After a DWI arrest, law enforcement will take your license and issue you a temporary permit. You can fight this license suspension, but you must do so quickly. The Administrative License Revocation (ALR) hearing determines whether you will lose your driver’s license (and for how long, if so) after you get arrested for DWI in Highland Park. This civil proceeding takes place separately from the criminal portions of your case.
Having an ALR suspended license lawyer in Highland Park on your side can help you fight to keep your driving privileges, but it can also help your criminal case in several significant ways. At the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg, we represent clients in all aspects of their Highland Park DWI cases.
To schedule a complimentary consultation, contact us today at 214-696-9253.
Understanding the ALR Suspended License Hearing & Process
The Texas Department of Public Safety (TxDPS) oversees the Administrative License Revocation (ALR) proceedings. This administrative process occurs separately from the criminal portion of your case. An administrative law judge will run the hearing, which will likely take place at the State Office of Administrative Hearings location nearest your arrest location.
You trigger the ALR process if, during a traffic stop for DWI, you fail (you blow a 0.08 or above) or refuse a chemical test for blood alcohol concentration (BAC). At that time, the arresting officer will issue you a DIC-25 form, Notice of Suspension Temporary Driving Permit. If you fail to schedule a hearing within 15 days of your arrest, you will be unable to fight your license suspension.
At the ALR hearing, you have the opportunity to present evidence, as does TxDPS. Based on the evidence and testimony provided, the judge will rule on the disposition of your driver’s license.
What Your ALR Suspended License Lawyer Will Do for You
The ALR suspended license hearing is your one opportunity to argue against the suspension of your license. If you do not schedule your hearing within the time allotted — or if you fail to present sufficient evidence as to why TxDPS should not suspend your license — you will lose your driving privileges.
When you choose the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg to represent you, you can feel confident that we will handle every aspect of the ALR process. We will protect your rights and fight for the best possible outcome in your case.
Among the services we provide for our ALR hearing clients are the following:
- Protecting your legal rights
- Scheduling your ALR hearing
- Requesting discovery
- Subpoenaing witnesses
- Preparing your case (and you) for the hearing
- Making your case at the hearing
- Appealing or petitioning for an occupational license (if necessary)
In addition to determining what happens to your license, the ALR hearing serves another critical purpose related to your criminal case. This hearing provides an invaluable opportunity for us to discover the basis of the prosecution’s case. The prosecutor in your criminal proceeding will base their case on the same evidence presented at the ALR hearing.
Once we learn what that evidence is, we can use this information to guide our DWI defense strategies and prepare our case.
Possible ALR Driver’s License Suspension Duration in Highland Park
The length of time you risk losing your license depends on whether you have any prior DWI offenses and any aggravating circumstances that may apply in your case. The duration of our suspension also depends on whether you refused or failed your chemical BAC testing. The potential time for license suspension is:
First Offense 90 days to 6 months
Subsequent Offenses 1 to 2 years
For underage drivers, the potential suspension durations are as follows:
First Offense 2 to 6 months
Subsequent Offenses 120 days to 2 years
Aggravating circumstances that could extend the length of your license suspension include the following:
- You had a BAC reading of 0.15 or above
- You had an open container
- You had a minor child passenger (age 14 or below)
- You caused an accident with property damage, injuries, or a fatality
How to Request an ALR Suspended License Hearing in Highland Park
Your options for scheduling the ALR hearing include phone, fax, mail, and online form. You will find details and instructions for each option on the DIC-25 form. Unfortunately, the process requires you to provide extensive information when submitting your request. If you do not have all the information or you leave any fields blank, TxDPS will likely reject your request.
Should TxDPS deny your request for a hearing — or if your request gets lost in the mail — it will advise you by mail, using the last official address it has on file for you. If that notice arrives after your allotted time expires, you may lose your right to appeal.
Having our legal team handle this process for you takes away the guesswork and gives you peace of mind that your hearing will take place.
ALR Appeals & Occupational Licenses
If the judge rules to suspend (or if TxDPS already suspended your license), our legal team can handle your appeal.
We can also petition the court on your behalf for an occupational or essential needs license. This type of license allows you to drive to work, to school and school-related activities, and for the performance of necessary household duties such as grocery shopping or going to the bank.
If you have previous driver’s license suspensions, TxDPS may impose a waiting period ranging from 90 days to one year. In addition to any fees necessary for this license, the court may also require you to install an ignition interlock device on your vehicles as a condition of granting you a provisional license.
Having our legal team on your side to fight for your license may help you avoid these and other potential pitfalls and hassles that come with getting your license suspended.
Speak to an ALR Suspended License Lawyer in Highland Park Today for Free
The Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg provides no-cost, no-obligation consultation, to discuss your case and identify potential options for protecting your driving privileges.
To learn more about how a DWI lawyer can help you keep your license in Highland Park, contact us today at 214-696-9253.
