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If you've been arrested for Driving While Intoxicated in Montgomery County, you are probably facing a lot of uncertainty and stress. One of the first questions people ask is whether they really need a criminal defense attorney for a DWI. The short answer is yes — and it's worth a few minutes to explain why hiring a lawyer for a DWI in Texas isn't just a good idea, it's essential. Unlike a minor traffic matter, a DWI arrest carries serious consequences, both immediate and long-term.

Why a DWI Is Not Just a Traffic Ticket

It's tempting to think you can handle a DWI the way you'd handle a speeding ticket — plead it out, pay a fine, and move on. But a DWI is a criminal offense, a Class B misdemeanor in most first-offense cases, and a conviction can mean:

  • Up to 180 days in jail
  • A fine of up to $2,000
  • A mandatory driver's license suspension
  • A permanent criminal record
  • Loss of employment or a professional license
  • Higher insurance rates
  • Long-term consequences for immigration, housing, and background checks

If your alcohol concentration was 0.15 or higher, or you had a child passenger in the car, the charge can be enhanced to a Class A misdemeanor or even a felony.

A DWI Is Really Two Cases at Once

Anyone has the right to represent themselves in a Texas court, but DWI cases are procedurally complex because you are fighting on two fronts at the same time.

The first is the criminal case, handled by the County Court at Law in Montgomery County, where the State is seeking a conviction and you face jail, probation, or both. The second is the Administrative License Revocation (ALR), a separate action in which the Texas Department of Public Safety tries to suspend your driver's license. You have only 15 days from the date of arrest to request an ALR hearing. Miss that deadline and your license can be suspended automatically — even if you are later found not guilty. Most court-appointed attorneys do not handle ALR hearings, which means that without a private attorney your license may be suspended by default.

What an Experienced DWI Lawyer Does for You

At Brian Foley Law PLLC, we handle both the criminal charge and the ALR hearing. From the moment you call, we:

  • Request your ALR hearing immediately — we submit the request, track the deadline, and appear at the hearing to protect your license.
  • Investigate the stop and arrest — we examine whether the officer had reasonable suspicion to stop you and probable cause to arrest you. Constitutional violations can lead to suppressed evidence or a dismissal.
  • Challenge the breath or blood test — we review whether the DIC-24 warning was read properly, whether the equipment was correctly calibrated, and whether medical conditions or improper procedures affected the result.
  • Explore every outcome — depending on the facts, that can mean pretrial diversion (which can end in dismissal for eligible first offenders), deferred adjudication, a negotiated reduction, or trial.
  • Protect your record — we plan from day one for whether your case can end in an expunction or order of nondisclosure, because how a case ends determines what relief you qualify for later.

Why Time Is Critical

People often contact us months after an arrest and ask whether we can pull the parking-lot video that proves they weren't driving. The answer is usually no — most security footage auto-deletes within days unless it is requested and preserved quickly. The same is true of 911 logs, dash-cam, and body-cam video. Once that evidence is gone, it's gone, and it could have been the difference in your defense. The sooner you hire a lawyer, the sooner we can preserve the evidence in your favor.

What If You Already Have a Court-Appointed Attorney?

A court-appointed lawyer will represent you in the criminal case, but they generally will not represent you at the ALR hearing, may not investigate aggressively, and may not speak with you until your first court setting. If your driver's license, your job, or your clean record matters to you, it is worth speaking with a private attorney who focuses on DWI defense.

DWI Law Is Technical

Texas DWI law is detailed and unforgiving, spanning the Penal Code (§§ 49.01–49.09), the Code of Criminal Procedure's deferred-adjudication rules, the Transportation Code's ALR provisions, and DPS breath- and blood-testing protocols. You need a lawyer who understands not only the law but the local procedures in Montgomery County — how the prosecutors operate, what options exist, and how to get the best possible result.

Speak With Brian Foley Today

If you've been arrested for DWI in Conroe, The Woodlands, or anywhere in Montgomery County, don't wait to see what happens. As a Board Certified criminal defense attorney and former Chief Prosecutor, Brian Foley will explain your options, protect your license, defend your record, and fight for the best outcome in your case.

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Speak With Brian Foley Today


Free, confidential consultation with a Board Certified criminal defense attorney and former Chief Prosecutor.

(936) 596-0407