If you’ve recently been arrested for driving while intoxicated (DWI) or driving under the influence (DUI) in Texas, you’re likely facing a stressful and overwhelming situation.
One of the most immediate concerns is the potential suspension of your driver’s license privileges. The good news is that there are options to protect your driving privileges, even in the face of an arrest.
Two of the most important options available to you are requesting an Administrative License Revocation (ALR) hearing and obtaining an Occupational Driver’s License (ODL).
But navigating the legal system, understanding your rights, and taking the necessary steps to secure these options can be complex. Here’s where hiring an experienced criminal defense attorney—like the team at Austin Hagee Law Firm—can make all the difference.
What is an Occupational Driver’s License (ODL)?
In Texas, if your license is suspended due to a DWI or DUI arrest, you may be eligible for an Occupational Driver’s License (ODL). This restricted license allows you to continue driving for certain necessary activities, such as:
- Driving to and from work
- Attending school
- Going to medical appointments
- Performing essential household duties
However, to apply for an ODL, it’s crucial that you take immediate action. If you fail to request an ALR hearing within fifteen (15) days of your arrest, your Texas driver’s license will be automatically suspended. But if you act quickly and hire an attorney within the first 14 days after your arrest, you may be able to avoid the suspension altogether or secure an ODL that allows you to maintain your daily driving activity without interruption.
Learn more about applying for an Occupational Driver’s License.
What is an ALR Hearing?
The Administrative License Revocation (ALR) hearing is a crucial part of your case after a DWI or DUI arrest. This hearing is your chance to challenge the arrest as well as the potential suspension of your driver’s license.
The hearing takes place before an administrative law judge and the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is the opposing party that tries to suspend an accused driver’s license. An ALR hearing gives you the opportunity to present evidence, argue your case, and potentially keep your license from being revoked.
However, the ALR hearing process is complicated and time-sensitive. If you don’t request the hearing within fifteen (15) days of your arrest, you risk an automatic statutory suspension of your license. This is why it’s imperative to hire an attorney—preferably within the first 14 days—who can guide you through the legal complexities, represent your interests, and help you avoid losing your driving privileges.
Discover the benefits of requesting an ALR hearing.
Pretrial Setting vs. Trial Setting: Understanding the Difference
In the Texas criminal justice system, pretrial settings and trial settings play distinct roles in the handling of your DWI or DUI case. We’ll go over the differences below.
Pretrial Setting
The pretrial settings are one of the most critical moments in your DWI or DUI case, and it’s where having an experienced and skilled criminal defense attorney can make all the difference.
After your arrest, the pretrial hearing is the first significant step in your case. During this hearing, the court sets timelines for motions, discovery, and pretrial procedural matters. It’s also where your attorney will have the opportunity to discuss the charges, challenge evidence, and, importantly, begin negotiations with the prosecution if a plea bargain is desired.
This is a pivotal time for your defense strategy. A highly skilled attorney will leverage this stage to their advantage by using their negotiation expertise to pursue the best possible outcome for you. This can look like negotiating a plea deal, securing a diversion program (like pretrial diversion, a conditional dismissal, or deferred adjudication), or identifying weaknesses in the prosecution’s case.
These early-stage negotiations often set the tone for the entire case, and the offers you receive during this phase can significantly influence the final outcome.
The truth is, this is a moment where experience and strategy matter most. A seasoned criminal defense lawyer knows how to advocate on your behalf and secure favorable offers that can help you avoid the long-term consequences of a conviction—whether that’s reduced charges, a plea deal, or even getting the case dismissed altogether through advocacy with strategic mitigation evidence.
Trial Setting
While the trial setting is the final stage of the legal process, where the case is presented before a judge or jury, most cases are resolved prior to trial.
By the time your case is set for trial, the stakes are much higher, as well as the risks of an unfavorable outcome. This is especially true if you haven’t had a skilled attorney representing your interests throughout the pretrial and discovery process.
That’s why pretrial negotiations are so critical—because they allow your attorney to resolve matters early, and raise exculpatory pieces of evidence, long before you end up in front of a judge and jury at trial.
Why Hire a Skilled Criminal Defense Attorney?
Hiring a skilled criminal defense attorney to handle the pretrial phase gives you the best opportunity to resolve your case without going to trial, saving you time, stress, and money. Experienced lawyers know when to push for a favorable plea deal, when to challenge evidence, and when to fight a case aggressively at trial.
In other words, a skilled attorney knows how to work behind the scenes during pretrial settings to achieve a positive outcome before your case goes to trial. If trial becomes necessary, you’ll want a team of attorneys that has secured trial wins on similar cases and knows how to properly best present your case.
The earlier you secure top-tier legal representation, the better the chances of keeping your case out of the courtroom and ensuring the best possible resolution. However, if trial becomes necessary, it is best to have an attorney that is skilled and comfortable presenting a case in a courtroom.
