The most important thing after a DWI arrest to remember is that you need to consult an attorney, and you need to do so immediately. The sooner we can get working on your case, the more options we have to build a strong defense and try to keep your driver’s license

There are a few steps that we take in every drunk driving case.

• Step 1: Fight to protect your license. The Department of Public Safety (DPS) will immediately move to have your license suspended after a drunk driving arrest. You have only 15 days from the date of your arrest to request an administrative license revocation (ALR) hearing to contest the suspension. If you miss that window, the DPS can suspend your license for at least 90 days, if not more. Yes, you still lose your driving privileges even if the charges are eventually dismissed. Having a lawyer during this hearing vastly improves your chance at keeping your license.

• Step 2: Fight to keep your record clean. Getting DWI charges dismissed is always our primary goal. We do this by looking at all possible defenses. Did the officer have probable cause to make a stop? Or did the officer have reasonable suspicion of impairment to ask you to submit to a breath test? Are the test results reliable? When we cannot get the charges dismissed, we will look for alternative sentencing options that keep a conviction off your permanent record.

• Step 3: Fight to protect your freedom, reduce penalties. The minimum mandatory jail sentence for a first-offense is three days. Depending on the circumstances, that number can increase significantly. You can also face heavy fines — up to $2,000 for a first offense. You could be required to install an ignition interlock device, which leads to more costs you would be responsible for paying. We put every effort into getting the charges and penalties reduced when the circumstances do not leave room for dismissal.