San Antonio DWI Attorney

Protecting Your Rights & Driving Privileges

It starts with spotting those flashing red and blue lights in your rearview mirror. Before you know it, your life could be upended after being charged with driving while intoxicated. DWI is a serious crime and the penalties can be severe. On top of the fines and potential jail time, you could even lose your license.

If you have been charged with DWI, now is the time to retain aggressive representation from an experienced criminal defense lawyer. Our DWI defense lawyer, Attorney Derek S. Ritchie, is a fierce and results-driven advocate for his clients. Competitive by nature, Derek does everything in his power to achieve positive results. He fights hard for what his clients want and is unafraid of the courtroom.

The Impact of a DWI Conviction

In Texas, DWI can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony. The circumstances of the incident will dictate the charges you face.

Though most DWI charges are misdemeanors, you could be facing felony charges if:

• You non-fatally injure someone
• Someone dies as the result of your drunken driving
• There is a child passenger in your vehicle at the time of the arrest
• It is your third or subsequent offense

No matter the charges against you, you could be penalized with jail time, fines, license suspension, mandatory drug or alcohol classes, and mandatory ignition interlock device installation.

Administrative License Revocation Hearings

In addition to a criminal trial, you’ll also be facing an administrative license revocation hearing (ALR hearing) if you are arrested for DWI. The Department of Public Safety holds ALR hearings to determine whether the charged driver will lose their driving privileges. You only have two weeks to schedule an ALR hearing after the date of your arrest, so act quickly. Failing to schedule a hearing could result in automatic license suspension.

Our San Antonio DWI lawyer can defend you in this hearing and present evidence as to why your license should not be suspended or revoked. We are dedicated to protecting our clients’ driving privileges.