Felony DUI
Getting out of Jail Is Easy, Staying out Is Important.
Felony DUI Attorney in Alvin
Serious Charges, Clear Guidance For Your Future
A felony-level DUI charge in Texas can put everything at risk. Prison time, a long driver’s license suspension, and a permanent felony record are all possible outcomes, and many people in this position feel overwhelmed from the moment they leave the Brazoria County jail. You may not know what will happen next or how to protect yourself, and might need the help of a felony DUI attorney in Alvin.
At Law Office of Tom & Ann Stickler, we represent people facing serious driving while intoxicated charges in and around Alvin. Our attorneys, Tom and Ann Stickler, are board-certified in criminal law in Texas and have spent more than 20 years helping clients navigate Texas criminal courts. We work to give you clear information, a focused defense plan, and steady support from the first meeting to the final outcome.
If you are looking for a felony DUI attorney in Alvin who will take the time to learn your story and explain your options in plain language, our firm is here to help. We offer free consultations and payment options so you can get answers before you make important decisions about your case.
Our felony DUI attorneys in Alvin offer free consultations and payment options so you can focus on protecting your freedom and your future instead of worrying about how to get started. Contact us online or call us at (281) 601-4133.
Why Choose Our Felony Attorneys in Alvin
When you are charged with a felony DWI, you cannot afford to guess about your lawyer. Our firm is led by Tom and Ann Stickler, both board-certified in criminal law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Board certification signals that an attorney has met rigorous standards for training, trial experience, and peer review in criminal defense.
Our felony drunk driving attorneys in Alvin have been defending people accused of crimes in Texas for more than two decades. Over those years, we have handled a wide range of serious charges, including felony-level intoxication offenses in Brazoria County courts in Angleton. This experience helps us understand how judges, prosecutors, and juries in this area tend to approach felony DUI cases and what details can make a difference.
From the moment you contact us, we focus on early, detailed preparation. We review the traffic stop, the arrest, any field sobriety testing, and all blood or breath results with care. Our goal is to identify possible weaknesses in the state’s case and to understand your background, your prior record, and what matters most to you and your family. This careful preparation helps us discuss realistic options with you and work toward the best outcome the facts and law allow.
We also understand that cost is a major concern. A felony DUI attorney in Alvin should be accessible, not out of reach. Our firm offers free initial consultations and payment plans, subject to the specifics of each case, so you can start building a defense without waiting for perfect financial circumstances. Throughout the process, we strive to maintain open communication, answer your questions promptly, and keep you informed about every important development.
What Makes A DUI A Felony
Many people are surprised to learn that not every DWI in Texas is treated the same way. Some are charged as misdemeanors, while others are filed as felonies with much more serious consequences. Understanding why your charge is a felony is a key step in planning your defense and your future.
In Texas, common situations that can lead to felony-level intoxication charges include prior convictions and certain aggravating factors. For example, a third or subsequent DWI is often charged as a felony offense. Cases that involve serious injury to another person may be filed as an intoxication assault. If someone is killed, prosecutors may bring intoxication manslaughter charges, which carry very significant potential penalties.
A DWI arrest can also become more serious when a child is in the vehicle. Transporting a young child while allegedly intoxicated can lead to a separate felony charge, even if it is a first-time DWI for the driver. Each of these scenarios has different punishment ranges and legal issues, but they all share one thing in common. They place your freedom and your long-term future at stake.
When you speak with a felony DUI attorney in Alvin, it is important to discuss your prior record, any injuries or property damage involved, and whether a child was present. Our team of felony DUI attorneys in Alvin reviews these details carefully and explains how Texas law applies to your specific situation. By understanding the exact charge and potential enhancements, you can make more informed decisions about how to move forward.
Consequences Of A Felony DUI Conviction
A felony conviction for an intoxication-related offense in Texas can affect your life long after the case is over. Penalty ranges commonly include the possibility of years in prison, significant fines, and lengthy community supervision with strict conditions. Judges may require alcohol treatment, community service, ignition interlock devices, and other terms that can be challenging to manage over time.
