Arrested for DWI in Texas? Here’s What Happens Next

Being arrested for driving while intoxicated is frightening, and the days that follow move quickly. In Texas, a DWI charge actually triggers two separate matters — a criminal case and a driver’s license case — and one of them has a very short deadline.

Two cases, not one

Most people focus on the criminal charge, but an arrest can also start an Administrative License Revocation (ALR) proceeding through the Texas Department of Public Safety. If you refused or failed a breath or blood test, your license can be suspended — but you generally have only 15 days from the date of notice to request a hearing to contest it. Missing that deadline can mean an automatic suspension.

What the criminal process looks like

A Texas DWI case typically moves through several stages: arrest and booking, release on bond, an arraignment where charges are formally read, pretrial hearings where evidence is examined, and — if the case does not resolve — trial. The potential penalties depend on the circumstances, including whether it is a first offense and whether anyone was injured.

Your rights matter at every step

• You have the right to remain silent — you are not required to answer questions beyond identifying yourself.
• You have the right to an attorney.
• The State must prove its case, and the evidence can be challenged.

Evidence is not always as solid as it seems

Breath and blood tests, field sobriety tests, and the traffic stop itself all have rules that must be followed. Was there a lawful reason for the stop? Was the testing equipment properly maintained and operated? Were procedures followed? A careful defense looks closely at each of these questions.

How we can help

Youngs Rosillo Law defends people accused of DWI throughout the Rio Grande Valley, in English and Spanish. We review the stop, the testing, and the evidence, protect your rights at every stage, and work toward the best outcome available under the facts of your case. Consultations are free and confidential.

Disclaimer: This article is provided for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice, nor does it create an attorney–client relationship. Laws change and every case turns on its own facts. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. For advice about your specific situation, consult a licensed Texas attorney. Attorney advertising.