Laredo, Texas DWI Lawyer
DWI Defense | Laredo, Texas
Arrested for DWI?
Call Joey First.
Former Chief Prosecutor Joey Tellez brings more than 24 years of legal experience to first-time, repeat, felony, and aggravated DWI cases in Laredo, Webb County, and throughout South Texas.
Principal office: 702 Corpus Christi St, Laredo, TX 78040
15
Days May Be All You Have
Your License Deadline
Your First Court Date May Not Be Your First Deadline.
A DWI arrest can create a criminal case and a separate Administrative License Revocation proceeding involving your driving privileges. In many cases, you have only 15 days after being served with notice of suspension to request an ALR hearing.
Do not wait for the first criminal court setting to address your license.
Protect Your LicenseWhat to Do Now
What Should You Do After a DWI Arrest?
01
Keep Your Paperwork
Save every document given to you by law enforcement, including any temporary permit or notice involving your license.
02
Do Not Discuss the Arrest
Avoid posting about the incident or discussing the facts with people who are not involved in your defense.
03
Address the License Deadline
The ALR process moves separately from the criminal case. Waiting may cause you to lose the opportunity to request a hearing.
04
Have the Evidence Reviewed
The stop, officer observations, video, testing, warrants, and laboratory procedures should all be examined carefully.
Two Separate Proceedings
A DWI Arrest Creates More Than One Legal Problem
The Criminal DWI Case
The criminal case determines whether the State can prove the DWI charge beyond a reasonable doubt. Possible consequences may include jail, fines, community supervision, ignition-interlock requirements, and a lasting criminal record.
The Driver's-License Case
The ALR proceeding determines whether DPS may administratively suspend your driving privileges because of an alleged test refusal or test result. The outcome of one proceeding does not automatically decide the other.
DWI Charges We Defend
Texas DWI Charges and Penalties
First-Offense DWI
Generally a Class B misdemeanor carrying up to 180 days in county jail and a fine of up to $2,000.
BAC of .15 or Higher
A first DWI may be elevated to a Class A misdemeanor when testing allegedly shows an alcohol concentration of .15 or higher.
Second DWI
Generally a Class A misdemeanor with increased jail exposure, fines, license consequences, and additional conditions.
Third or Subsequent DWI
A third or subsequent DWI may be charged as a third-degree felony, with two to ten years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
DWI With a Child Passenger
A person may face a state jail felony when accused of driving while intoxicated with a passenger younger than 15.
Intoxication Assault or Manslaughter
These serious felony charges may involve crash reconstruction, medical evidence, blood testing, witness statements, and vehicle data.
Why Tellez Law
A Former Chief Prosecutor Now Fighting for You.
Joey Tellez understands how prosecutors review police reports, evaluate evidence, identify weaknesses, and decide how to proceed with a criminal charge.
At Tellez Law, clients have direct access to the attorney handling their case. Joey personally reviews the evidence, explains the process, and develops a strategy based on the facts.
The Arrest Report Is Not the Entire Story
What Evidence Should Be Reviewed in a DWI Case?
The Traffic Stop
Law enforcement must have a lawful basis to stop a vehicle.
Officer Observations
The report should be compared with video, medical issues, fatigue, and other possible explanations.
Field Sobriety Tests
Instructions, lighting, road surface, footwear, injuries, and administration may affect reliability.
Breath Testing
Device maintenance, observation periods, procedures, and surrounding evidence may require review.
Blood Testing
Warrants, collection, storage, transportation, chain of custody, and laboratory records may matter.
Video and Witnesses
Body-camera, dash-camera, booking video, passengers, and bystanders may provide important context.
What Happens Next
What Happens After a DWI Arrest in Webb County?
01
Arrest and Release
Bond and release conditions may be imposed and must be taken seriously.
02
License Deadline
The ALR deadline may arrive before the first criminal court setting.
03
Court Settings
Early settings may address counsel, bond conditions, evidence status, and future hearings.
04
Evidence Review
Reports, video, testing records, warrants, witnesses, and laboratory materials are evaluated.
05
Negotiations or Motions
The defense may negotiate, file pretrial motions, or challenge whether evidence can be used.
06
Resolution or Trial
The case may end through dismissal, reduction, negotiated resolution, trial, or another lawful outcome.
★★★★★
470 5-Star Google Reviews
Trusted by Clients Across Laredo
“From the very start, Joey made me feel welcome, heard, and cared for. He paid close attention to every detail of my case and showed genuine compassion for what my family and I were going through. Choosing Joey Tellez was the best decision I could have made.”
— Joseph
“Joey Tellez helped me with my case. He made a stressful situation much easier to handle. I'm glad I hired him. Don't hesitate to hire him—he gets the job done.”
— Mark C.
Past client experiences do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case depends on its own facts and circumstances.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions About DWI Charges
Will I automatically lose my driver's license after a DWI arrest?
Not necessarily. A DWI arrest may trigger a separate ALR proceeding. If you were served with a notice of suspension, you generally have only 15 days to request a hearing. Different deadlines may apply in certain mailed-notice blood-test cases.
Can I continue driving while my ALR hearing is pending?
In many cases, a timely hearing request delays the proposed administrative suspension until the hearing is held and a decision is issued. The exact answer depends on the status of your license and any separate court-ordered restrictions.
What happens if I refused a breath or blood test?
A refusal can result in a separate administrative suspension. It does not necessarily prevent officers from seeking a warrant for a blood draw. The refusal, warrant, collection, and testing procedures should all be reviewed.
Can police obtain a warrant for my blood?
Yes. The defense may still review whether the warrant was supported by probable cause and whether the blood was properly collected, stored, transported, and tested.
Can a first DWI charge be dismissed?
A dismissal may be possible in some cases, but it is never automatic. The answer depends on the traffic stop, video, testing, officer observations, and whether the State can prove every required element beyond a reasonable doubt.
How long does a DWI case take in Webb County?
There is no single timeline. The length of the case may depend on how quickly charges are filed, whether blood results are pending, how long evidence takes to obtain, whether motions are filed, and whether the case is negotiated or set for trial.
Will a DWI stay on my criminal record?
An arrest and a conviction are not the same. The effect on your record depends on how the case is resolved and whether Texas law provides any form of relief.
Should I hire a lawyer before my first court date?
It is generally better to speak with a lawyer early. The ALR deadline may arrive before the first criminal court setting, and early representation allows counsel to begin reviewing paperwork, bond conditions, and available evidence.
Talk to Tellez Law
Speak With Joey Tellez About Your DWI Case
A DWI arrest can affect your license, record, employment, finances, and future. Get clear answers before making important decisions about your case.
Call (956) 717-8200 Request a ConsultationPrincipal office: 702 Corpus Christi St, Laredo, TX 78040
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Disclaimer: This page provides general information about Texas DWI cases and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this page or contacting Tellez Law does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case depends on its own facts, evidence, procedural history, and applicable law. Past results and client experiences do not guarantee a similar outcome.