Saving your Driver's License

Dallas, Texas, Driver's License Suspension Lawyer

After being charged with DWI, your first worries are probably about protecting your driver's license. How will you get to work? How will your family function? At Crain Lewis, LLP, we have helped countless people fight for their license at their Administrative License Revocation (ALR) hearing. Our attorneys have the experience and knowledge to present a clear case for saving your driver's license at DMV hearings.

Learn more about DWI at our DWI Information Center

Contact our offices in Dallas, Texas, for a free consultation about DWI defense and occupational driver's licenses if yours has already been suspended.

Contacting the Department of Motor Vehicles

After being charged with DWI, you only have fifteen calendar days to contact the DMV about scheduling an ALR hearing. In many ways, saving your driver's license at the ALR hearing is like fighting for an acquittal in your court case. There are several reasons why it is important to hire an experienced DWI attorney to call the DMV and schedule your hearing.

The most important reason is that an experienced lawyer will know what questions to ask and what strategies are most likely to succeed in challenging the license suspension. This includes knowing what kind of evidence and circumstances the officer is likely to accept. In addition, you may have an option about the type of ALR hearing is available. Your attorney may be able to represent you in your absence, or you may be required to attend. Another important consideration is that, unlike a court trial, you do not have protections against self-incrimination. At an ALR hearing, a simple slip of the tongue or an answer that you didn't intend can cost you a lot.

Presenting the evidence

Did you know that when you received your driver's license, you gave the state implied consent to submit to a breath or blood test if you are pulled over. Depending upon whether you failed or refused your breathalyzer or blood test, your ALR hearing will be governed by specific set of rules. If you failed your test, the ALR hearing officer will listen to evidence regarding the police officer's probable cause for stopping you and the evidence concerning the actual blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08% or above. If you refused your BAC test, your attorney will have some additional arguments and strategies for fighting the suspension. Arguments may include whether you were fully informed about the consequences and your rights under the law. Your lawyer will know what strategies and stories are most effective for the specific type of hearing applicable in your case.

Fighting to protect your driving privileges

Behind every DWI charge is a human story. The ALR officer will need to hear your story loudly and clearly. The purpose of an ALR hearing isn't to strip you of your privilege to drive. The purpose is to determine your level of danger on the road and whether suspending your driver's license for an extended period would pose a significant hardship beyond normal penalties. There are proven strategies that can be used to keep you driving while your DWI case is progressing through the judicial system. The best way to ensure that you have the best chance in an ALR hearing is to work with a qualified attorney to present the strongest case possible for letting you continue to drive.

Contact us to learn more about saving your driver's license and what to do next after you have been charged with DWI.