DUI/DWI
Getting out of Jail Is Easy, Staying out Is Important.
DUI & DWI Defense in Brazoria County
Your Guide to DUI & DWI Charges, Charge Types & Defense Options
A DUI or DWI charge in Texas can follow you for years. The specific charge you face, whether a first-offense misdemeanor DUI, a repeat DWI, a felony charge, or a drug-related impaired driving offense, shapes everything: the penalties at stake, the defenses available, and the strategy that makes sense for your case. At Law Office of Tom & Ann Stickler, our board-certified attorneys have represented clients across Brazoria County for over 20 years, handling the full range of impaired driving charges in courts from Angleton to Pearland.
This page introduces the types of DUI and DWI charges we handle and helps you find the right information for your situation. Each charge type has its own dedicated page with in-depth detail on penalties, defenses, and what to expect.
Facing a DUI or DWI charge in Brazoria County? Call us at (281) 601-4133 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.
DUI vs. DWI in Texas: What’s the Difference?
Texas law distinguishes between DUI and DWI in a specific way. DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) applies to adults operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher, or while otherwise impaired by alcohol or drugs. DUI (Driving Under the Influence) under Texas law applies specifically to minors who have any detectable amount of alcohol in their system, regardless of BAC level.
In practice, many people use these terms interchangeably, and the consequences of either charge are serious. First-offense DWI for an adult is a Class B misdemeanor, which carries up to $2,000 in fines, 72 hours to 180 days in jail, and a 90- to 365-day license suspension. Charges escalate significantly from there, and certain aggravating circumstances, such as a minor passenger or a prior conviction, can elevate the charge entirely.
Types of DUI & DWI Charges We Handle in Brazoria County
Not every impaired driving charge is the same, and the right defense depends on the specific charge you’re facing. Our firm handles all categories of DUI and DWI matters across Brazoria County. Here’s where to find detailed information on each:
DUI Defense
If you’ve been charged with a first or second DUI in Brazoria County, our DUI defense page covers the charge classifications, potential penalties, and the defense strategies we use to challenge the state’s evidence. Law enforcement must follow strict protocols during a traffic stop, field sobriety testing, and chemical testing. Errors in any of those steps can affect the strength of the case against you.
DWI Defense
DWI charges for adults carry their own set of penalties and procedural considerations under Texas law. Our DWI defense page details what the state must prove to secure a conviction, how we approach breath and blood test results, and what options may be available depending on your prior record and the circumstances of your stop.
Felony DUI
Certain circumstances turn an impaired driving charge into a felony, including causing serious injury or death, having a child passenger, or accumulating a third or subsequent conviction. Felony DUI charges in Texas can mean years in prison, a permanent criminal record, and lasting consequences for employment, housing, and civil rights. Our felony DUI page explains when charges escalate and how we approach these high-stakes cases.
Multiple DUI
A second DWI conviction is a Class A misdemeanor. A third is a third-degree felony. Each prior conviction raises the stakes, and Texas law imposes mandatory minimums for repeat offenders. Our multiple DUI page covers how prior offenses affect your current case and what defense options remain available even when your record isn’t clean.
Drug DUI
You don’t have to have alcohol in your system to face an impaired driving charge in Texas. Driving while impaired by prescription medication, marijuana, or any other controlled substance can result in a DWI charge. These cases often involve different evidence, including drug recognition evaluations and blood testing, and they carry the same serious penalties as alcohol-related charges. Our drug DUI page covers how these cases work and how we defend them.
Our firm serves clients throughout Pearland and the surrounding communities. To learn more, call our DUI attorneys in Brazoria County at (281) 601-4133 or contact us online.
License Suspension & Occupational Licenses After a DUI or DWI
A DUI or DWI arrest in Brazoria County triggers two separate proceedings: the criminal case and the Administrative License Revocation (ALR) process through the Texas Department of Public Safety. The ALR process moves fast. In most cases, you have 15 days from your arrest to request a hearing, or your license is automatically suspended. We move quickly to request that hearing and represent you before the DPS.
