ALR refers to an Administrative License Revocation. At an ALR hearing, a judge determines whether you have the right to keep your license after a charge for a DWI. However, these hearings are quite different from other criminal proceedings.

An administrative law judge (ALJ) presides over this type of hearing. It’s important to note that these judges don’t necessarily have training in DWI law. Moreover, the hearing has no jury.
Often, this makes an ALR hearing one-sided and difficult for someone to win without representation. Still, the stronger your defense, the better your chances are of receiving a good recommendation. This leaves you with the potential to reduce or drop charges and save your license.

When you partner with our team of skilled Houston criminal defense attorneys, you have an advocate on your side. We understand how to deal with an ALJ. Your Houston DWI lawyer works with you to navigate the ALR hearing and fight to maintain your independence.

Ultimately, this depends on the facts and outcome of your case. However, it’s important to recognize that a charge and arrest stay on your record until you take action. In some cases, you have the potential to seal or erase your record.

Expungement or expunction refers to this process of erasing something from your record. When you partner with a DWI defense attorney at Nguyen & Chen, you have the guidance and assistance necessary to navigate this process.

Expungement offers you a clean slate. As such, it is crucial to work with an experienced attorney.

When a driver faces a DWI charge, they often assume there’s no way to change the outcome. They think the future is set in stone, assuming conviction, license suspension, and jail time are a matter of fact. However, a Houston DWI defense attorney has the power to protect your rights and your future. 

Any DWI defendant with these defeatist thoughts simply needs an advocate on their side. Before it’s too late, there’s an opportunity to fight for a better outcome. All it takes is the effort, insight, and aggressive representation of an experienced DWI attorney in Houston, TX.

When you partner with a lawyer, the outcome of your trial can change quite dramatically. If you or a loved one faces charges of drunk driving, schedule a free consultation* with the criminal defense attorneys at Nguyen & Chen LLP. Our team is ready to help you fight. 

But, what does a Houston DWI lawyer do to help someone? 

Investigate the Facts

The facts of a case might seem etched in stone, but they are not. Your Houston DWI lawyer works to investigate what happened leading up to the DWI charge or arrest. Oftentimes, the prosecution gathers evidence that incriminates and exonerates. 

In Texas, the state takes these charges seriously. As such, the prosecution often pushes for heightened charges. At Nguyen & Chen, we uncover the facts of the case and call prosecutors on their bluff as we correct their errors. 

Moreover, an investigation of these cases has the potential to reveal weaknesses in the process. For instance, blood tests can be mishandled, and field sobriety tests are far from reliable. Our team uncovers these weaknesses to pursue the best possible outcome of your case. 

Help You Understand Your Case

One of the main duties of a Houston DWI lawyer is to help you understand your situation. This ensures that you make wise decisions as we fight to protect your future. At our criminal defense law firm, we have a deep knowledge of DWI laws. 

We use our expertise and experience to anticipate the prosecution’s actions and prepare in advance. 

Aggressive Advocacy

To some attorneys, a DWI defense is a matter of routine. However, this is far from the truth. Every DWI case requires aggressive representation and diligent attention to the details. 

We commit ourselves as our clients’ advocates to protect their rights and futures. As you face DWI charges, it’s important to understand that you have the same constitutional rights as everyone else. That means you deserve personalized representation to protect those rights. 

In some cases, DWI charges warrant a broad range of strategies. Here are a few examples of how we approach your case. 

• Did the officer have a reasonable suspicion to stop you? 
• Was there probable cause for them to administer a test?
• We challenge the results of your tests. 
• Was there an illegal search and seizure in your stop?
• Utilizing video evidence or challenging it based on weaknesses 
• Filing motions to suppress inadmissible evidence 

With broad experience at trial, our Houston DWI lawyer understands how to assert these and other rights to make a difference in your case. When we assert and protect your rights, we pursue a better outcome in your case. 

With a skilled advocate on your side, you have someone to protect your future. 

Guidance and Understanding

When you partner with our Houston DWI defense attorney, we guide you through the entire DWI process. There are several ways to challenge a DWI charge in Texas. In some cases, its a matter of oral advocacy. 

At other times, it requires a deeper understanding of the administrative process. Often, this also requires timely, sensitive management of administrative procedures that have a major impact on your future. 

At an ALR hearing, your license is on the line. This is a critical example of how a DWI lawyer can help you protect your rights. Typically, officers confiscate the driver’s license at an arrest. 

From there, it’s crucial to schedule an administrative license revocation hearing. In doing so, we help to preserve your driving privileges. Additionally, your Houston DWI lawyer provides representation at this administrative hearing and handles any necessary appeals. 

Another impactful example is the potential for deferred adjudication. For some defendants, this is the best possible outcome. However, it comes with certain prices. 

Our DWI defense team helps you understand your position, the risks involved, and the costs of maintaining your freedom. When you decide to pursue this route, it also requires the help of a DWI defense attorney who knows how to leverage it in your favor. 

Schedule a free case evaluation* with the Houston DWI lawyer at Nguyen & Chen today.

When you face a DWI or DUI in Texas, it’s an overwhelming situation. With so much at stake in your case, it’s important to understand the reality of your situation. Moreover, it’s important to understand how an arrest for drunk driving impacts your criminal record. 

As your record comes into play, people often wonder whether expungement is a possibility. Unfortunately, Texas law surrounding DWI expungement is complex. However, our Houston DWI lawyer is always ready to help. 

First, the most important thing to know is that there’s no option to expunge a DWI conviction. Unfortunately, that conviction remains on your record. However, there are some options to remove an arrest from your record. Here’s how a DWI defense attorney can help you remove a DUI/DWI from your criminal record. 

Conditions for Expungement

When your case meets the following conditions, you have a chance to expunge your record. 

• Dismissal: If a judge dismisses the case completely, your arrest and charges may be eligible for expunction. With a Houston DWI lawyer, you can argue for a reduced charge to dismiss it. This leaves you with the option to expunge the arrest. 
• Arrested as a Minor: If your first and only DWI occurred as a minor, and you fulfilled any court orders, you might be able to expunge your record as an adult. 
• Lack of a Guilty Verdict: If you fight your case and attain a Not Guilty verdict, your defense attorney can help you expunge your charges. 
• Case Deferred: In Texas, judges have the authority to issue deferred adjudication (or probation) for first-time DWI offenders. In the absence of a conviction, you complete probation. At the end of this period, you can request a petition of non-disclosure.
• Appealed and Won: When you successfully appeal a conviction, you have the option to apply for an expunction. 

Even in the face of conviction, there’s still hope. However, you need the expertise and experience of a Houston DWI lawyer. Schedule a free case evaluation* with our team to learn more about your options.

How a Houston DWI Lawyer Can Help

Expungement does not seal your records. Sealed records remain on your file for the world to speculate about. Unfortunately, the fact that expungement fully removes your charges means the process is difficult. 

In Texas, these laws are strict. Additionally, the petition process is far from straightforward. Any number of delays, oversights, or errors can prevent your right to pursue this remedy altogether. 

That’s why it is crucial that you partner with a Houston DWI lawyer who understands the process. With an advocate on your side, you have someone to help you navigate the process. Moreover, you have someone to ensure the petition is filed completely and on time. 

Schedule a Free Consultation* Today

If you have questions about the process of expungement or are up against drunk driving charges, reach out to an experienced Houston DWI defense attorney at Nguyen & Chen. At our firm, we pride ourselves on being problem solvers. 

Contact us today to schedule your consultation. Start the fight for your future now.