1. Failing to Request a Hearing on your Driver’s License. The first thing you MUST do after you are arrested for DWI is to request a driver’s license hearing (ALR Hearing) within 15 days of your arrest.  It is common for people to neglect to request this hearing or not request it properly.  Failure to request this hearing in a proper, timely manner will result in the automatic suspension of your driving privileges and possible additional criminal charges.  We will request an ALR hearing free of charge for any person who interviews with our office.

2. Not hiring an attorney who specializes in DWI defense. DWI laws are complicated. Not all attorneys are as up to date on Texas DWI laws as our attorneys.  Nothing beats hard-earned experience when dealing with prosecutors, judges and trained police officers.  You want the best representing you when your freedom and good name is on the line.  Selecting experienced DWI lawyers is the best way to protect your future

3. Hiring an attorney based on the amount of the fee alone. You get what you pay for!  Any attorney can take your money, walk you in front of the judge and tell you to plead guilty.  These are usually the attorneys who charge the least amount.  A good attorney will cost you more because they will actually do work on your case and adequately defend your rights.  Instead of asking “how much do you cost,” you should ask “what is your experience with DWI case” and “how are you going to fight for me.”

4. Not taking your arrest seriously.  If you are convicted for DWI, you could lose your driving privileges, be forced to go to jail, pay large fines, have increased insurance rates, lose your current job or future job opportunities, denied access to continuing education opportunities, pay huge surcharges every year to drive in Texas, and have a criminal conviction on your record for the rest of your life.

5. Driving after your license has been taken away.  If you fail to request an ALR hearing or fail to obtain an occupational driver’s license, you will be charged with another criminal offense if you are caught operating a vehicle.

6. Not reviewing all the evidence against you before deciding to plea guilty.  The State MUST give you all police reports, video, lab reports, and any other evidence they have and intend to use against you in its case.  If you make a decision to plead guilty before reviewing ALL of the evidence, you are making a big mistake.

7. Failing to appear in Court at your designated court dates. If you do not go to court when you are required to, the judge will most likely revoke your bond, issue a warrant for your arrest, and possibly require you to remain in jail until your case is over.

8. Thinking you can negotiate with the State prosecutors yourself.  Negotiating a plea deal is not like buying a car or a house.  The prosecutors do not have your best interest in mind.  They don’t have to tell you if the State has problems with their evidence, witnesses, or the case.  They DO HAVE TO tell those things to a defense attorney.  Many times, a case that may be dismissed due to problems with evidence will actually result in a plea of guilty because a person negotiated the case without the help of an attorney.

9. Taking the prosecutor's first offer. The first is usually always the highest offer.  More often than not, the prosecutor who wrote the offer did not even review the facts of your case.  Usually, once a well respected attorney points out some weaknesses in the State’s case, the offer comes down dramatically.

10. Think that talking to numerous attorneys will help you handle it on your own. You need to have an attorney go to Court with you.