If your license is suspended, Texas law allows certain individuals to apply for an occupational driver’s license to continue driving for work, school, or essential household needs. Securing one involves petitioning the local courts and gathering documentation, which may include proof of employment, SR-22 insurance, and in some cases, an ignition interlock device. Our occupational licenses page has full details on this process and how we can help.
Board-Certified Criminal Defense in Brazoria County
Board certification in criminal law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization isn’t automatic. It requires demonstrated experience, peer evaluation, and passing a rigorous examination. Both Tom and Ann Stickler hold that certification, which means when your freedom is on the line, you’re working with attorneys whose credentials have been independently verified by the state of Texas.
We’ve defended clients facing DUI and DWI charges in courts throughout Brazoria County for more than two decades. That history means familiarity with local judges, prosecutors, and the procedural realities of courts in Angleton, Pearland, and beyond. We also offer free consultations and payment plans so that a financial barrier doesn’t prevent you from getting the defense your case requires.
Our firm handles all aspects of DUI and DWI cases in Brazoria County, including:
Every case is different. The charge classification, your prior record, the circumstances of your stop, and the specific county court handling your case all affect what options are available. That’s why we start every client relationship with a thorough review of the facts before recommending a direction.
Don’t face DWI charges alone. Contact us now at (281) 601-4133 for a free consultation and dedicated defense.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between DUI and DWI charges in Texas?
In Texas, DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) applies to adults with a BAC of 0.08% or higher or who are otherwise impaired by alcohol or drugs. DUI (Driving Under the Influence) under Texas law applies specifically to minors with any detectable alcohol in their system. Both carry serious consequences, but the penalties, procedures, and available defenses differ. Call us for a free consultation to understand which charge applies to your situation and what options are available.
How does a DWI conviction affect my record in Brazoria County?
A DWI conviction creates a permanent notation on your criminal record accessible to employers, licensing agencies, and in some cases the general public. Certain first-time misdemeanor convictions may qualify for sealing through an order of nondisclosure, but felony DWI convictions are generally permanent unless reversed or pardoned. At Law Office of Tom & Ann Stickler, we help clients understand their options for defending against charges and, when possible, pursue expunction or nondisclosure to minimize future consequences.
Can I refuse a breathalyzer or field sobriety test in Brazoria County?
In Texas, drivers have the right to refuse field sobriety tests and breathalyzer tests. Refusal, however, typically triggers automatic driver’s license suspension through the ALR process administered by the Texas Department of Public Safety. Prosecutors may also use a refusal as circumstantial evidence in court, and in many cases law enforcement will seek a warrant for a blood draw. We can explain the real-world consequences of refusal for your specific situation and build a defense that accounts for whatever happened at the scene.
What should I do immediately after a DUI or DWI arrest in Brazoria County?
The first 15 days after your arrest are critical. You have a narrow window to request an ALR hearing and preserve your driving privileges. Evidence from the arrest, including dashcam footage, officer reports, and chemical test records, needs to be reviewed as early as possible. Call our office right away so we can protect your rights before deadlines pass.
Contact us today to get legal support from our DUI attorneys in Brazoria County.
“Extremely thankful & appreciative his the best of the best. Couldn’t have asked for a better outcome!”
Tom & Ann did their thing! Made this experience super easy & stress-free. Where I had lost hope Tom made it happen & got my case dismissed! Extremely thankful & appreciative his the best of the best. Couldn’t have asked for a better outcome!
Nohemy O.
“Tom Stickler is amazing, hands down the best attorney in Brazoria County”
Tom Stickler is amazing, hands down the best attorney in Brazoria County. Hopefully I will never need an attorney but if I do, I'll only use Tom Stickler. He's the BEST!! Thank you Tom.
Brandi B.
“The best of the best!”
Tom & Ann are a dynamic duo, when you watch them in court you quickly realize you hired the best of the best, excellent communication, and answered every question I had thoroughly and quickly. I was extremely happy with the outcome. Great firm, great people and I highly recommend.
