Lockhart Administrative License Revocation Lawyer

An arrest for driving while intoxicated in Caldwell County sets two separate processes in motion at once. One is the criminal case in court. The other is an administrative proceeding with the Texas Department of Public Safety, and this second track moves on its own schedule, under its own rules, with its own consequences for your driving privilege. The Lockhart administrative license revocation lawyer at The Law Offices of David C. Hardaway handles both tracks together, because letting one slip while focusing on the other is how people end up losing a license they could have kept.

The administrative license revocation process in Texas is time-sensitive in a way that surprises most people. After a DWI arrest, the arresting officer typically issues a notice of suspension that doubles as a temporary driving permit. That permit has an expiration date, and the deadline to request a hearing before the State Office of Administrative Hearings is strict. Missing it means the suspension takes effect automatically, without any review of whether the stop was lawful, whether the breath or blood test was properly conducted, or whether the officer followed the required procedures. That is a significant outcome decided entirely by inaction.

Lockhart sits in Caldwell County, and drivers arrested in and around the area, whether on US-183, State Highway 142, or the roads connecting to Luling, Gonzales County, or out toward Bastrop, face the same compressed timeline. The Law Offices of David C. Hardaway serves this community from its San Marcos office and represents clients in Caldwell County proceedings and throughout the surrounding region.

What an ALR Hearing Actually Involves

The Texas administrative license revocation process is not a criminal trial. It is a separate civil administrative hearing focused on a narrower set of questions: Was the officer legally authorized to request a specimen? Was the person placed under arrest? Did the person refuse, or did they provide a specimen that registered at or above the legal limit? These questions sound simple, but the answers depend heavily on how the stop was initiated, what the officer documented, and whether the testing procedures were properly followed.

An ALR hearing gives a Lockhart administrative license revocation attorney the ability to subpoena the arresting officer and put them under oath before the criminal case proceeds to trial. That is a strategic advantage that experienced defense counsel takes seriously. The officer’s testimony at the ALR hearing becomes a recorded account that can later be compared to what they say in the criminal proceeding. Inconsistencies matter. Gaps in the officer’s recollection matter. And sometimes, the officer simply does not appear, which can result in the suspension being dismissed entirely.

This is also an opportunity to examine the breath or blood testing process before the prosecution has had a chance to build and refine its case. Were the intoxilyzer maintenance records current? Was the blood sample collected and stored according to protocol? Was the chain of custody intact? These issues surface during ALR proceedings, and the answers can shape the entire defense strategy going forward.

What the Law Offices of David C. Hardaway Brings to ALR Cases in Caldwell County

The Law Offices of David C. Hardaway represents clients across a wide corridor of Central Texas, including Caldwell County and the communities surrounding Lockhart. Client reviews describe the firm as responsive and direct, with one reviewer noting that David Hardaway “always spoke to me straight” and another commenting that he was “always able to get ahold of David when needed.” For time-sensitive matters like an ALR proceeding, that kind of accessibility is not just a nice quality in a firm. It is operationally important.

The firm handles both misdemeanor and felony DWI cases alongside the associated administrative license matters, which means the defense strategy across both proceedings is coordinated rather than fragmented. Clients are not handed off between departments or left to manage two separate attorneys. Reviewers have described cases that were dismissed rather than resolved by conviction, and the firm’s stated approach emphasizes investigating thoroughly and looking at every angle before accepting any outcome as fixed.

For someone in Lockhart who needs an ALR hearing requested and a DWI defense prepared simultaneously, that kind of integrated attention matters. A Caldwell County administrative license revocation attorney who understands both the DPS administrative process and the Caldwell County criminal courts can use each proceeding to inform the other.

