Arrested for Drunk Driving?
DWI / DUI

281-332-5600

Choosing the
Right Lawyer

Texas DWI laws
are both political
and complex.
Know Your Rights!

Ten Mistakes

How to avoid 10 of the biggest mistakes most people make after being arrested for Drunk Driving.
DWI / DUI

Police Mistakes

Mistakes the police make . . . and how they can help you.

What Happens Next After A DWI Arrest?

There are usually both Motor Vehicle & Court Proceedings required when a DWI or Drunk Driving citation has been issued.

DWI Facts

A Summary of Texas Administrative License Suspension Laws DWI and "Administrative License Revocation" in the State of Texas

Fighting Your
Texas DWI

Still Undecided
about fighting
for your Texas
drivers license?

Please Read This

Christian Samuelson
Attorney At Law

955 Gemini Avenue
Houston, Texas 77058

(281) 332-5600 Office

Texas DWI Law DWI Defense Trial Attorney

Facts & Questions Regarding DWI Law in The State of Texas

Why is the Texas DWI law so vigorously enforced?

There are tremendous societal pressures to make DWI arrests in the State of Texas. MADD puts a great deal of pressure on the County Attorney and Police Departments to get “tough” on people that drink and drive.

When should I hire a criminal defense attorney experienced in DWI?

Immediately. Texas law requires that a request for a hearing to keep your license must be made within 15 days from the date of your DWI arrest. If you fail to hire an attorney, and a hearing is not requested, you waive the opportunity to fight the license suspension. In short, the sooner you act the better chance I will have in providing the best criminal DWI defense you need.

I was arrested for DWI in Texas. Is my license automatically suspended?

No. However, if you refused to provide a sample of your breath or blood, or if you provided a sample and they say it had an alcohol concentration of .08 or greater, and a hearing is not requested to fight the DWI suspension, it will be suspended.

Is there any benefit in requesting an Administrative License Revocation (ALR) Hearing?

Absolutely. We have been able to keep a large number of our clients here in Texas from ever having their license suspended. Also, it is the first and probably only opportunity that we will have to speak to the officer and get “his story” before the prosecutors have a chance to coach the officer.

If my license is suspended for a DWI, can I get a license to drive to work?

In almost every case, yes. Depending on your criminal and driving record, we can almost always get you an Occupational Driver’s License that will allow you to drive to and from work. It will also allow you to drive between locations, if your job requires you to travel as part of your duties.

I got a Texas DWI and I have never been in trouble before. Am I going to jail?

Probably not. All cases are different, and I will have to look at your specific facts, but in most cases, I can successfully fight to keep you out of jail.

What part of your practice is devoted to defending Texas DWI cases?

Nearly every one of my cases is a DWI case. Texas DWI laws and techniques in defending DWI are constantly changing. What worked yesterday may not be the best approach today. It is important to find a lawyer who stays on top of the current Texas DWI laws, trends, and what occurs in Courts everyday. Also, I concentrate my Continuing Legal Education on DWI specific seminars, rather than general criminal law issues.

Are you skilled in the proper administration of Standardized Field Sobriety Tests?

Yes. As an experienced Texas DWI Attorney I have completed training for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) standardized field sobriety tests. This will allow me to better evaluate how you did on the tests, and more importantly, evaluate how the police officer administered them. This is important because most DWI prosecutions involve results of "field sobriety tests," some of which have been the subject of scientific studies conducted by the NHTSA.

Are you familiar with the breath test machine, the Intoxilyzer 5000, used in Texas?

To a true DWI defense attorney, a failed breath test in no way means you are guilty. I understand how the breath test machine works, what can cause you to submit an erroneously high reading, the philosophy behind breath testing, and how alcohol is absorbed and eliminated from the body. This is often the difference between a guilty and Not Guilty verdict. If you are serious about being found Not Guilty, it is a must that your lawyer be very knowledgeable about alcohol and the human body and its affect on breath testing.

Can you get my DWI case dismissed?

It would be unethical for me to promise that I will get your DWI case dismissed. That being said, my goal will be to get your case dismissed, keep your record clean, and prevent you from losing your freedom, dignity, and license to drive.

What happens after a DWI arrest in Texas?

Administrative License Revocation:

To preserve your right to drive in Texas, you must request a hearing within 15 days of when you were served with a Notice of Suspension (usually the date of arrest). If you timely requested a hearing to contest your license suspension, you will be able to continue driving until the hearing. If you lose at the hearing, you can not drive after the hearing. It is our opinion you should requests the officer's presence at the hearing. Crucial defenses can be developed at the hearing. If your license is suspended at the hearing, you may be able to secure an occupational license to drive.

1st Appearance:

If you have been arrested and released for a misdemeanor DWI, you will be given a date to return to court (usually 30 days after your arrest). If you hire an attorney, the attorney can usually make this appearance for you, so that you do not have to attend. During this 30 day period, the case is sent to the County Attorney's office for further investigation. The County Attorney then prepares an information and files this with the County Clerk, and your case is set on the court's docket.

Pre-trial Conference:

Your attorney will discuss your case with the County Attorney to discuss the best possible resolution of your case. This conference will happen about 8-10 weeks after your 1st Appearance date.

Suppression Hearing:

The Court may suppress some or all of the evidence against you if your constitutional rights have been violated. Your attorney will file motions to suppress. It occurs anywhere from 6 weeks to 3 months after the pre-trial conference.

Trial:

You may either request a bench trial wherein the court hears the case or a jury trial wherein a jury of your peers hears the case. If the case is a misdemeanor, the trial will be to a jury of six. If the case is a felony, the jury will be to a jury of twelve.

Sentencing:

The Court imposes a sentence after a conviction at trial or after a plea bargain is accepted and a plea entered. Sentences may include jail time, numerous fees, fines, community service, alcohol classes and fines.

Information you NEED to know about a DWI or DUI in Texas Texas DWI / DUI

CHRISTIAN C. SAMUELSON

Texas DWI Criminal Defense Attorney

(281) 332 - 5600

Christian Samuelson criminal defense trial attorney in Houston, Texas practices law in Drunk Driving (DWI) and Driving Under The Influence (DUI) in the state of Texas. Covering counties Harris, Galveston, Montgomery, Fort Bend, Liberty, Chambers, Brazoria, Washington, Jefferson. The cities we primarily service are: Houston, Galveston, Clear Lake, Texas City, Santa Fe, Alvin, Angleton, Freeport, Lamarque, Kemah, Seabrook, Clear Lake Shores, Bacliff, League City, Friendswood, Pearland, Manvell, Sugarland, Richmond, Conroe, Spring, Anahuac, Dayton, Liberty, Spring Branch, Laporte, Pasadena, West University Place, Katy, Bellaire, Beaumont, Bryan, College Station, Navasota..