Conroe DWI lawyer explains Texas's Administrative License Revocation process, a separate civil case that can cost a driver their license long before the criminal charge is ever resolved
-- After a DWI arrest in Texas, the criminal case is only half the picture. A separate civil process, run entirely by the Texas Department of Public Safety, can suspend a driver's license before the criminal charge ever reaches a courtroom, and it runs on a strict 15-day clock. The Fowles Law Firm and its founder, Conroe DWI attorney Justin Fowles, say this deadline catches far more drivers off guard than people realize.
A Civil Case Running on Its Own Clock
Justin Fowles, a former prosecutor and founder of The Fowles Law Firm in Conroe, explains the 15-day deadline Texas drivers face after a DWI arrest.
Texas calls this process Administrative License Revocation, or ALR. It is entirely separate from the criminal DWI case and is decided by the State Office of Administrative Hearings rather than a criminal court. After an arrest, DPS issues a notice, commonly called a DIC-25, and the driver has exactly 15 days from the arrest to request an ALR hearing. If no request is filed in time, and the driver refused a breath or blood test or had a BAC of .08 or more, the license is automatically suspended on the 40th day, with no hearing and no chance to contest it.
DWI Attorney Breaks Down What's Actually at Stake
Suspension lengths depend on the circumstances. A first failed chemical test typically results in a 90-day suspension, while refusing the test carries a longer 180-day suspension, and prior alcohol-related arrests can extend either penalty significantly, in some cases up to two years. Requesting a hearing within the 15-day window keeps a driver's license valid while the case is pending, since a timely request pauses the suspension until an administrative judge rules.
“A lot of people are so focused on the criminal charge that they don't realize there's a second case running on a much faster deadline,” said Justin Fowles, founder of The Fowles Law Firm. “By the time some drivers call a DWI attorney, the 15 days are already gone, and that's a chance to keep their license that they can't get back.”
Why the Hearing Is Worth Requesting Even in a Hard Case
At the ALR hearing, DPS carries the burden of proof and must establish that the stop or arrest was lawful and that the driver either failed a chemical test at or above 0.08 or refused testing altogether. If DPS cannot meet that burden, or if the arresting officer fails to appear, the case can be dismissed and the license stays valid. Even when the facts are difficult, requesting the hearing forces DPS to show its evidence early, which can help a DWI lawyer build a stronger defense for the criminal case as well.
What Drivers Should Do Immediately After a DWI Arrest
Attorney Fowles recommends contacting a DWI attorney within days, not weeks, of a DWI arrest specifically because of the ALR deadline. A Conroe DWI lawyer can request the hearing on a driver's behalf, review the DIC-25 notice for errors, and begin building a defense for both the license suspension and the underlying criminal charge at the same time, since evidence and testimony in one case often affects the other.
If you are searching for a DWI lawyer near me in Montgomery County, Harris County, and the greater Houston area, contact The Fowles Law Firm.
About The Fowles Law Firm
The Fowles Law Firm is a criminal defense firm based in Conroe, Texas, led by former prosecutor Justin Fowles. The firm represents clients throughout Montgomery County, Harris County, and the greater Houston area, including Conroe, The Woodlands, Spring, and Humble, on drug possession, DWI, weapons, domestic violence, and other criminal charges. The firm offers free consultations and is available 24/7.
Contact Info:
Name: Justin Fowles
Email: Send Email
Organization: The Fowles Law Firm
Address: 412 W Phillips St #124, Conroe, TX 77301
Phone: (713) 332-6813
Website: https://thefowleslawfirm.com/
Release ID: 89208989
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