Key Strategies for Winning an ALR Hearing After a DWI Arrest
A DWI arrest can feel overwhelming, especially when you realize how quickly your driver’s license may be at risk. In Texas, an Administrative License Revocation (ALR) hearing is often the first opportunity to fight back. This hearing isn’t just about keeping your driving privileges—it can also shape the direction of your criminal case.
At Danford Law Firm, I’ve worked with clients who felt like their lives were turned upside down after a DWI arrest. Located in Kerrville, Texas, my firm provides legal representation throughout Hill County, including Boerne, Fredericksburg, and Bandera. By focusing on key strategies, I've been able to protect driving rights and build stronger defenses for trial.
Why the ALR Hearing Matters
The ALR hearing is separate from the criminal process. Many people think they’ll only face consequences in court, but the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) can suspend a license before the criminal case even begins. That’s why preparing for the ALR hearing is critical—it buys time, protects your right to drive, and may reveal information that helps fight the criminal charge.
When I explain this to clients, I emphasize that the hearing isn’t just a procedural matter. It’s an opportunity to question evidence, challenge the state’s assumptions, and sometimes even prevent a suspension entirely.
Requesting the Hearing on Time
One of the first steps after a DWI arrest is requesting the ALR hearing. You typically have 15 days from the date of arrest to make this request, and missing that deadline almost always results in automatic suspension.
Because timing is so important, I always act quickly to file the request. Even if we know the DPS will push hard for suspension, having a hearing scheduled is better than surrendering without trying. Filing in time also signals to the state that we’re prepared to fight the case from the beginning.
Examining the Traffic Stop
The foundation of many DWI cases lies in the traffic stop. If the officer didn’t have a valid reason to pull someone over, much of the case can fall apart. During the ALR hearing, I carefully review the circumstances leading to the stop.
Important issues include:
Reason for the stop: Was there a legitimate traffic violation or reasonable suspicion?
Officer observations: Did the officer describe clear, articulable facts for suspicion of intoxication?
Video evidence: Does dashcam or bodycam footage support or contradict the officer’s claims?
By raising questions at the ALR hearing, I can sometimes limit the evidence the state relies on, thereby strengthening the defense in the criminal case.
Challenging Field Sobriety Tests
Field sobriety tests are commonly used to justify DWI arrests, but they’re not always reliable. At the hearing, I look for problems in how the tests were conducted.
Points of challenge include:
Instructions given: Did the officer clearly explain the test?
Environmental factors: Was the ground uneven, poorly lit, or affected by weather?
Physical conditions: Did the driver have injuries, age-related issues, or medical conditions that impacted performance?
Scrutinizing Breath or Blood Test Evidence
One of the strongest tools in an ALR hearing is questioning the reliability of chemical tests. Whether it’s a breath or blood sample, the state must show the evidence is accurate and collected properly.
I often review:
Calibration of the device: Was the breathalyzer properly maintained and tested?
Chain of custody: Was the blood sample handled and stored without contamination?
Timing of the test: Did the sample reflect the driver’s condition at the time of driving?
By raising doubts about the science, I not only fight the suspension but also gain valuable information to use later in court.
Using Officer Testimony to Build a Defense
A unique benefit of the ALR hearing is the ability to question the arresting officer under oath. This often gives me an early look at how the officer will testify in court.
Through cross-examination, I can:
Identify inconsistencies between reports and testimony
Lock in statements that may later be challenged at trial
Uncover weaknesses in the officer’s observations
This information is invaluable. Even if the license is ultimately suspended, the testimony often strengthens the criminal defense strategy.
Exploring Alternatives to Suspension
Sometimes the evidence at the ALR hearing favors the state, but that doesn’t mean a client is left without options. If suspension occurs, I help explore alternatives such as an occupational license, which allows limited driving for work, school, and essential household duties. Although this isn’t the ideal outcome, it still helps clients maintain daily responsibilities. This shows how the ALR hearing is just one step in a broader defense plan.
Preparing Clients for the Process
Winning an ALR hearing after a DWI arrest isn’t just about legal arguments. It’s also about making sure clients know what to expect. I take time to explain the hearing process, review potential outcomes, and answer questions about how the decision may affect the larger case.
This preparation reduces stress during the hearing and helps clients feel more confident. It also improves communication, which is essential for building a strong working relationship throughout the defense process.
Key Strategies I Rely On
Through experience, I’ve developed strategies that consistently improve a client’s chances at an ALR hearing. Some of these strategies include:
Acting quickly: Requesting the hearing immediately to avoid automatic suspension.
Questioning the stop: Making sure the officer had a valid reason to pull the driver over.
Challenging testing methods: Exposing flaws in field sobriety and chemical tests.
Cross-examining officers: Using testimony to find inconsistencies and weaknesses.
Exploring alternatives: Securing occupational licenses if suspension occurs.
By combining these approaches, I give clients multiple avenues to fight suspension and strengthen their defense.
How ALR Hearings Connect to Criminal Cases
The information gathered at an ALR hearing often has direct benefits for the criminal DWI case. For instance, if I uncover inconsistencies in the officer’s testimony, I can use that at trial. If I highlight flaws in testing procedures, that evidence may be challenged in court as well.
In this way, the ALR hearing isn’t an isolated process—it’s part of a larger strategy. Even when a suspension occurs, the hearing provides opportunities to gather information that improves the chances of success in the criminal case.
The Importance of Persistence
Not every ALR hearing ends in a victory, but persistence matters. Each hearing is an opportunity to challenge the state’s case and strengthen the defense. Over time, I’ve found that thorough preparation and a willingness to question every piece of evidence often lead to better outcomes.
Clients often feel discouraged after a DWI arrest, but I remind them that every step of the process offers a chance to fight back. The ALR hearing is one of the first, and it sets the tone for everything that follows.
Contact My Firm Today
Winning an ALR hearing after a DWI arrest takes preparation, persistence, and careful strategy. I work directly with my clients to challenge evidence, question procedures, and protect their rights from the start.
From my office in Kerrville, Texas, I serve the Hill County area, including Boerne, Fredericksburg, and Bandera. Contact me today to discuss how I can help protect your license and build a strong defense after a DWI arrest.