Awards & Media Appearances
Step 1: The Booking Process 
Once you are arrested for DWI in Galveston County, you will be taken to a local jail for booking. This is the first official step in the legal process and can be daunting, especially if you are unfamiliar with the system. During booking, your personal information will be collected, including your name, address, and identification details. Additionally, you will be fingerprinted and may undergo a search of your belongings.
You will also be required to take a breathalyzer test, and in some cases, a blood test may be administered to measure your Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC). The results of these tests are vital in determining whether you were legally intoxicated at the time of your arrest. Refusing to take these tests can result in an automatic license suspension under Texas law.
What Happens After Booking?
Once booking is complete, you will remain in jail until your arraignment, which typically occurs within 48 hours of your arrest. During this time, you may be eligible for bail, depending on the specifics of your case. Zendeh Del & Associates PLLC can help you understand your rights and options during the booking process and prepare for the next steps, including posting bail.The Zendeh Del & Associates, PLLC Team
Step 2: The Arraignment
After booking, your first court appearance will be the arraignment. During the arraignment, the judge will read the formal charges against you and inform you of your rights. It is at this stage that your attorney will have an opportunity to enter a plea on your behalf, which could be “guilty,” “not guilty,” or “no contest.” If you plead “not guilty,” the case will proceed to the next stages, which may include pretrial motions, negotiations, and possibly trial. At Zendeh Del & Associates PLLC, we will work closely with you to develop a strong defense strategy, whether that means challenging the arrest itself, the BAC test results, or other elements of the case. In most cases, the judge will also set bail during the arraignment. Bail is an amount of money that ensures you return for your future court hearings. If you cannot afford bail, you may be able to work with a bondsman or request a reduction in the bail amount. Keep in mind that a DWI charge can be considered a serious offense, and a high bail amount may be set, depending on factors such as previous offenses or the severity of the incident.Step 3: Requesting an Administrative Hearing for License Suspension
In Texas, one of the immediate consequences of a DWI arrest is the suspension of your driver’s license. If you refused a breathalyzer or failed the test with a BAC of 0.08% or higher, your license will be automatically suspended. However, you have the right to challenge this suspension. Within 15 days of your arrest, you can request an administrative hearing with the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) to contest the license suspension. This is a separate proceeding from the criminal case but is equally important. At Zendeh Del & Associates PLLC, we can assist you with this process, ensuring that you have the best possible chance of retaining your driving privileges.Case Results
Step 4: Preparing for Trial or Settlement Negotiations
After the arraignment and any preliminary motions, the case will proceed to the next stage, where your defense strategy is put into action. At Zendeh Del & Associates PLLC, we meticulously review every detail of the arrest and evidence in order to determine the most effective approach. There are several potential paths a case could take after the initial stages:- Negotiating a Plea Deal: In some situations, we may recommend negotiating a plea deal with the prosecution. This could involve pleading guilty to a reduced charge in exchange for lesser penalties. This can be an effective option if the evidence is strong against you or if you have other reasons for wanting to resolve the case quickly.
- Fighting the Charges at Trial: If you choose to fight the charges, your case will proceed to trial. At trial, the prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you were driving while intoxicated. Zendeh Del & Associates PLLC will ensure that all aspects of your case are thoroughly examined, and we will present your defense to give you the best chance of a favorable outcome.
Step 5: Sentencing and Penalties
If you are convicted of DWI in Galveston County, the penalties can vary depending on factors such as prior offenses, whether there was an accident, and whether your BAC was significantly above the legal limit. The penalties for a first-time DWI offense in Texas can include:- A fine of up to $2,000
- A license suspension of up to one year
- Probation or community service
- Alcohol education classes
- Possible jail time (up to 180 days)