First Offense DUI Defense in Bryan, TX
What to Expect in a Bryan, TX DUI Case
It can be an awful feeling for a driver when the lights of the police car show up in the rearview mirror. The feeling can get even worse when a breath or blood test shows the driver’s blood-alcohol content (BAC) level at or above 0.08%, the legal limit in the state of Texas. It can feel like there’s no way out. Defendants and their families need to know that this isn’t true—there are a lot of very realistic ways to successfully challenge a DWI charge. Our lawyers represent clients in Bryan, College Station, and throughout Brazos County.
James, Reynolds & Ask has fought for defendants since 1983. Our lawyers have over 90 years of combined experience. Three of our partners were former prosecutors. They know firsthand that the District Attorney’s case is not always as airtight as they would have defendants believe.
We strongly urge anyone charged with a DWI—before you plead out, call our office at (979) 227-3305. Our phone lines are open 24/7, and we offer free consultations.
Understanding DWI Penalties in Texas
The penalties for a first-time DWI offense in Texas include fines of up to $2,000, up to 180 days of jail time, and the loss of your driver’s license for up to two years.
For a second offense, the fines can be up to $4,000. The jail sentence will be at least one month and potentially as long as a year. Your driver’s license can still be taken away for as long as two years.
On a third offense, the potential fine skyrockets to $10,000, while prison time may be anywhere from 2 to 10 years.
In all cases, a DWI conviction may result in consequences ranging from a mandated ignition interlock device, a mandatory State traffic fine up to $6,000, and more.
It's important to note that these penalties apply not only to driving under the influence of alcohol but also encompass intoxication from any impairing substance, including drugs.
How to Challenge DWI Charges Effectively
Law enforcement has stringent requirements that must be met when they arrest someone for driving while intoxicated.
Those requirements include:
- The arresting officer must have had both reasonable suspicion to make the stop and probable cause to order the test.
- The breath or blood test results must be accurate.
Establishing Reasonable Suspicion in DWI Stops in Bryan
Texas police officers cannot pull over a vehicle unless they have "reasonable suspicion" that the driver is breaking the law. This means that the officer must have specific and articulable facts that, when combined with rational inferences from those facts, would lead them to reasonably suspect that the driver is under the influence of alcohol. A common example is when a driver starts to drift over the center line.
The concept of reasonable suspicion is grounded in the Fourth Amendment, which protects individuals from unreasonable searches and seizures by law enforcement. This legal standard ensures that traffic stops are not made arbitrarily or without sufficient cause. It requires officers to have objective reasons for suspecting that a violation of the law has occurred, providing a safeguard against unjustified intrusions into motorists' privacy.
Furthermore, the requirement for reasonable suspicion in Texas DWI stops underscores the importance of law enforcement officers observing specific behavior or circumstances that give them cause to believe a violation has occurred. This legal standard serves to balance the interests of public safety with individual rights, promoting fairness and lawful conduct in traffic enforcement procedures.
It has to be said that reasonable suspicion is not a high bar for the arresting officer to establish. However, our attorneys will still insist that this be proven. If it’s not, the charges must be dismissed.
Understanding Probable Cause in DWI Arrests With Our DWI Attorneys in Bryan
The concept of probable cause is closely intertwined with reasonable suspicion but represents a higher threshold of justification. In the context of a DWI stop, probable cause would be necessary for an arrest to be made after the initial stop based on reasonable suspicion.
For a DWI arrest in Texas, probable cause would entail the presence of facts and circumstances that would lead a reasonable person to believe that the driver was operating a vehicle while intoxicated. These could include the odor of alcohol or an open liquor container in the vehicle.
Police officers may also use a field test as the basis for an arrest and subsequent blood or breath tests. It bears emphasizing that drivers do not have to get out of their car and take a field test. However, if they do so voluntarily, the results of the field test can be used as probable cause.
