Hays County CDL DWI Lawyer
Protecting Commercial Drivers from Career-Ending DWI Charges
If you’re a commercial driver charged with DWI in Hays County, you are facing more than just a criminal case. A conviction could cost you your Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and put your entire career at risk.
Whether you were driving a big rig, a bus, or even your personal vehicle when you were arrested, the stakes are much higher for CDL holders. Texas law is unforgiving, and many employers in the trucking and transportation industry have zero-tolerance policies for DWI arrests.
At The Law Offices of David C. Hardaway, we defend commercial drivers throughout San Marcos, Kyle, Buda, Dripping Springs, Wimberley, and countywide. Our Hays County CDL DWI defense lawyers know how to fight DWI charges strategically and how to protect the licenses that keep you on the road.
How CDL DWI Cases Are Different in Texas
Most drivers in Texas are held to a legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit of 0.08%. For CDL holders driving a commercial vehicle, the limit is only 0.04%. If you test at or above that level while operating a commercial vehicle, you could immediately lose your CDL.
But here’s where it gets even tougher. A DWI arrest while driving your personal vehicle still impacts your CDL, and refusing a breath or blood test automatically triggers a license suspension. It doesn’t matter whether you were driving commercially at the time or not.
Even a first offense can cost you a one-year disqualification of your CDL. For many drivers, that’s a career-ending penalty.
What Are the CDL DWI Penalties in Hays County?
CDL DWI cases bring two battles: criminal penalties, which can lead to jail time, fines, and license suspensions; and administrative penalties, which can result in CDL disqualification by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS).
If you are convicted or fail to fight the suspension, you could face:
- One-year CDL disqualification for a first offense
- Lifetime CDL disqualification for a second offense
- Criminal penalties such as jail time, fines, probation, and alcohol education classes
- Suspension of your personal driver’s license
If you were transporting hazardous materials at the time of your arrest, the disqualification period may be even longer.
Hays County Administrative License Revocation (ALR) for CDL Drivers
When you’re arrested for DWI in Hays County, your license isn’t automatically suspended immediately. But it will be unless you act fast. You must request an Administrative License Revocation (ALR) hearing within 15 days of your arrest. This hearing is your chance to challenge the suspension and protect your CDL.
At The Law Offices of David C. Hardaway, we know how to approach these hearings with precision. We use all applicable strategies, including challenging the legality of the traffic stop, the arresting officer’s procedures, the accuracy of the breath or blood test, and whether your rights were properly explained.
Requesting an ALR hearing is not simply an academic exercise. Winning an ALR hearing can help you:
- Prevent a CDL suspension
- Gather evidence that can strengthen your criminal defense case
- Keep you working while we fight the DWI charges in court
When your CDL is on the line, the consequences go beyond court fines or jail time. You may face immediate job loss, difficulty getting hired by other trucking or transportation companies, higher insurance costs, and limited or no access to jobs in your field. Your CDL is your livelihood. You cannot afford to face these charges without an experienced defense attorney who understands what’s at stake for you.
How We Defend CDL DWI Charges in Hays County
Every case is different, but we pursue every possible defense strategy, including:
- Challenging whether the initial traffic stop was legal
- Disputing the accuracy of breath or blood test results
- Investigating whether proper testing procedures were followed
- Questioning whether the arresting officer had probable cause
- Negotiating for reduced charges or case dismissal when appropriate
We fight to protect both your commercial and personal driving privileges.
Call The Law Offices of David C. Hardaway Today
When you’re facing a CDL DWI charge in Hays County, time is not on your side. Your job, your license, and your future could all be at risk. At The Law Offices of David C. Hardaway, we offer aggressive, focused defense for commercial drivers in Hays County. We will act quickly to request your ALR hearing, develop a defense strategy, and guide you through every step of the process with clear communication and innovative tactics.
Call us today or contact us online to schedule a confidential consultation. Let’s fight to protect your livelihood and your future.
