Fighting for Your License and Freedom in Williamson County

An arrest for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) in Round Rock, Texas, or anywhere in Williamson County, is a terrifying and confusing experience. Texas law enforcement and prosecutors treat DWI charges with extreme seriousness, and a conviction carries heavy penalties that can irrevocably change your life. Unlike simple traffic tickets, a DWI charge is a criminal matter that affects your driving privileges, finances, employment, and personal freedom.

If you’ve been arrested for DWI in Round Rock, time is absolutely critical. You have only 15 days from the date of your arrest to request an Administrative License Revocation (ALR) hearing to challenge the automatic suspension of your driver’s license. Immediately securing a knowledgeable Round Rock DWI defense attorney is the most crucial step you can take. At Gordon Law PLLC, we represent clients throughout Williamson County, fighting aggressively both in criminal court and at the essential ALR hearing.

Texas DWI Penalties: The Consequences Are Severe

The penalties for DWI in Texas are harsh and escalate significantly with repeat offenses or aggravating factors.

First-Offense DWI (Class B Misdemeanor)

Jail Time: Minimum of 72 hours, up to 180 days in county jail.
Fines: Up to $2,000.
Driver’s License Suspension: Up to one year.
Other Requirements: Mandatory completion of a DWI Education Program and a minimum of 24 hours of community service.
State Surcharges: The state imposes an annual surcharge of up to $2,000 for three years (totaling up to $6,000) to keep your license, even after suspension is lifted.

Second-Offense DWI (Class A Misdemeanor)

Jail Time: Minimum of 30 days, up to one year in county jail.
Fines: Up to $4,000.
Driver’s License Suspension: Up to two years.

Third or Subsequent DWI Offense (Third-Degree Felony)

Prison Time: Two to ten years in state prison.
Fines: Up to $10,000.

Aggravating Factors and Enhanced Penalties

Certain circumstances can elevate a DWI charge to a felony, even for a first offense:

DWI with a Child Passenger: If a child under 15 is in the vehicle, the charge becomes a State Jail Felony, punishable by 180 days to two years in a State Jail facility and a fine of up to $10,000.
Intoxication Assault: If your actions cause serious bodily injury to another person, it is a Third-Degree Felony, with two to ten years in prison.
Intoxication Manslaughter: If your actions cause the death of another person, it is a Second-Degree Felony, with two to 20 years in prison.
High Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC): A BAC of 0.15 or higher elevates a first-time DWI to a Class A Misdemeanor, increasing the potential jail time and fines.

Powerful Defense Strategies for Round Rock DWI Cases

A DWI arrest is not a conviction. Many seemingly strong cases brought by the Williamson County District Attorney’s Office have critical flaws that an experienced defense attorney can exploit. Our approach at Gordon Law PLLC involves a meticulous review of every detail of your stop and arrest:

Challenging the Initial Traffic Stop

An officer must have reasonable suspicion of a traffic violation or criminal activity to legally stop your vehicle. If the stop was pretextual or lacked a legal basis, all evidence gathered afterward—including the BAC test—may be suppressed, often leading to a dismissal of the charge.

Disputing Field Sobriety Tests (FSTs)

Standardized FSTs (Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus, Walk-and-Turn, One Leg Stand) are highly subjective and often unreliable. They can be invalidated by factors like medical conditions, age, weight, poor weather, uncomfortable footwear, or improper administration by the officer. We challenge the officer’s training, protocol, and subjective observations.

Questioning Chemical Test Accuracy (Breath and Blood)

Breathalyzer (Intoxilyzer): These devices require proper maintenance, calibration, and administration. A defense attorney can investigate the machine’s records for maintenance history, potential malfunctions, and ensure the 15-minute observation period was strictly followed.
Blood Tests: While often considered more accurate, blood evidence can be compromised by improper blood draw procedures, contamination, or a flawed chain of custody—which tracks the evidence from the suspect to the lab. Any break in this chain can render the evidence inadmissible.

Asserting Medical Conditions and Other Causes

Medical conditions such as diabetes (which can cause high acetone levels mimicking alcohol), acid reflux, or certain medications can lead to inaccurate breath or blood test readings, or symptoms that falsely appear to be intoxication.

The Immediate Threat: The ALR Hearing

Remember the 15-day deadline to request an ALR hearing. This civil process is separate from your criminal DWI case. Failing to request this hearing means your license will be automatically suspended. The ALR hearing is a critical opportunity to challenge the suspension and, importantly, to cross-examine the arresting officer under oath—gathering crucial testimony that can be used later to your advantage in the criminal trial.

Your Round Rock DWI Defense Starts Now

Don’t face the complex and punitive Texas DWI laws alone. If you’ve been arrested in Round Rock, Cedar Park, Georgetown, or any neighboring Williamson County community, the time to act is now.

At Gordon Law PLLC, we are committed to providing an aggressive, knowledgeable defense. We understand the enormous stress and financial burden that a DWI charge imposes. To help alleviate this, we proudly offer free consultations to review your case without obligation, and we provide flexible payment plans to ensure that securing a top-tier DWI defense attorney is possible for all of our clients.

Let us put our experience to work protecting your driving privileges, your freedom, and your future.

Gordon Law PLLC

600 W. 28th Street, Suite #106A

Austin, Texas 78705

512-678-9333 (WEED)

Legal Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney–client relationship. Every criminal case is unique, and past results do not guarantee future outcomes. You should consult a qualified attorney for advice regarding your individual situation.

Driving While Intoxicated