DWI Defense for Students & Underage Drivers in Bryan, TX
Bryan's significant student population, including those attending Texas A&M University and Blinn College, creates unique challenges for underage drivers and students facing DWI charges. Texas employs a zero-tolerance law for minors, meaning any detectable amount of alcohol in a driver's system under 21 can result in severe administrative and criminal penalties. A conviction can affect not only driving privileges but also lead to university discipline, suspension from college activities, or even impact scholarships and financial aid. Our DWI attorneys in Bryan are highly familiar with the ways campus police, local law enforcement, and college disciplinary systems interact to enforce underage DWI laws.
At James, Reynolds & Ask, we recognize the unique anxieties students and their families experience when confronted with a DWI arrest that threatens academic and professional futures. Our DWI attorneys in Bryan assist clients in preparing for court, handling university hearings, and managing both the immediate and long-term implications of a student or underage DWI. We provide practical and compassionate guidance, ensuring our clients fully understand their rights, university protocols, and available legal options. Our dedication to clear communication and thorough representation makes us a valued choice for DWI defense in the Bryan and College Station area.
Don't wait. Reach out to us and let us help you with your case.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are The Long-Term Consequences of a DUI Conviction?
A DUI conviction in Brazos County can lead to serious long-term consequences. Aside from immediate penalties like fines and potential jail time, a conviction can result in a criminal record that may affect your employment opportunities, driving privileges, and insurance rates. Additionally, you may be required to install an ignition interlock device in your vehicle, which can be both inconvenient and costly.
What Should I Do Immediately After Being Charged With a First Offense DUI in Bryan, TX?
If you are charged with a first offense DUI in Bryan, TX, the most important steps are to remain calm, avoid making statements to law enforcement, and contact a qualified DWI attorney in Bryan as soon as possible. An experienced lawyer can help you understand your rights, advise you on the ALR hearing deadline, and begin building your defense immediately. Our law firm offers free consultations and is here to provide guidance without any upfront cost.
What Are The Differences Between Reasonable Suspicion and Probable Cause in DUI cases?
Inaccuracies in Blood Tests in DWI Cases
While blood tests are considered more reliable than breathalyzer tests in many DWI cases in Bryan, TX, these tests still have potential for significant inaccuracy. Collection, handling, storage, and laboratory analysis must comply strictly with Texas law to ensure valid results. Even minor flaws in chain of custody or lab protocol can create doubt about a blood test's reliability—and vigilant DWI attorneys in Bryan often find these issues during an independent review of evidence.
For instance, improper preservation of a blood sample or inconsistencies in chain-of-custody handling may undermine test validity. Law enforcement must provide persuasive documentation to demonstrate that every step from collection to analysis was completed according to regulations. At every point, our Bryan DWI lawyers challenge lapses or shortcuts that may impact your defense, especially when local labs and agencies are involved.
It’s essential to realize that even in Bryan and Brazos County, where local crime labs are usually diligent, regional factors such as a backlog of DWI cases, heavy caseloads, and variations in technician training can impact the testing process. Our DWI attorneys scrutinize every detail from sample collection to test results, seeking errors or omissions that can be used to challenge the prosecution’s scientific evidence and to safeguard your rights in court.
In addition, personal variables such as an individual's metabolism or medical issues can affect BAC results. Understanding these potential discrepancies, our DWI lawyers in Bryan work with qualified scientific and medical professionals to assess whether your test results are accurate or legally contestable in your unique case.
There are also common laboratory errors such as cross-contamination, mislabeled vials, and instances of mishandled blood samples that can invalidate results. Reviewing these possibilities as part of every DWI defense case is one of the hallmarks of our practice.
Finally, the use of outdated testing equipment or human error in laboratory analysis can compromise the reliability of blood test results in DWI cases in Bryan. Our DWI attorneys are vigilant in pursuing these and other defense strategies to ensure that scientific evidence presented by the prosecution is thoroughly checked before being used against you in court.
