DWI and DUI
Pulled over, tested, and handed a court date
A DWI arrest starts two cases at once: the criminal charge in court, and your driver's license with the state. The license side often has the shorter deadline, so call before it passes.
I start with the stop itself. Why did the officer pull you over? Was the breath machine maintained and the operator certified? Were the field tests done on level ground, in decent light, with the instructions given right? Most of the answers are on video, and I get the video before the first hearing.
How a DWI case goes
From the night of the stop to the last hearing
Most first-offense cases follow these steps. I'll tell you where yours is at each one.
- 01
Request the license hearing
There's a short window to ask for an administrative hearing on your license. I file the request and, where it helps, ask about a hardship license so you can still get to work.
- 02
Get the video and the records
Dash and body camera video, the breath machine's records, the officer's report. I request all of it in writing.
- 03
Look for the weak link
An unlawful stop, a test given wrong, a gap in the paperwork. One is often enough to get evidence thrown out or the charge reduced.
- 04
Decide with you
A plea offer, a diversion program, or a trial. I lay out each one, what it costs you and what it leaves on your record, and you choose.
What drivers ask after a DWI stop
I refused the breath test. Is that worse?
It's different. A refusal usually means a longer license suspension, but there's no breath number for the state to use at trial. It changes what we look at first.
Will I lose my license?
Not always, and not always for long. Asking for the license hearing in time is the first step; a restricted license is often possible while the case goes on.
It's my second DWI. Can you still help?
Yes. The stakes are higher and the deadlines matter more, so call as soon as you can. The same questions about the stop and the testing apply.
Is DUI the same as DWI?
Different states use different names for the same kind of charge. What matters is the statute you were charged under, and I'll read that with you.
Tell me the date on your ticket
The license deadline counts from the arrest, not the court date. Call or text, and I'll tell you how many days you have.