Key Issues That Arise in Lockhart-Area ALR Cases

• The 15-day request deadline: Texas law requires that a hearing request be submitted to the Texas Department of Public Safety within 15 days of receiving the notice of suspension. Missing this window results in an automatic suspension that takes effect without review.
• Refusal versus test failure suspensions: The duration of the administrative suspension differs depending on whether the driver refused to provide a specimen or provided one that exceeded the legal limit. Refusal suspensions carry longer automatic periods and have different rules around hardship licenses.
• Officer subpoenas and no-show outcomes: If the arresting officer is subpoenaed and fails to appear at the ALR hearing, the administrative law judge may dismiss the suspension. Properly serving the subpoena and appearing ready to proceed is critical.
• Blood draw procedures and chain of custody: In cases involving a blood specimen rather than a breath test, the collection procedure, the credentials of the person who drew the blood, and the handling of the sample are all challengeable issues at an ALR hearing.
• Driving record implications for CDL holders: Commercial driver’s license holders face additional consequences beyond the standard suspension. Even a suspension in a personal vehicle can affect a CDL, and the interplay between federal regulations and state ALR procedures requires careful handling.
• Occupational license eligibility: Depending on the circumstances, a person facing suspension may be eligible for an occupational driver’s license that allows driving for essential purposes. Knowing when to pursue this option and how to document the need is part of managing the administrative process effectively.
• Prior ALR history and enhanced suspension periods: A prior administrative license revocation or certain prior criminal convictions can increase the length of the suspension. Understanding the driver’s history before the hearing shapes the strategy.

What to Do After a DWI Arrest in Lockhart or Caldwell County

The first thing to understand is that the notice of suspension you received at arrest or from the officer contains the deadline information for requesting your ALR hearing. Read it carefully, or better yet, get it to an attorney immediately who can read it for you. The date printed on that document controls everything that follows on the administrative track.

In Caldwell County, criminal DWI cases are handled in the Caldwell County District Courts and County Courts at Law, located at the Caldwell County Courthouse in Lockhart at 110 South Main Street. The administrative license revocation process, however, runs through the Texas Department of Public Safety and is heard through the State Office of Administrative Hearings, which has its main Austin office. Cases in the Lockhart area are typically handled through that Austin system, and knowing how to navigate both the local courthouse and the state administrative process simultaneously is important from day one.

Do not wait to request the ALR hearing even if you are not sure whether you want to fight the suspension. Requesting the hearing does not commit you to a particular outcome; it preserves your options. Not requesting it eliminates them. Once the hearing is set, your attorney can gather the relevant DPS records, the officer’s incident report, the breath or blood test results, and any video from the stop or arrest. In Lockhart-area cases, that often means working with the Lockhart Police Department or the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office to obtain records.

If you hold a commercial driver’s license, contact an attorney before doing anything else. The consequences for CDL holders are distinct and often more immediate, and the decisions made in the early hours and days after an arrest can affect your livelihood directly. Similarly, if this is a second or subsequent DWI-related matter, the suspension periods and conditions differ, and coordinating the criminal defense strategy with the ALR defense from the start is especially important.

Common Questions About ALR Proceedings Near Lockhart

What is the Texas administrative license revocation process?

When a person is arrested for DWI in Texas and either refuses a breath or blood test or provides a specimen at or above the legal limit, the Texas Department of Public Safety initiates a civil administrative proceeding to suspend their driver’s license. This is separate from the criminal case and is handled through the State Office of Administrative Hearings. The suspension is automatic if no hearing is requested within 15 days of receiving the notice.

How long is the license suspension if I lose the ALR hearing?

The length depends on whether you refused the test or provided a specimen above the limit, and whether you have prior ALR suspensions or certain prior convictions on your record. Suspensions for a first-time test failure are generally shorter than refusal suspensions. Prior incidents can result in significantly longer suspension periods. An attorney can advise on your specific situation based on your actual record.

Can I drive while the ALR process is pending?

If you requested a hearing in time, the temporary driving permit issued at your arrest remains valid until the hearing is held and a decision is issued. In practice, this means the hearing request can extend your driving privilege for a period beyond what the automatic suspension would have allowed. Once a suspension takes effect, you would need to explore whether you qualify for an occupational license.

Does the ALR hearing affect my criminal DWI case?

The two proceedings are legally separate, but they are connected strategically. Evidence developed at the ALR hearing, particularly officer testimony given under oath, can be valuable in the criminal case. Defense attorneys who handle both simultaneously can use the ALR process to gather information and test the officer’s account before the criminal trial begins.