Understanding these distinctions is important because the pretrial stage is often where skilled negotiation and careful review of the evidence can result in a more favorable outcome.
Many court appointed attorneys don’t do poorly for their clients because they are not good attorneys, they do poorly because they don’t have enough time to properly review case evidence and speak to their clients.
A strong defense attorney can help ensure that your case is thoroughly prepared during the pretrial phase while communicating with you effectively and regularly, increasing the likelihood of a favorable result—whether that means a reduced charge, dismissal, diversion program or taking your case to trial with a greater chance of success.
Why Choose Austin Hagee Law Firm?
At Austin Hagee Law Firm, we understand the complexities of DWI and DUI cases. We have handled thousands of these types of charges. Our experienced team is committed to:
- Providing thorough representation at your ALR hearing
- Crafting a customized defense strategy
- Assisting with Occupational Driver’s License applications
- Keeping you informed throughout the legal process
- Helping you secure the best possible outcome pretrial or at trial
With many years of experience and a track record of success, we work tirelessly to secure the best outcomes for our clients.
Why Settle for Less? Choose a Premier Attorney from Austin Hagee Law Firm
Navigating the complexities of a DWI or DUI case can be overwhelming, but having an experienced criminal defense attorney by your side makes all the difference. At Austin Hagee Law Firm, we bring years of experience as prosecutors and defense attorneys, negotiation expertise, and a deep understanding of the Texas legal system to every case we handle. We work tirelessly during every pretrial setting to secure the best outcome for you. At our firm, our work is not just a job it’s our calling.
Don’t leave your future in the hands of a public defender with limited time and resources. The decisions made in your case’s early stages will directly impact your life moving forward. Hire a dedicated, experienced criminal defense attorney who will fight for you every step of the way and ensure you have the best possible chance for a favorable outcome in the long run.
Why You Need a Hired Criminal Defense Attorney: Court-Appointed Lawyers May Not Be Enough
While public defenders or court-appointed attorneys can provide some level of representation, they often have large caseloads and limited time to devote to your case. This means that phone calls or emails may not ever be responded to or reviewed prior to trial.
With a DWI or DUI arrest, you need an attorney who will invest the necessary time and resources into your defense and have an experienced team in place ready to take on your case.
Hiring a private attorney, particularly a firm like Austin Hagee Law Firm, ensures you receive the personal attention your case deserves. Our team will provide the following:
- Timely and thorough representation at your ALR hearing to protect your license.
- A customized defense strategy to fight the charges or pursue a favorable outcome such as deferred adjudication, pretrial diversion, or a dismissal.
- Availability of more than one attorney working on your case.
- Access to our skilled paralegal and legal assistant team to help
- Assistance with Occupational Driver’s License applications, allowing you to continue your essential daily activities even if your license is suspended.
- Ongoing updates throughout your case—so you never feel left in the dark.
The Long, Tedious Process: How We Can Help
Navigating the legal process after a DWI or DUI arrest in Texas is a long, tedious journey. Achieving a dismissal, a deferred adjudication, or even a favorable plea deal is no easy task. It requires meticulous preparation, skillful negotiation, and the ability to handle complicated legal proceedings. This is where Austin Hagee Law Firm excels.
We are one of the highest-rated law firms in South Texas, known for our professionalism, client care, and exceptional results. We provide white-glove treatment to our clients and ensure that you are kept informed every step of the way. Our team works tirelessly to ensure that your rights are protected and that you have the best possible chance of a positive outcome.
Affordable Payment Plans: Quality Representation Within Reach
We understand that hiring a top-tier law firm may seem like a financial burden, especially during a difficult time. That’s why Austin Hagee Law Firm offers flexible payment plans designed to make quality legal representation accessible. You don’t have to sacrifice the quality of your defense because of financial constraints. We work with you to ensure that you receive the best possible defense, without having to pay everything upfront.
Take Action Now to Protect Your Driving Privileges
Time is critical in protecting your driving privileges. If you’ve been arrested for a DWI or DUI in Texas, the clock is ticking. You only have 14 days to take action before your license is suspended. Hiring an experienced attorney from the start is crucial to protect your driving privileges and secure the best possible outcome for your case.
At Austin Hagee Law Firm, we are committed to providing each client a top-notch legal defense, offering affordable payment options, and guiding you through the complex legal process every step of the way. We pride ourselves on our outstanding client results, exceptional client care, and our ability to go the extra mile for our clients.
Don’t face the DWI or DUI process alone. Contact us today by filling our online form or calling us at 210-796-7489 to schedule a consultation, and let us help you fight for your rights, your freedom, and your future.
Austin M. Hagee is a trusted and proven San Antonio trial lawyer who tirelessly defends his clients’ constitutional rights. As a former prosecutor turned nationally recognized criminal defense attorney, Austin has the knowledge and expertise to get the best possible outcome for his clients.
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