DWI & Intoxication
Aggressive DWI Defense in Houston and the Surrounding Counties
A DWI arrest in the Greater Houston area—whether you were pulled over on I-45 in Harris County, Highway 6 in Fort Bend, or along the coast in Brazoria or Chambers—triggers two distinct legal battles: one for your freedom and one for your driver's license.
At Jones White Legal, we understand that a "Driving While Intoxicated" charge is often a person’s first encounter with the Texas criminal justice system. Our approach is holistic and relentless, focusing on protecting your future while navigating the specific procedural nuances of the local courts in Richmond, Angleton, Anahuac, and downtown Houston.
The 15-Day Rule: Protecting Your Texas Driver’s License
The moment you are arrested for a DWI, the clock starts. In Texas, you have only 15 days to request an Administrative License Revocation (ALR) hearing. If you miss this deadline, your license will be automatically suspended. We prioritize this hearing not just to save your driving privileges, but as a critical discovery tool to cross-examine the arresting officer and identify weaknesses in the State's case before we ever set foot in a criminal courtroom.
Texas DWI Penalties and What is at Stake
Under Texas Penal Code Chapter 49, the consequences of an intoxication offense are severe and escalate quickly based on your history and the specifics of the arrest:
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First Offense (Class B Misdemeanor): Up to 180 days in jail, a fine up to $2,000, and a permanent criminal record.
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High BAC (0.15 or Greater): If your blood alcohol concentration was double the legal limit, the charge is elevated to a Class A Misdemeanor, carrying up to a year in jail.
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DWI with Child Passenger: A State Jail Felony, regardless of your prior record, putting your parental rights and freedom at risk.
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Felony DWI (3rd or More): A third-degree felony that carries 2 to 10 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
Our Multi-County Defense Strategy
We recognize that a "win" looks different in every jurisdiction. Whether we are challenging the calibration of an Intoxilyzer 9000 in Harris County or scrutinizing the field sobriety test footage in a "no-refusal" weekend in Fort Bend, our goal is the same: dismissal, reduction, or acquittal. We look beyond the police report to analyze medical factors, procedural errors, and constitutional violations that could lead to your evidence being suppressed.
Science of defense
In Texas, a DWI case often hinges on a number—a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or higher. However, that number is only as reliable as the machine that produced it and the human who handled the sample. At Jones White Legal, we dismantle the State’s "scientific" narrative by exposing the biological and mechanical flaws inherent in breath and blood testing.
What to expect in your County
In the Greater Houston area, your ZIP code often determines your legal strategy. A first-time DWI in downtown Houston is a very different experience than one in rural Chambers County or the strict courts of Brazoria.
The Holistic Advantage
At Jones White Legal, we apply a holistic lens to every DWI case we defend. While we aggressively challenge the technicalities of the stop and the science of the blood test, we simultaneously work to stabilize the "non-legal" factors that can often dictate the final outcome of your case. In counties like Harris and Fort Bend, the District Attorney’s office looks for reasons to offer leniency. By taking a holistic approach, we don't wait for the court to order "rehabilitation." We guide our clients toward proactive steps—such as voluntary evaluations, counseling, or community engagement—before the first hearing. This allows us to walk into the prosecutor’s office not just with a legal argument, but with proof of character that can turn a potential conviction into a dismissal or a "Pre-Trial Intervention."