Close X

DWI & Alcohol Related Crimes

A Comprehensive Approach to DWI Defense in Greater Houston and Galveston


Drink. Drive. Go to Jail. We have all seen the mass advertising campaign that has been generated by the state. However, that is not the law. It is not illegal to drive a vehicle after drinking alcohol in Texas. However, it fair to say that the law on DWI has become far more punitive then it was in the past. Many arrests made for DWI are simply based on a police officer's discretionary power- exercising an opinion on how impaired they think you appear to them. Unfortunately, many of the individuals who are charged with drunk driving are good people just like you who are falsely accused or people who just made an honest mistake. All types of people are charged with DWI – doctors, lawyers, engineers, teachers, moms and dads. Because of the potential danger posed by driving under the influence, the law in Texas has become tough on individuals who drink and drive.

Call 832-699-1966 for a Free Consultation About Your DWI Defense. As soon as you're arrested, the clock starts ticking on the time you have to defend yourself and safeguard your ability to drive and possibly avoid jail time. Did the arresting officer do his job correctly? Often this is the primary inquiry to be made and frequently can determine a “not guilty” verdict. This is where an experienced attorney- in particular, a former police officer, can provide you with crucial assistance in dissecting your case and a successful resolution to your case.

A Thorough Approach to DWI Defense in Greater Houston


If you have been arrested for drunk driving in the Houston-Clear Lake - Galveston area, the advice of an experienced criminal defense attorney can help protect your interests in both the criminal case and the administrative hearing about suspension of your driver's license.  To learn how you can benefit from our experience with the defense of Texas DWI charges, contact our Houston office at 832-699-1966.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: You Only Have 15 Days To Request an ALR Hearing

The first thing to bear in mind about Texas DWI defense is the importance of requesting an ALR hearing within 15 days of your arrest. Otherwise, you are faced with the prospect of a lengthy suspension whether or not you eventually defeat the criminal charges. Our firm handles all aspects of your legal problems related to a DWI charge, including protecting your right to drive while your DWI case is pending.

We request a hearing with the Department of Motor Vehicles after a DWI arrest in Texas to challenge the administrative suspension of your driver’s license. While these are difficult hearings to win there is no downside to making this attempt and you may gain valuable information to assist with the defense of your case.

However, you will lose this opportunity if you miss the 15 day window- so act now! Call Houston Brazoria DWI attorney, Lori Elaine Laird, to discuss the particular facts of your case. My experience with the defense of DUI or DWI charges can help people in a wide range of circumstances: first-time offenders, repeat offenders, juvenile or underage drivers and people facing DWI penalties based on a serious accident or other aggravating circumstances. Although we created this website to provide you with general information regarding the needs for a comprehensive DWI defense, every case is different and there is no substitute for discussing your individualized case with an attorney so you can obtain advice on how to best protect your ability to drive, criminal record and reputation.

Sometimes it is very difficult to negotiate an acceptable plea in a Texas drunk driving case, an aggressive approach toward developing your defense can lead to positive results in the pretrial and trial stages of your case.  For example, we will examine the arrest reports, witness statements and police video to find indications that there was no legally sufficient reason to stop your vehicle in the first place.

We will also review toxicology reports and field sobriety tests to spot weaknesses or inconsistencies in the evidence against you.  We even use the administrative hearing on your temporary license as an opportunity to develop a record that can later benefit you at trial, especially in cross examination of the primary witnesses against you.

Protecting Your Liberty in Texas Felony DWI Cases


A felony is any crime that can be punished by a prison sentence of at least one year.  Even if you manage to get a suspended sentence on a felony DWI conviction, you may be looking at a license suspension that is measured in years, heavy fines and court costs, sky-high insurance rates and a host of other problems and consequences.

