Experienced Fort Bend DWI Lawyers
Fighting for Your Rights
In Texas, you can be charged with DWI if your blood alcohol concentration is 0.08% or higher—or even lower if police believe alcohol or drugs have impaired your mental or physical abilities. You don’t need to be driving recklessly or cause an accident to be arrested; officers can act based on behavior, field tests, or chemical results. With serious consequences at stake, knowing your rights and legal options early is critical.
Understanding What Happens After a DWI Arrest
If you’ve been arrested for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) in Fort Bend County, the road ahead may feel confusing and overwhelming. At The Law Office of Ross Torres, we break down the DWI defense process so you know what to expect, what your rights are, and how we can help you fight for the best outcome.
Step 1: The Arrest and Booking
The DWI defense process typically begins with a traffic stop or checkpoint. If the officer suspects you’re under the influence, they may administer field sobriety tests or a breath test. Should they believe there is probable cause, you’ll be arrested and taken into custody for booking. At this stage, it’s vital to remember your rights. You are not required to answer questions or perform sobriety tests without legal counsel. Anything you say or do can be used against you, so staying silent and requesting an attorney is always the best approach.
Step 2: The ALR Hearing and License Suspension
Texas has a separate civil process known as the Administrative License Revocation (ALR). Following your arrest, the state may try to suspend your driver’s license—even before your case goes to court. You have only 15 days from the date of your arrest to request an ALR hearing. If you miss this deadline, your license will be automatically suspended. As your defense team, we immediately file the request and represent you in the hearing, challenging the suspension and protecting your driving privileges.
Step 3: Arraignment and First Court Appearance
The next formal step is the arraignment, which is your first appearance in court. Here, the judge reads the charges against you and you enter a plea—most often “not guilty.” This step is also when we begin demanding the prosecution’s evidence, which may include police reports, video footage, and the results of any breath or blood tests. This early discovery process is critical for identifying any procedural issues or weaknesses in the case.
Step 4: Investigating the Evidence
Once we have access to the state’s evidence, we launch a thorough investigation into every detail of your arrest. We look at whether the traffic stop was lawful, whether field sobriety tests were properly administered, and whether chemical testing was done according to strict scientific standards. If any part of the arrest violated your rights or proper protocol, we file motions to suppress that evidence. Our goal is to weaken the prosecution’s case before it ever reaches a jury.
Step 5: Negotiation or Trial
After evaluating the evidence, we assess the best strategy moving forward. In many cases, we’re able to negotiate a favorable resolution, such as reduced charges or alternative sentencing options. However, if the prosecution refuses to offer a fair deal—or if your case deserves to be fully contested—we are fully prepared to take your case to trial. At trial, we challenge every aspect of the state’s case and advocate for a full acquittal.
Get the Defense You Deserve
DWI charges in Fort Bend County move quickly—and the penalties can follow you for years. At The Law Office of Ross Torres, our Fort Bend DWI defense team knows the local courts and fights aggressively to protect your freedom, license, and future. Call today for a free consultation and start building your DWI defense.
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