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A DWI Arrest in Texas Is Two Cases at Once. I Handle Both.

A drunk driving charge in Texas puts your driver's license, your record, and — if you are not a citizen — your immigration status on the line at the same time. I am Laura Ramos, a bilingual DWI attorney in Corpus Christi with 14 years of experience defending DUI and DWI cases across Nueces County and throughout Texas.

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There Is a 15-Day Deadline Most People Miss

When you are arrested for DWI in Texas, the clock starts immediately — not just on your criminal case, but on a separate administrative proceeding that will determine whether you keep your driver's license. The Texas Department of Public Safety will suspend your license automatically unless you request an Administrative License Revocation (ALR) hearing within 15 days of your arrest.

 

Most people do not know this deadline exists. By the time they find an attorney, the window has already closed. If you were arrested recently, contact me before that deadline passes. Requesting the ALR hearing buys time, creates an opportunity to cross-examine the arresting officer under oath, and preserves your ability to drive while your case moves forward.

How I Defend DWI Cases in Corpus Christi and Nueces County

A DWI charge is not a foregone conclusion. Every arrest involves decisions made by law enforcement — decisions that can and should be examined closely. My defense strategy starts at the beginning: why the officer stopped you, how the field sobriety tests were administered, whether the breath or blood test was conducted properly, and whether the results are reliable.

 

These are the questions that matter in a DWI case:

 

  • Did the officer have reasonable suspicion to make the traffic stop in the first place?
  • Were the standardized field sobriety tests administered according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration guidelines?
  • Was the breathalyzer device properly calibrated and maintained?
  • If a blood draw was taken, was the chain of custody preserved and the sample handled correctly?
  • Were your rights read to you at the time of arrest?

 

A weakness in any one of these areas can change the outcome of your case. I review every detail before advising you on how to proceed.

For relatives living outside the United States


After USCIS approves the initial petition, the case transfers to the National Visa Center and then to a U.S. embassy or consulate in the applicant's home country. Your relative attends an interview abroad and, if approved, enters the United States as a lawful permanent resident. I prepare families for what the consular interview involves and what documents are required.


The right path depends on your family member's specific situation, including whether they entered the U.S. lawfully, whether they have any prior immigration violations, and whether any bars to admissibility apply.

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Consular Processing

What Happens After a DWI Arrest in Texas

Understanding the process reduces the fear. Here is what you can expect after a DWI arrest in Texas and what I do at each stage.

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The Criminal Case

Understanding the process reduces the fear. Here is what you can expect after a DWI arrest in Texas and what I do at each stage.

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The ALR Administrative Hearing

Separate from the criminal case, the ALR process runs through the Texas Office of Administrative Hearings. If you request the hearing within 15 days of your arrest, your license remains valid while the case is pending. At the hearing, I cross-examine the arresting officer and challenge the basis for the stop and the arrest. Winning the ALR hearing does not end the criminal case, but it keeps you driving and often produces useful testimony for the defense.

If You Are Not a U.S. Citizen, a DWI Has Immigration Consequences

A criminal conviction that might carry a fine and probation for a U.S. citizen can trigger deportation or inadmissibility for a non-citizen. Under federal immigration law, a DWI conviction may be classified as a crime involving moral turpitude or, in aggravated circumstances, an aggravated felony — both of which can make a non-citizen removable from the United States.

 

Because I practice both criminal defense and immigration law, I assess the immigration exposure of a DWI charge at the same time as the criminal defense. That means I am not just looking for the best outcome in the courtroom — I am looking for the outcome that does not cost you your status, your visa, or your ability to remain in the country. If you are not a citizen and you have been arrested for DWI, you need an attorney who understands both sides of that equation. I do.

Your Record After a DWI: What Is Possible

  • What is the difference between a DUI and a DWI in Texas?

    In Texas, DWI — Driving While Intoxicated — is the primary charge for adults arrested with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher, or who are found to be impaired by alcohol or drugs while operating a vehicle. DUI in Texas applies specifically to minors under 21 who have any detectable amount of alcohol in their system, even below 0.08. Most adult cases in Texas are charged as DWI.

  • What happens to my driver's license after a DWI arrest?

    Texas initiates an Administrative License Revocation proceeding separate from your criminal case. You have 15 days from the date of your arrest to request an ALR hearing. If you do not request the hearing, your license will be suspended automatically. If you do request it, your license remains valid while the hearing is pending and I have the opportunity to challenge the suspension.

  • Can a DWI be dismissed or reduced in Texas?

    Yes, it is possible — but it depends on the facts of the case. If the arresting officer lacked reasonable suspicion for the stop, if the field sobriety tests were improperly administered, or if the breath or blood test results are unreliable, those issues can support a motion to suppress evidence or a negotiated reduction. I evaluate every case individually before advising on realistic outcomes.

  • I am not a U.S. citizen. Will a DWI get me deported?

    It depends on the circumstances of your case and your current immigration status. A DWI conviction can, in certain situations, be classified under federal immigration law in ways that make a non-citizen removable or inadmissible. Because I handle both criminal defense and immigration cases, I can evaluate the immigration risk alongside the criminal defense strategy and work toward an outcome that accounts for both.

  • Is a first DWI in Texas a felony?

    A first DWI in Texas is generally charged as a Class B misdemeanor. However, it can be elevated to a Class A misdemeanor if your blood alcohol concentration was 0.15 or higher, and to a felony if a child under 15 was in the vehicle, if someone was seriously injured, or if you have prior DWI convictions. The specific facts of your arrest determine the charge level.
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DWI Questions I Hear Most Often

A DWI conviction does not have to follow you permanently. In Texas, certain DWI outcomes — including cases resolved through deferred adjudication or community supervision — may be eligible for a nondisclosure order after a waiting period. A nondisclosure order limits public access to your record, which matters when you are applying for jobs, housing, or professional licenses.

 

How your case is resolved now affects what is available to you later. I keep that long-term picture in mind when advising on plea offers and case strategy. If nondisclosure or expungement eligibility is a priority for you, that is part of the conversation from the start.

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