Travis County
DWI Defense Attorney
Arrested for DWI in Travis County? Call now — 24/7 — and get connected with an experienced DWI defense attorney who handles cases at the Austin courthouse.
Free consultation · No obligation · Central Texas
⚠️ You Have 15 Days to Save Your License
After a DWI arrest in Travis County, Texas automatically moves to suspend your driver’s license. You have only 15 days to request an Administrative License Revocation (ALR) hearing. Miss this deadline and your license is suspended — even if your criminal case is later dismissed. Don’t wait.
What a DWI Attorney Fights in Travis County
🔬 Blood & Breath Tests
Breath test machines malfunction. Blood samples get contaminated. Chain of custody breaks. An experienced attorney knows how to challenge the science behind your test results.
🚶 Field Sobriety Tests
The walk-and-turn, one-leg stand, and HGN tests are subjective and often administered incorrectly. Medical conditions, road surfaces, footwear, and weather can all produce false results.
🚔 The Traffic Stop
Police need reasonable suspicion to pull you over and probable cause to arrest you. If the officer didn’t have a valid legal reason, everything that followed may be inadmissible in court.
📋 ALR Hearings
The ALR hearing is your chance to fight a license suspension — and it’s also a preview of the state’s case. Your attorney can cross-examine the officer and lock in testimony that helps your defense.
DWI in Travis County, Texas
County Seat
Austin, Texas
Region
Central Texas
Courthouse
Travis County Courthouse, Austin
DWI Cases Handled By
Travis County District & County Courts
Who Answers When You Call From Travis County
Every Call DWI consultation request from Travis County connects to Stephen T Bowling, DWI & Criminal Defense Attorneys — an Austin firm built by former law enforcement officers who now defend the people they once arrested. Misdemeanor DWI cases in Travis County are heard in the County Courts at Law at the Blackwell-Thurman Criminal Justice Center in downtown Austin, and the firm’s attorneys are in those courts week after week. From no-refusal weekend arrests near the Sixth Street entertainment district to stops on I-35 and MoPac, they know how Travis County builds a DWI case — because they used to build them.
Stephen T Bowling — Founder & CEO
Stephen has represented thousands of criminal defense clients across Central Texas. His military background and former law enforcement experience shape the firm’s approach — and his own arrest experience is why the firm promises constant communication on every case.
David M Thomas — Managing Partner
David served as both a patrol officer and a S.W.A.T. officer before law school, investigating crimes ranging from DWI to murder. That experience has led to phenomenal outcomes in thousands of criminal defense cases.
Rafael Zapata-Yordan — Partner
A litigator in state and federal courts since 2000, Rafael has taken hundreds of cases to trial and resolved thousands over the last two decades.
Peter Luning Prak — Attorney
A graduate of the NYU School of Law licensed in multiple states, Peter is a litigator who prefers to be in court.
The firm offers transparent flat fees with monthly payment plans, free case evaluations, and 24/7 availability. Meet the full team at Stephen T Bowling, DWI & Criminal Defense Attorneys.
Transparent Flat-Fee Pricing for Travis County
Pricing shown is for Stephen T Bowling, DWI & Criminal Defense Attorneys, the network attorney for Travis County. You will know the full cost of your defense before you hire — no hourly billing, no surprise invoices, and no separate charge to take your case to trial. Interest-free financing over 10 months is available on every DWI case.
| Charge | Flat fee starts at | Interest-free financing (10 months) |
|---|---|---|
| First DWI | $5,000 | $500 / month |
| Second DWI | $7,000 | $700 / month |
| Felony DWI | $10,000 | $1,000 / month |
| DWI ALR hearing | Included | Included |
| Trial fee | Included | Included |
The firm offers 10 monthly payments with the first payment due at hiring. Listed financing prices include auto-pay enrollment; the client is responsible for keeping the credit card on file updated. Financing shown is for the starting fee; enhanced charges scale proportionally. Your exact flat fee is confirmed at your free consultation. Prices are subject to change at any time; the fee quoted in your signed representation agreement is the fee that controls.
