DUI & DRIVERS LICENSE SUSPENSION

Administrative License Suspension (ALS)

An arrest for DUI usually leads to a criminal case. In most instances, the police officer also issues a “Notice of Suspension/Temporary Driving Permit.” This is generally because the person arrested refused to submit to a breath or blood test, or did consent to a breath or blood test and the result was an alcohol concentration greater than 0.08. This begins a civil action by DPS to attempt to suspend a person's license.

DPS will automatically suspend a license on midnight of the 30th day following the date of arrest, unless, within ten days of the arrest, you request a hearing challenging the attempted suspension.  DPS will not suspend your license until after the hearing concludes.

There are two important reasons to request an ALS hearing. First, you may win (or the State may fail to prove its case), in which case you keep your license until resolution of the criminal case. Second, we get a preview of the State's criminal case, including discovery of the police officer's reasons for the arrest (usually in the form of a police report) and an opportunity to cross-examine the police officer (usually before the prosecutor is even aware of the pending criminal case).
Exercising your right to an ALR hearing is time-sensitive – please contact us immediately so that we may preserve your license rights.

Work Permit

If your license is suspended, either due to a DUI arrest or conviction, or for any other reason, you may petition the Court for a work permit (either in the Court with jurisdiction of your criminal case, or the Court in your county of residence).

A work permit is a restricted license that allows you to meet your “essential needs” such as work or school. The Court may limit your driving to scheduled times subject to an inspection that you do not exceed your authorized hours.

If you drive while your license is suspended, you may be charged with a misdemeanor offense of Driving While License Suspended. If you are on Community Supervision, the State may file a Motion to Revoke your Probation Supervision. If you violate the conditions of your work permit you may be charged with driving on a suspended license.

If you have been charged with DUI, fill out our online form or call us at 678-CHAPMAN (678-242-7626) to start your case review today at absolutely no cost to you.