We approach felony DWI cases as we would any other serious criminal charge.  Starting with the careful evaluation of the government's case against you, we work toward an accurate assessment of the strength of the evidence and attack the government's case at its weakest points.  In any case involving drunk driving or an auto accident, that can require a painstaking investigation into the facts of the case and work with forensic experts.  Our goal in a DWI felony is to protect you from the risk of punishment to the greatest degree possible.  That means tearing away at the government's case as soon as we can.

These are examples of the kinds of DWI cases tha may be charged as felonies under Texas law:

  • Intoxication manslaughter, or a fatal accident alleged to have been caused by a drunk driver
  • Intoxication assault, or an injury accident allegedly caused by drunk driving
  • Any third conviction of DWI
  • Drunk driving with a child passenger - even on a first DWI arrest

Contact A Skilled DWI Trial Lawyer


Other facts or circumstances may also result in harsher penalties in a Texas DWI case.  Our attorneys develop and present your defense intelligently, aggressively and confidently.  Along the way, we will keep you fully advised of your risks and opportunities for a favorable resolution as they change over time.  Given the high stakes involved in a felony DWI prosecution, you can't afford to take chances with the quality of your defense.

Our experience with the defense of DUI or DWI charges can help people in a wide range of circumstances: first-time offenders, repeat offenders, juvenile or underage drivers, and people facing felony DWI penalties based on serious accident or other aggravating circumstances.

You can depend on our firm for sound advice and vigorous representation across the range of Texas drunk driving charges.  For more information regarding our approach to DWI defense contact our office at 832-699-1966 for a confidential consultation.

Experienced Houston Galveston DWI Defense

Do you know what is involved in the defense of a DWI charge in the state of Texas? With the help of an experienced Houston Galveston DWI Attorney there are ways to fight these types of charges and avoid the consequences. Lori Elaine Laird will develop a personalized action plan for your defense. She achieves outstanding results for her DWI clients through her creative defense techniques.

If you have been stopped, arrested, or charged with drunk driving in Houston-Clear Lake-Galveston area, it is in your best interest to discuss your options and rights as soon as possible with an experienced criminal defense lawyer. Drunk driving law is complicated and the guidance of a skilled and experienced attorney can make a substantial difference in the outcome of your case. If a plea negotiation is not desirable in your case, an aggressive approach toward developing your defense can lead to positive results in the pretrial and trial states of your case. For example, we will examine the arrest reports, witness statements and police video to find indications to scrutinize any indications that there was no legally sufficient reason to stop your vehicle in the first place.

We will also review the toxicology reports and field sobriety tests to spot weaknesses or inconsistencies in the evidence against you. We even use the administrative hearing as an opportunity to develop a record that can later benefit you at trial, especially in cross-examination of the primary witnesses against you.

Driving While Intoxicated (DWI)

An arrest for DWI can be a frightening and confusing experience. After an arrest for DWI in the greater Houston area of Texas, it is important to obtain an experienced criminal defense attorney quickly so that your attorney can take advantage of all methods available to attack the DWI charge. Although many people assume that an arrest always leads to a conviction, experienced DWI attorneys know that many of these offenses can get dismissed or reduced to less serious charges. Do not try to handle this legal situation by yourself. Lori Elaine Laird offers free consultations to evaluate your legal needs. Don't forget that time is a critical factor in DWI or drunk driving cases so call today to schedule your appointment at 832-699-1966.

Fighting DWI charges in Harris, Galveston, Fort Bend and Brazoria Counties

The best way to avoid a DWI conviction is to have an experienced DWI attorney by your side. A DWI conviction can cause thousands of dollars in court fine and court costs. There are also other costs associated with a DWI conviction such as increased insurance rates, lost employment prospects and possibly even denial of some educational opportunities. You can depend on attorney Lori Elaine Laird for sound advice and vigorous representation across the range of Texas drunk driving charges. If you have been arrested for DWI in the greater Houston area, including Harris, Montgomery, Fort Bend, Brazoria, Galveston, Chambers, Liberty, or Waller counties, contact my office for more information about my approach to client service to schedule your free and confidential consultation to discuss the specific facts of your Texas drunk driving case.

Go to Top