Galveston Administrative License Revocation (ALR) Hearing Attorney

Galveston ALR Hearing Lawyer

Administrative license revocation (ALR) hearings are not always talked about, but they are a tool for those facing a DWI charge to possibly get their driving privileges back in certain situations. While winning one of these hearings is not common, it could lead to you keeping your driving privileges while awaiting your criminal trial for a DWI in Galveston, TX.

If you request an administrative license revocation hearing, you need a Galveston ALR hearing attorney and law firm to handle the case.

At the Law Office of Joseph Ruiz, PLLC, we have experience working on all parts of a DWI case. We can handle your Galveston administrative license revocation hearing and give you a chance to get your license back.

The Law Office of Joseph Ruiz, PLLC: Administrative License Revocation Hearing Attorney

Joseph Ruiz has been handling DWI cases for much of his career, and he’s familiar with all parts of the process, including ALR hearings. Mr. Ruiz has argued in over 325 jury trials and worked on over 1,000 cases in his career.

We know that it takes more than just legal knowledge to mount an effective defense in court. You also need to have empathy and understanding with the client. Our firm always personalizes our defense to the accused and works to create effective defenses for our clients.

What Is an Administrative License Revocation Hearing?

In some situations, you can request an administrative license revocation hearing after a DWI arrest. If an officer arrests you for DWI, you must submit to a test to determine if you are intoxicated. However, an officer may ask you to submit yourself to a breath or blood test without being under arrest.

If you refuse to take the test, the officer will give you a temporary license and inform you of an impending suspension of your driving privileges. You have 15 days from the incident to file for an ALR hearing. You do not need to file for these hearings, but we recommend it.

You can also request an ALR hearing if law enforcement found that you had a blood alcohol content of over .08 percent.

When the police arrest someone for DWI, the case takes on both a civil and criminal character. The criminal aspect deals with fines and potential jail time, while the civil case will be with the Texas Department of Public Safety. The ALR hearing will see your attorney contend with the DPS to discuss your license revocation.

Using the ALR Hearing in Your Criminal Case

Even if you are not interested in stopping the suspension of your license, you should request an ALR hearing. One of the most important aspects of these meetings is the effect that they can have on the criminal trial.

The civil and criminal cases against you following a DWI charge do not affect one another. However, the information that you reveal during an ALR hearing may help during the criminal trial.

Attorneys use an ALR hearing to aid in the discovery process. During the hearing, they can question law enforcement and get documents that can be used in the criminal trial. An officer may say something that helps your case, or your attorney can find a document early and plan how to talk around it.

With the right plan, an ALR hearing may help in the criminal trial, regardless of the outcome of the hearing itself.

Should I Hire a Lawyer for My Administrative License Revocation Hearing?

While you could represent yourself at an ALR hearing, we don’t recommend it, and almost nobody does. We believe that most people should avoid showing up to their ALR hearing and just let the lawyers handle the case.

If you show up to your ALR hearing, the prosecution may ask you to testify about the arrest, and you may end up saying something incriminating that you didn’t intend to. Both the defense and prosecution will use the hearing to gain any advantage that they can in the criminal trial, so the less you say, the better.

Having an experienced Galveston administrative license revocation hearing attorney and law firm on board can let you ignore the hearing and focus on taking care of yourself in the lead-up to the criminal trial.

Driver License Suspension FAQs

Q: Can I Win an ALR Hearing in Texas?

A: You can win an ALR hearing in Texas, but it is very difficult. Most people will not be able to stop the suspension of their license at an ALR hearing, but it is worth a try. At the very least, you will be able to delay the suspension for a few months by requesting an ALR hearing. Your lawyer may also discover important information during the hearing that they can use during the trial.

Q: How Long Do You Have to Request an ALR Hearing in Texas?

A: After a DWI arrest in Texas, you have 15 days to request an ALR hearing. 15 days is a short time frame, which means that you need to speak with a Galveston administrative license revocation hearing attorney and law firm as soon as possible. Any DWI case needs to be addressed as quickly as possible, so make sure that you make arrangements after any arrest or traffic stop.

Q: What Happens at an ALR Hearing in Texas?

A: At an ALR hearing, the defense can try to halt the suspension of your license by attempting to find out if the police flaunted regulations and rules during the traffic stop. Your attorney can question officers to determine if they followed all the proper procedures and had reasonable doubt to make an arrest or any search. These hearings also allow the defense to discover any information that might benefit them at the trial.

Q: How Do I Request a Hearing for a Suspended License in Texas?

A: You can request an ALR hearing on the Department of Public Safety’s website within 15 days of obtaining a notice of license suspension. You may also speak with an attorney and ask them to handle the process for you. The DPS will take up to 4 months to finalize the request and meeting time. During this period, you are free to drive your car using your license.

Contact the Law Office of Joseph Ruiz, PLLC

ALR hearings are an important tool for defense attorneys when fighting a DWI charge. A seasoned Galveston administrative license revocation hearing attorney and law firm can help you keep your license during a DWI charge. Contact us today for a consultation and to begin the legal process of requesting an ALR hearing.