Why the ALR Hearing Is Included
The ALR hearing is a critical moment to tie the arresting officer to his report — under oath, months before the criminal case is decided. Cross-examination locks in sworn testimony about the stop, the field sobriety tests, and the arrest; inconsistencies become impeachment material, and the hearing forces an early preview of the state’s evidence. Information developed at the ALR regularly exposes suppression issues that lead to criminal DWI dismissals. Requesting it within 15 days also protects your license from automatic suspension while the case is pending.
Why the Trial Fee Is Included
Hiring the firm means hiring it for the full case. Every case is prepared as if it is going to trial — prosecutors know which defense lawyers are ready to pick a jury and which are looking to plead. Most cases settle before trial, but trial readiness is exactly what produces the best outcomes. There is never a mid-case invoice to take your own case to trial.
Texas DWI Penalties
If convicted of DWI in Travis County, Texas penalties are severe and escalate with each offense:
1st Offense
Up to 180 days jail
Up to $2,000 fine
License suspension 90 days–1 year
Class B Misdemeanor
2nd Offense
30 days–1 year jail
Up to $4,000 fine
License suspension 180 days–2 years
Class A Misdemeanor
3rd+ Offense
2–10 years prison
Up to $10,000 fine
License suspension 180 days–2 years
3rd Degree Felony
Don’t Face Travis County Courts Alone
Every minute counts after a DWI arrest. Call now for a free consultation with an attorney who knows Travis County.
Frequently Asked Questions — Travis County DWI
What happens after a DWI arrest in Travis County?
After a DWI arrest in Travis County, you’ll be booked at the Austin jail and given a court date. You have only 15 days to request an ALR hearing to fight your license suspension. An experienced DWI attorney can guide you through the Travis County court system and protect your rights from day one.
How much does a DWI lawyer cost in Travis County?
For Travis County, Stephen T Bowling, DWI & Criminal Defense Attorneys charges transparent flat fees: a first DWI starts at $5,000, a second DWI at $7,000, and a felony DWI at $10,000 — with the ALR hearing and the trial fee included at no extra charge. Interest-free 10-month financing is available (first DWI: $500 per month, first payment due at hiring). Your consultation through Call DWI is always free, and your exact flat fee is confirmed at that consultation. Prices are subject to change at any time; the fee quoted in your signed representation agreement is the fee that controls.
Can a DWI charge be dismissed in Travis County?
Yes. DWI cases in Travis County can be dismissed for many reasons: improper traffic stops, faulty breath or blood tests, improperly administered field sobriety tests, and constitutional violations. An attorney who knows the Travis County courts and prosecutors can identify weaknesses in the state’s case.
What is an ALR hearing and why does the 15-day deadline matter?
An ALR (Administrative License Revocation) hearing is your chance to fight the automatic suspension of your driver’s license after a DWI arrest in Texas. You must request this hearing within 15 days of your arrest — miss the deadline and your license is automatically suspended. An ALR hearing also gives your attorney a chance to cross-examine the arresting officer and preview the state’s evidence.
Should I refuse a breathalyzer in Travis County?
Texas has an implied consent law — refusing a breathalyzer triggers an automatic 180-day license suspension for a first refusal. However, refusing may limit the evidence against you. This is a complex decision with serious consequences either way. Call a DWI attorney immediately after your arrest to discuss your specific situation.
DWI Attorneys in Nearby Counties
ATTORNEY ADVERTISING. Call DWI is a marketing and technology platform operated by Max AI, Inc. Call DWI is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Each attorney in the network is independently licensed and practices independently. A free consultation does not establish an attorney-client relationship. Results vary by case.
More Travis County DWI resources: Stephen T Bowling’s Travis County DWI defense guide (published flat fees) and Texas Defense Team’s Travis County guide.