Your Texas driver’s license is also at risk. Felony-level DWI cases can lead to extended suspensions and, in some circumstances, a need for an ignition interlock device if you hope to drive again. Many people in Alvin rely on driving to keep a job or care for children. Losing that ability, even temporarily, can put a career and family stability in danger.
Beyond the court and license issues, a felony record can create serious collateral consequences. Background checks for jobs, housing applications, professional licenses, and even educational opportunities often ask about felony convictions. In the Alvin area, this can hit especially hard for those who work in plants, refineries, construction, or positions that require security clearances. A felony on your record may also affect immigration status for some noncitizens and can limit firearm rights under federal and state law.
Our firm looks not only at the immediate case, but also at the long-term impact on your life. When the law allows, we help clients pursue options such as expungement or other record-related relief and occupational licenses that may let them drive for work or essential needs while a suspension is in place. We talk through these possibilities with you so you understand what can be done now and what might be available in the future.
How We Defend Felony DUI Charges
Every felony DWI case is different, but there are consistent steps we take to protect our clients. Our work begins with a thorough review of how the case started. We look closely at the reason for the traffic stop, how the officer conducted the investigation, and whether your rights were respected at each stage. Problems in these early moments can sometimes affect whether key evidence is used in court.
Testing is another critical area. Blood and breath results often appear straightforward at first glance, but they depend on proper equipment, maintenance, and procedures. We examine the chain of custody, lab practices, and any potential sources of error that could call the reliability of the results into question. We also evaluate how field sobriety tests were given and whether medical or environmental factors may have influenced performance.
At the same time, we take time to understand your prior record and the facts the state wants to use to increase the charge level. A felony DUI attorney in Alvin must be ready to examine prior convictions, sentencing records, and any alleged aggravating circumstances. Our team reviews these materials with care and looks for issues that may limit how the prosecution can use them against you.
Felony DWI cases from Alvin are often handled in Brazoria County courts in Angleton. We prepare clients for each appearance, explain what to expect in those courtrooms, and discuss how plea negotiations or contested hearings are likely to unfold. Our goal is always to give you realistic information and to involve you in each important decision about your case.
After a felony DUI arrest, these steps can help protect your rights:
Do not discuss the facts of your case with law enforcement or others without speaking to an attorney first.
Keep copies of any paperwork you received, including bond conditions and court date notices.
Write down details you remember about the stop, the arrest, and any testing while they are still fresh.
Contact a felony DUI lawyer in Alvin as soon as you can so that early deadlines and evidence are not missed.
We cannot promise a specific outcome, and no ethical attorney should. What we can do is work carefully through the facts and law, communicate clearly with you, and use our training and experience to pursue the best result available in your circumstances.
Prison is a possibility in many Texas felony DUI cases, but it is not automatic. The risk depends on the specific charge, prior record, and facts of the incident. We review these details closely and explain realistic ranges so you can understand what the court may consider.
Will I Lose My Texas Driver’s License?
A felony DWI can lead to a long license suspension. In many situations, you may request an administrative hearing or seek an occupational license to drive for essential needs. Our felony DUI attorneys in Alvin discuss license options in your consultation and work to protect your ability to keep working.
How Soon Should I Contact a Felony DUI Lawyer?
You should speak with a lawyer as soon as possible after release from custody. Important deadlines, including license hearings and early court settings, can come up quickly. Early involvement allows us to gather evidence, review the stop and tests, and begin guiding you through the process here.
Can Your Firm Offer a Payment Plan?
Our firm does offer payment options and, in many cases, payment plans. We discuss your financial situation during the free consultation and work to find an arrangement that allows you to have representation. The goal is to make quality criminal defense accessible, not to add to your stress.
What Will Happen at My First Court Date?
At the first setting in Brazoria County court, the judge typically confirms your identity, addresses bond conditions, and sets future dates. Substantive negotiations or motions often come later. We attend with you, explain what to expect before you walk in, and answer questions about each step afterward.
When you contact us, you can ask specific questions about your case, learn how Texas law applies to your situation, and hear about possible paths forward.
“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.
“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.
“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.