Austin Criminal Defense FAQ

Not necessarily. Most first-offense Travis County DWIs resolve without jail time through probation, diversion, or dismissal — but only when properly defended. The charge itself carries up to 180 days. Deferred adjudication is NOT available.

Yes — The Hull Firm has dismissed hundreds. The most common grounds are an illegal traffic stop, field sobriety test errors, or BAC evidence problems. Any one of those angles can collapse the prosecution's case.

Refusing triggers automatic license suspension consequences through the ALR process — longer than if you complied. But refusal cases are still defensible. There's no universally right answer; it depends on your specific situation.

A BAC result above 0.08 doesn't automatically mean conviction. The test still has to be valid — calibration, chain of custody, operator certification, and lab procedures can all be challenged. A 0.15+ reading elevates the charge to Class A.

The ALR hearing is a civil proceeding to fight your license suspension — separate from the criminal case. You have 15 days from arrest to request one. The hearing also lets us lock in officer testimony before the criminal case starts.

Say: 'I am invoking my right to remain silent. I want an attorney.' Stop talking completely. Write everything down. Call us at 512-599-9999. The first 24 hours affect your case more than any period that follows.

You have the right to remain silent (beyond basic ID), the right to refuse consent to search, and the right to an attorney once arrested. Knowing and clearly invoking these rights — without being combative — is the most important thing you can do.

Probable cause is the legal standard police need to arrest you — enough specific facts to reasonably believe you committed a crime. It's higher than reasonable suspicion (needed to stop you) but lower than proof beyond a reasonable doubt.

Travis County misdemeanors: 3 to 12 months. Felonies: 6 months to 2 years. Family violence cases and DWIs with contested BAC take longer. The charge type and the DA unit both affect the timeline significantly.

Misdemeanors: Class C (fine only), Class B (up to 180 days), Class A (up to 1 year). Felonies: state jail (180 days–2 years) through first-degree (5–99 years). The class determines which court, which DA unit, and what the conviction costs you permanently.

Yes — and early intervention is where the best outcomes come from. The pre-filing window, before the DA formally charges, is the highest-leverage point in any case. Attorney involvement before charges are filed can sometimes prevent them entirely.

Yes. The Hull Firm has achieved Over 930 dismissals or rejected cases since 2021 across Travis, Williamson, and Hays County. Reductions and diversions are also real outcomes. The specific grounds depend on your charge type, evidence, and county.

An arrest shows on background checks immediately — even before conviction. A dismissed charge stays on your record until you get a court-ordered expunction. Don't assume a dismissal clears your record automatically. It doesn't.

Misdemeanors: 2 years. Most felonies: 3 years. Sexual assault, murder, and certain other serious charges have no statute of limitations. Even if the DA didn't file right away, they may still have time — which is why your record needs to be cleared after qualifying cases.

Arraignment is the formal reading of charges and plea entry. In Travis County, your attorney typically enters a not guilty plea to preserve all options. The more important hearing is magistration — the bond-setting stage that comes first.

Magistration happens within 24–48 hours of arrest. First scheduled court date typically comes within 2–6 weeks after that. From there, misdemeanor cases move through Travis County Courts at Law over 3 to 12 months.