ALR Hearings

The Cochran Firm

One of the many things people must worry about after they have been stopped by police for driving while intoxicated (DWI) is driver’s license suspension.  At the time of their DWI stops, people are asked to consent to a breath alcohol test.  In order to pass the breath test, people must have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) that is below 0.08%, which is the state of Texas’ legal limit.  If people have a BAC that is at or above 0.08%, or refuse to consent to the breath test, they will be served with a notice of suspension and their driver’s licenses will be placed under suspension.

15 Day Rule

From the time people are served with notices of driver’s license suspension, they have 15 DAYS to schedule an Administrative License Revocation hearing (ALR hearing).  If people do not schedule their hearings, their driver’s licenses will remain suspended for a set period of time. If people schedule their ALR hearings within 15 days time, they will have a chance to contest the suspension of their driver’s licenses. 

Driver’s License Suspension

All ALR hearings are presided over by an administrative judge.  In cases where people refused to take breath alcohol tests, the judge may suspend their driver’s licenses for 180 days (for 1st time offenses).  If people took the breath test, but had blood alcohol concentrations of 0.08% or higher, the judge may suspend their driver’s licenses for up to 90 days (for 1st time offenses).

It is important for people to know that during an ALR hearing, the administrative judge is looking to see if:  the officer had sufficient reasons for making the DWI stop, the officer had probable cause for filing DWI charges, the driver had a BAC of 0.08% or higher and if the officer followed proper protocol.  All of these factors will be reviewed before the judge makes a decision.  If people are found “not guilty”, their licenses will be reinstated.  If they are found “guilty”, their licenses will remain revoked.

ALR Hearing Lawyers

To obtain the services of an aggressive Dallas ALR hearing lawyer, contact The Cochran Firm today!

The Cochran Firm remains committed to helping those who have been charged with misdemeanor and felony offenses in Dallas, Texas and surrounding localities.