DWI Defense in Temple, Texas
Attorney Frank Cimino · Serving Temple, Bell County and Central Texas
A DWI arrest can put your driver’s license, your job, and your record at risk. DWI cases are among the most complicated misdemeanors because they turn on both the law and the science: breath and blood testing, field sobriety tests, and the officer’s reasons for stopping you. Attorney Frank Cimino has defended people charged with DWI in Temple and throughout Central Texas since 2003.
DWI Cases We Handle
- First-time DWI
- Second and third DWI (repeat offenses)
- DWI with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.15 or higher
- DWI with a child passenger
- Felony DWI, including intoxication assault
- ALR license suspension hearings
How Frank Reviews a DWI Case
- Whether the officer had a lawful reason to stop you
- How field sobriety tests were given and scored
- Whether breath or blood testing was done correctly
- Patrol car and body camera video
- Whether your rights were respected during the arrest
What to Do After a DWI Arrest
- Write down everything you remember about the stop and arrest.
- Don’t discuss your case with anyone but your lawyer, including on social media.
- Keep all of your paperwork, including any notice of license suspension.
- Call a lawyer right away so the 15-day ALR deadline doesn’t pass.
DWI is one part of Frank’s criminal defense practice, which covers misdemeanor and felony charges of all kinds.
DWI Cases in Bell, Coryell and McLennan Counties
Frank handles DWI cases in the courts of Bell, Coryell and McLennan counties. Most DWI arrests in Temple, Killeen, Belton and Harker Heights are prosecuted in Bell County, with hearings in Belton. Arrests around Copperas Cove and Gatesville go to Coryell County, and arrests in and around Waco go to McLennan County. Each county has its own prosecutors, local procedures and pretrial programs, and knowing how a particular court works can make a real difference in how a case is resolved.
What Happens After a DWI Arrest in Temple or Killeen
After a DWI arrest, you are usually taken to the city jail or the county jail and brought before a magistrate, who explains the charge and sets bond. Bond often comes with conditions, such as an ignition interlock device or no alcohol. The officer will also take your driver’s license and give you a notice of suspension, which starts the 15-day clock to request an ALR hearing.
Your criminal case then moves to the county court or, for felony DWI, the district court. The ALR case and the criminal case are separate: you can win one and lose the other, and the ALR hearing is often the first chance to question the arresting officer under oath.
DWI Questions and Answers
Will I lose my driver’s license after a DWI arrest?
Not automatically, but it can happen. If you refused a breath or blood test or your result was 0.08 or higher, your license can be suspended through the ALR process unless you request a hearing within 15 days. Even if a suspension happens, you may qualify for an occupational driver’s license that lets you drive to work, school and other essential places.
Is a first DWI a misdemeanor in Texas?
Usually. A first DWI is generally a Class B misdemeanor, or a Class A misdemeanor if the alcohol concentration was 0.15 or higher. Having a passenger younger than 15 makes it a state jail felony, and a third DWI is a felony.
Should I refuse a breath or blood test?
That is a personal decision with consequences either way. A refusal can lead to a longer license suspension, and officers can often get a warrant for a blood draw. What matters now is reviewing how the test, or the refusal, was handled in your case.
Can a DWI be dismissed or reduced?
Sometimes. Problems with the reason for the stop, the field sobriety tests, or how the breath or blood sample was collected and tested can lead to a reduced charge or a dismissal. Every case is different, and no lawyer can promise a result.
I’m in the military at Fort Hood. How does a DWI affect me?
A civilian DWI arrest can also have consequences with your command. Frank has worked with service members in Central Texas for years and can help you understand how the civilian case may affect your military career.
Charged With DWI? Talk With Frank.
Call (254) 220-4096 or send us a message to talk with Attorney Frank Cimino about your case. Office: 704 North 3rd St., Temple, TX 76501.
This page provides general information, not legal advice. Contacting the firm does not create an attorney-client relationship.