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#1 Goal Is A Dismissal
San Antonio DWI Lawyer
Bexar County Drunk Driving Defense
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A DWI arrest in San Antonio sets two parallel processes in motion at the same time — a criminal case in Bexar County court and an administrative license suspension proceeding with the Texas Department of Public Safety. Both can take your freedom, your driving privileges, and years of your future. Both require an experienced attorney who moves immediately.
The Hull Firm defends DWI charges throughout San Antonio and Bexar County. Our attorneys are former prosecutors who built DWI cases from the state’s side — they understand exactly how SAPD constructs an arrest, how the Bexar County DA evaluates the evidence, and where these cases fall apart under scrutiny. With 700+ case dismissals across Texas, regular appearances in Bexar County Courts at Law and Bexar County District Courts, and 24/7 availability, we give clients their best chance at the best possible outcome from the moment they call.
Call 210.692.4913 now. You have 15 days from the date of arrest to request an ALR hearing — after that, your license suspension becomes automatic.
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Our Case Results
#1 Goal Is A Dismissal
The 15-Day ALR Deadline — Why This Is the First Thing We Address
Most people arrested for DWI in San Antonio focus entirely on the criminal case. What many do not realize until it is too late is that a separate proceeding — the Administrative License Revocation process — is running on a parallel track, and it has a hard deadline.
Under Texas Transportation Code §724.032, you have exactly 15 days from the date of your DWI arrest to request a hearing before the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH). If you do not request that hearing within 15 days, your license is automatically suspended — 90 days for a first offense blood test failure, 180 days for a breath test failure, and up to two years for a second offense or refusal.
The ALR hearing is not just about your license. It creates a formal record with the arresting officer testifying under oath before the criminal case is tried — giving your defense attorney the ability to cross-examine the officer, lock in their testimony, and identify inconsistencies that can be used later in the criminal proceeding. It is one of the most valuable early tools available in any DWI defense, and it is only available if you request it within 15 days.
Call 210.692.4913 today. The clock starts from the day of the arrest.
DWI Penalties in Bexar County, Texas
Beyond the criminal penalty, every DWI conviction in Texas triggers a driver’s license surcharge under the Driver Responsibility Program, SR-22 insurance requirements, possible ignition interlock installation, and — for second or higher offenses — mandatory minimum jail time that cannot be probated away.
The consequences extend further: employment background checks flag DWI convictions, CDL holders face lifetime disqualification for certain alcohol-related offenses, military service members risk security clearance loss, and healthcare and other licensed professionals face disciplinary proceedings.
First DWI Offense (Class B Misd):
72 hrs–180 days jail; up to $2,000 fine
First DWI — BAC 0.15 or higher (Class A Misd):
Up to 1 year jail; up to $4,000 fine
Second DWI Offense (Class A Misd):
30 days–1 year jail; up to $4,000 fine
Third or Subsequent DWI (3rd Deg. Felony):
2–10 years prison; up to $10,000 fine
DWI with Child Passenger (Under 15) (State Jail Felony):
180 days–2 years; up to $10,000 fine
Intoxication Assault (3rd Deg. Felony):
2–10 years prison; up to $10,000 fine
Intoxication Manslaughter (2nd Deg. Felony):
2–20 years prison; up to $10,000 fine
How We Defend DWI Cases in Bexar County
THE TRAFFIC STOP
SAPD must have reasonable suspicion of a traffic violation or criminal activity to stop your vehicle. If the stop was unlawful — initiated without the required level of suspicion — all evidence obtained after the stop may be suppressed. We pull the body camera footage and the officer’s report the moment we are retained and compare them for inconsistencies in the stated basis for the stop.
PROBABLE CAUSE FOR ARREST
Even if the stop was lawful, the officer must have probable cause to arrest you specifically for DWI. If the observations, field sobriety test results, and other evidence do not rise to the level of probable cause, the arrest — and all evidence obtained incident to it — may be suppressible.
BREATH TEST CHALLENGES
The Intoxilyzer 9000 is the breath testing device used by SAPD. It requires proper calibration, maintenance, and a certified operator to produce reliable results. We subpoena calibration records, maintenance logs, and operator certification records to verify that the device was functioning properly and was operated correctly. Mouth alcohol contamination, GERD, and certain medical conditions can produce falsely elevated breath test results.
PROSECUTORIAL WEAKNESSES AND NEGOTIATION
Not every DWI case proceeds to trial. When the evidence has problems — a weak stop, an improperly administered FST, a questionable breath test result — we use those problems in negotiations with the Bexar County DA’s Office to pursue dismissal, charge reduction to obstruction of a highway or reckless driving, or deferred adjudication where it is available. We negotiate from an informed position because we know how these prosecutors evaluate cases.
FIELD SOBRIETY TEST CHALLENGES
The Standardized Field Sobriety Tests — the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus, Walk-and-Turn, and One-Leg Stand — are administered roadside under imperfect conditions and graded subjectively by the same officer making the arrest decision. We challenge the administration procedure, the scoring, and the officer’s qualifications to administer the tests. Medications, physical conditions, uneven pavement, and road-side lighting conditions can all produce “failures” in sober drivers.
BLOOD TEST CHALLENGES
Blood draws in DWI cases must follow strict protocols for collection, handling, and chain of custody. We challenge the qualifications of the person who drew the blood, the testing lab’s procedures, chain of custody documentation, and the validity of the warrant (when one was issued). Contamination, fermentation, and improper storage can all produce inaccurate blood test results.
San Antonio DWI Defense
The Hull Firm’s San Antonio DWI practice covers the full range of DWI charges and related topics across Bexar County. Each of the following pages goes deep on the specific law, defenses, and outcomes that apply to your situation — whether you are facing a first-time misdemeanor or a felony DWI with aggravating circumstances.
No matter where your case falls in this spectrum, the approach is the same: move fast, challenge every link in the prosecution’s evidence chain, and fight for the best outcome available. Call 210.692.4913.
Get the Defense You Deserve – Call 210-692-4913 Today
San Antonio DWI FAQ
Do I need a lawyer for a first DWI in San Antonio?
How long do I have to act after a San Antonio DWI arrest?
Can a DWI be dismissed in Bexar County?
Can I refuse a breath test in Texas?
Is DWI a felony in Texas?
What is an ignition interlock device and when is it required?
What happens to my CDL after a DWI in Texas?
Is The Hull Firm available for emergency DWI defense in San Antonio after hours?
Yes. The Hull Firm provides 24/7 emergency criminal defense and jail-release support for San Antonio and Bexar County clients. Call 210.692.4913 at any time.