What happens if the officer does not show up to the ALR hearing?

If the officer has been properly subpoenaed and does not appear, the administrative law judge has the authority to dismiss the suspension. This outcome does not affect the criminal case, but it preserves the driver’s license. Whether this happens depends on whether the subpoena was properly served and whether the attorney is present and ready to proceed.

I was arrested outside Lockhart, but I live there. Where is my ALR hearing held?

ALR hearings in Texas are conducted through the State Office of Administrative Hearings. The location is not necessarily tied to where you live or where the arrest occurred. Your notice of suspension will contain information about how to request the hearing, and the assigned location is determined by DPS and SOAH procedures. An attorney familiar with this process can manage the hearing logistics regardless of where in Central Texas the arrest took place.

Can a CDL driver get an occupational license during an ALR suspension?

Federal regulations generally prohibit CDL holders from operating a commercial motor vehicle under an occupational or restricted license. Even if an occupational license is granted for driving a personal vehicle, it does not restore the ability to drive commercially. For CDL holders, the consequences of an ALR suspension are often more severe than for other drivers, which makes contesting the suspension at every available stage especially important.

What if the blood test results came back after I was released?

If the arresting officer requested a blood draw and you were not served with a notice of suspension at the scene because results were pending, you may receive the notice later. The 15-day deadline runs from when you receive that notice, not from the date of arrest. However, do not delay contacting an attorney once you become aware an arrest occurred, regardless of when the suspension notice arrives.

Does winning the ALR hearing mean the DWI charge is dropped?

No. The administrative proceeding and the criminal case are independent. Winning the ALR hearing, whether because the officer did not appear, because a procedural issue was identified, or because the administrative law judge ruled in your favor, does not result in dismissal of the criminal charge. However, the information developed during the ALR process can inform and strengthen the criminal defense.

Is there any point in requesting the ALR hearing if I know I will probably lose it?

Yes. Requesting the hearing delays the automatic suspension, preserves your driving privilege during the pendency of the proceeding, and creates an opportunity to subpoena and cross-examine the arresting officer under oath before the criminal case advances. Even if the suspension is ultimately upheld, the information gathered and the delay in consequences are both worth pursuing in most cases.

Representing Drivers in Lockhart, Caldwell County, and the Surrounding Region

The Law Offices of David C. Hardaway represents clients facing administrative license revocation proceedings and DWI charges throughout Caldwell County and the broader Central Texas area. This includes drivers from Lockhart itself, as well as Luling, Martindale, Prairie Lea, Dale, and Maxwell in Caldwell County. The firm also serves clients coming from neighboring counties, including those along the US-183 corridor between Lockhart and Gonzales, and those traveling State Highway 130 between the Lockhart area and the Austin metro.

The firm’s practice extends into Guadalupe County, including Seguin and Schertz, and south through Gonzales County and into the communities east of the I-35 corridor. Clients from the Bastrop and Lee County areas are also served, as are those from Hays County communities including San Marcos, Kyle, and Buda. The firm’s San Marcos office, located in downtown San Marcos just off I-35, is accessible from Lockhart via State Highway 142 and the connecting roads through the region. State Highway 123 also provides a direct route for clients coming from the Guadalupe County direction.

Wherever in Caldwell County or the surrounding area a client is located, the firm approaches every ALR case with the same goal: use the administrative proceeding strategically, not just defensively.

Talk to a Lockhart Administrative License Revocation Attorney Before the Deadline Passes

The 15-day window to request an ALR hearing does not pause while you figure out your next step. A Lockhart administrative license revocation attorney at The Law Offices of David C. Hardaway can review your notice of suspension, identify the applicable deadline, and submit the hearing request immediately so your options stay open. From there, the firm handles the administrative proceeding and coordinates it with your DWI defense so nothing falls through the gap between the two tracks.

Contact The Law Offices of David C. Hardaway to schedule a confidential consultation about your ALR matter and your DWI case. The sooner you reach out, the more room there is to work with.