Shawn Brown, of the Law Offices of Shawn C. Brown, recently sat down with Shelly Miles on News 4 WOAI’s San Antonio Living to discuss the importance of staying safe during the holidays. Here are the key takeaways from their conversation.
🎄 Plan Ahead for a Safe Night Out
Shawn emphasized the importance of having a plan before heading out to holiday parties:
- If you know you’ll be drinking, call an Uber or arrange for a designated driver. 🚗
- Avoid putting yourself or others at risk by driving after consuming alcohol.
🚔 What Happens During a DWI Stop?
If you’re pulled over, here’s what you need to know:
- Officers are trained to spot signs of intoxication. If they smell alcohol or hear you admit to drinking, their suspicion increases.
- They may ask you to perform a field sobriety test.
Can You Refuse a Field Sobriety Test?
“Yes, absolutely,” says Shawn. However, he stresses the importance of being polite and respectful throughout the interaction.
- Remember: Officers wear body cameras. Everything you say and do is recorded and could be used against you.
🫁 Refusing a Breath Test
Shawn also explained that you can refuse a breath test. In his opinion, breath tests are not always reliable.
- If you refuse both the field sobriety and breath tests, you will likely be arrested for suspicion of DWI.
⚖️ What Happens Next?
Refusing tests doesn’t mean you’re automatically guilty, and it won’t automatically suspend your license.
- After an arrest, you have 15 days to request a hearing to fight for your license through a process called Administrative License Revocation (ALR).
- The ALR is a separate case from the DWI charge and gives you an opportunity to protect your driving privileges.
🛡️ What Should You Do If You’re Arrested?
If you find yourself in this situation, Shawn Brown advises:
- Stay calm and respectful.
- Contact a qualified DWI attorney immediately.
- Act quickly to request your ALR hearing within 15 days.
The holidays are a time for celebration, but safety should always come first. If you need legal assistance, the Law Offices of Shawn C. Brown is here to help.
📞 Call us anytime: 210-224-8200
🔗 Learn more about DWI defense: CLICK HERE