Experienced DWI Lawyers in Bryan, College Station, & Brazos County
When you’re facing a DWI charge, experience and thorough preparation make all the difference. The DWI attorneys at James, Reynolds & Ask know every angle for challenging tests, roadside stops, and the unique circumstances surrounding your arrest in Bryan or College Station. We understand how to question whether a DWI test was truly accurate or legally administered. We also know which investigative strategies can uncover errors by law enforcement or expose weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, thanks to our deep background—including the unique perspective of former prosecutors and a detective on our team.
If you’re facing fines, license suspension, increased insurance premiums, or jail, it’s essential to contact a local DWI attorney in Bryan who can quickly assess your situation. Calling James, Reynolds & Ask gives you direct access to a legal team who knows what it takes to defend you—whether through negotiations, administrative defense, or courtroom advocacy.
Bryan and College Station residents, as well as students at Texas A&M University, encounter unique requirements in the local courts, such as court-mandated classes, frequent court appearances, and detailed interaction with Brazos County probation officers. Judges may approach DWI sentencing or diversion differently depending on the location of the offense, your age, and your prior history. As trusted DWI attorneys in Bryan, we leverage community knowledge and long-standing relationships in the regional legal system to build effective defense strategies. We remain highly attuned to law enforcement trends, such as DWI checkpoints near main event venues and student routes, to better anticipate how your case will be handled locally.
Field Sobriety & Breath Test Procedures in Bryan DWI Cases
In Bryan, TX, law enforcement often administers field sobriety and breath tests as part of DWI investigations. While these tests are standardized by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), local enforcement practices and officer training can vary, especially at certain times of year and around major campus or city events. DWI lawyers in Bryan know how to identify improper administration of sobriety tests or flaws in the use of breath test equipment, finding discrepancies that can affect the admissibility of evidence. Our team reviews all available evidence—including the horizontal gaze nystagmus, walk-and-turn, and one-leg stand tests—ensuring every step followed NHTSA and Texas Department of Public Safety guidelines.
When you choose James, Reynolds & Ask, your DWI attorney in Bryan will scrutinize the technical aspects of your case as closely as the facts. With prior prosecutorial and investigative experience, we recognize both minor and major procedural missteps that others may miss. We use our knowledge of local law enforcement, court processes, and evidentiary rules to advocate for your best interests, challenging the prosecution's evidence as appropriate. Our detail-oriented, informed approach helps create the most promising pathway to a strong legal defense.
We can be reached at (979) 227-3305 or by contacting us online.
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Board Certified Criminal SpecialistsOur attorneys are Board Certified Criminal Specialist
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Unrivaled Legal ExperienceWe are the sole firm between Dallas and Houston boasting three Board-Certified criminal lawyers and three former Brazos County prosecutors.
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Respected AdvocatesRespected within the legal community, we are known for our commitment to excellence, integrity, and tenacious advocacy on behalf of our clients.
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90 Years of Collective Experience in Criminal LawWe are the only firm in the Brazos Valley that has over 90 years of collective experience.
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Offering 100% Free ConsultsLearn how our defense lawyers can help during a free consult.
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Results-Driven ApproachWe tirelessly pursue the best results for our clients through negotiation, litigation, and innovative legal strategies.
Our Clients Come First
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"I wouldn't be where I am now without their help."
When I was in college, I made some really stupid mistakes. James, Reynolds & Ask helped me out of some tough situations and made sure my record stayed clean. I wouldn't be where I am now without their help.- T.M. -
"I couldn't be more grateful for everything they did."
When I was arrested, I thought my life was over. Not only was I facing prison time, I was convinced that I was going to lose my family. The guys at James, Reynolds & Ask really turned the situation around, and I still have my family, my job, and my freedom. I couldn't be more grateful for everything they did.- B.W. -
"I recommend this law firm without hesitation."
James, Reynolds & Ask is a firm built on a foundation of professionalism, deft skill and service to their clients.
- A.H. -
"I trust each of the attorneys in their office and would hire them in a heartbeat if needed."
I have worked with this law firm many times. They are one of the best firms I know with the best attorneys and staff around. They have assisted my firm in many cases and are available to help if we ever need them. I trust each of the attorneys in their office and would hire them in a heartbeat if needed.- A.H.
