After a Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) arrest, Texas law allows your driver’s license to be suspended through the Administrative License Revocation (ALR) program. ALR suspension is a separate suspension from the license suspension related to your criminal charges, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety. If you are convicted, those penalties will likely include a suspension period as well.
DWI is a serious charge that can result in steep consequences, which may include thousands of dollars in fines, jail time, and the loss of your driving privileges. If you were arrested for a DWI violation in Texas and are facing an ALR license suspension, it is important to make sure your rights are protected throughout the process. Even if it is your first offense, you face the possibility of losing your driving privileges.
A Lewisville ALR suspended license lawyer may be able to assist you if you are seeking information and legal guidance after a DWI. Contact the legal team at the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg at (214) 696-9253 today to learn more about the potential of your case and what options may be available to you. Our practice offers a sincere approach to helping clients facing DWIs, and with a focus on defense, we may be able to represent you in your case.
The Process of ALR After a DWI or BWI
If you are pulled over by a law enforcement officer and they have reasonable suspicion that you may be impaired due to intoxication, they will begin a series of tests to determine your level of sobriety. If these tests are not passed, they will likely proceed to arrest you for DWI.
If the officer requests a breath test or a blood test to determine your blood alcohol concentration and you refuse, this will cause an automatic suspension of your license. The officer will then confiscate your driver’s license, issue a notice of suspension, and issue you a temporary permit for driving.
Consequences for Driving While Intoxicated in Texas
If you have been arrested for DWI, you are probably facing an ALR suspended license. What this means is your driver’s license has been suspended or disqualified for use. You will likely face an automatic ALR suspension if:
- You refuse to take a breath test or blood test when requested by an officer
- Your breath test or blood test indicates a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher when operating a non-commercial vehicle, as stated by the Texas Department of Transportation
- Your blood test or breath test registers a BAC of 0.04% or higher while operating a commercial vehicle, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
If you were arrested for DWI, call (214) 696-9253 today for your free consultation with the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg.
How a Lawyer Can Help With Your ALR License Suspension Hearing
Any charge of DWI in Texas will include an automatic suspension of one’s driver’s license. While an ALR suspension is an automatic consequence after a DWI, there are some ways to contest it. If you have been arrested for DWI, you have 15 days to request a hearing to contest your ALR suspension. If this short deadline is missed, your license will be suspended as of the 40th day after you received your suspension notice. Typically, this is 40 days after the date of your arrest. Due to the immense importance of the ALR hearing, you should do everything in your power to ensure it occurs.
The ALR hearing allows you to petition to keep your driving privileges, or to obtain an occupational driver’s license, in the event you cannot avoid a license suspension. An occupational license will enable you to drive only in connection with your employment, school/educational activities, and performing necessary household duties while your license is suspended.
If you work with a Lewisville ALR suspended license lawyer, they may be able to help you throughout this process. The initial ALR hearing may be an excellent opportunity for your defense team to gather evidence in your favor. During this hearing, they may be able to determine if the officer who arrested you truly had reasonable suspicion to pull you over. In the event it seems as though there will not be enough evidence to win your case, we can begin the process of developing a strategy to execute a plea deal.
Contact the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg for ALR Representation
The consequences of a DWI are severe, and they may impact your life in many ways. Your ability to perform daily tasks, as well as get to and from work and/or school, may be at risk. If you were arrested for DWI, you should keep in mind that the ALR suspension will occur if you do not take action to contest it. Not all DWI charges are the same, so it is important to keep in mind that managing your case will require a careful strategy if you are seeking options for maintaining driving privileges.
If you would like to have the assistance of an attorney for your ALR hearing, contact the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg at (214) 696-9253. A legal professional from our team can review your case and determine if a defense strategy is possible. We will aim to build a strong case to help you regain your driving privileges. We have a history of focus on criminal defense cases, and a Lewisville ALR suspended license lawyer from our team may be able to help with your case. Reach out to our offices today to learn more.
