Felony DUI Attorney Edinburg
Serious Charges Need Experienced Local Defense
A felony drunk driving charge can change the course of your life. You may be worried about prison time, your driver’s license, your job, and how this will affect your family. If your arrest happened in or around Edinburg, your case will probably be handled in the Hidalgo County courts, and you need guidance right away.
At The Ricky Rod Law Group, we focus on helping people who are facing high stakes criminal charges, including felony DWI and related intoxication offenses. Our firm is led by Attorney Ricardo Rodriguez, a former District Court Judge and former Hidalgo County Criminal District Attorney with more than 25 years of legal experience. We understand how these cases are built and how they are viewed from the bench.
You do not have to face a felony accusation on your own. We offer free, confidential consultations so you can understand your options and take informed steps to protect your future.
If you are facing a felony DWI charge, speak with our team today to schedule a confidential consultation or call (956) 294-0071 to discuss your situation.
Why Felony DUI Charges Are Different
Not every DWI in Texas rises to the felony level. Charges often become felonies when certain aggravating factors are present, such as prior convictions, an accident involving serious bodily injury, or a child passenger in the vehicle. A third or subsequent offense, sometimes referred to as repeat DWI charges, can also trigger felony consequences.
Felony DWI allegations may include intoxication assault or intoxication manslaughter. These cases can carry the possibility of significant prison time, long periods of supervision, extended license suspensions, and lifelong consequences. A felony conviction may affect employment opportunities, housing options, professional licenses, and other aspects of your future.
There may also be additional concerns beyond the courtroom. A felony record can impact immigration status, security clearances, and family law matters such as custody disputes. If testing results show very elevated alcohol levels, cases sometimes involve issues similar to high blood alcohol concentration cases, which can further increase potential penalties.
Because Attorney Rodriguez previously served as a District Court Judge in Hidalgo County, he has firsthand experience evaluating serious intoxication cases from the bench. That insight allows us to provide realistic guidance about sentencing ranges, procedural risks, and factors that may influence how a judge views your case.
How Our Felony DUI Defense Team Helps
When you are facing a felony DWI, you need more than general advice. You need a clear plan that accounts for the law, the facts, and how prosecutors and judges in Hidalgo County typically approach cases like yours. As a former Hidalgo County Criminal District Attorney and former District Court Judge, Attorney Ricardo Rodriguez brings an uncommon understanding of each side of the courtroom.
On the prosecution side, he supervised and tried serious felony cases, including intoxication-related offenses. From the bench, he evaluated evidence, listened to arguments, and made rulings that shaped how those cases ended. We draw on that experience today to anticipate how the state may try to prove its case and what weaknesses we may be able to target.
Every felony drunk driving attorney Edinburg residents consider should carefully examine the case from start to finish. We analyze the traffic stop, field sobriety testing, breath or blood testing procedures, and the handling of evidence. If your case also involves related charges, such as underage intoxication offenses, we address how those allegations interact with the felony count.
Our goal is to build a defense strategy that matches your situation, not a one size fits all approach. That can involve challenging the basis for the traffic stop, questioning the reliability of testing, highlighting mitigating circumstances, or presenting your history in a way that helps the court see you as a whole person.
In the early stages of a felony case, we typically focus on:
- Reviewing police reports, video, and lab results for potential legal or factual issues.
- Advising you about bond conditions, no alcohol orders, and ignition interlock requirements.
- Preserving important deadlines, including those affecting your driver’s license.
- Opening a dialogue with the Hidalgo County Criminal District Attorney’s Office when appropriate.
- Exploring whether rehabilitation, treatment, or other structured programs may help your situation.
Because of our work in developing diversion and rehabilitation efforts in the past, we understand how treatment and accountability programs can be part of a constructive solution. While not every case qualifies, we pay close attention to whether alternatives to the harshest outcomes may be available, and we present your progress to the court when it is helpful to do so.
Throughout the process, we keep you informed and involved. We explain what is happening at each hearing, what options you may have, and what the possible next steps are. Our clients know that we see them as people, not just files, and that respect guides how we handle every decision in the case.
What To Do After A Felony DUI Arrest
The hours and days after an arrest can feel like a blur. You may have been booked into the Hidalgo County jail, posted bond, and been handed a stack of paperwork that is hard to understand. Taking several careful steps now can help protect your rights and put you in a better position as the case moves forward.
If you were arrested on suspicion of a felony DWI, there are several important actions to consider:
- Follow all bond conditions, including any ignition interlock or no alcohol orders, because violations can lead to stricter terms or jail.
- Keep every document you received, including citations, bond paperwork, and any notice about your license, in one safe place.
- Avoid discussing the facts of the case on social media or with anyone other than your attorney, since statements can be used against you.
- Write down what you remember about the stop, the testing, and any medical treatment as soon as possible while details are fresh.
- Contact a felony drunk driving lawyer Edinburg residents trust as soon as you can, so important deadlines and opportunities are not missed.
Court dates for felony charges are typically set in a Hidalgo County district court. Your first settings may be used to make sure you have a lawyer, confirm your plea, and address scheduling issues. When we represent you, we explain what each appearance is for and what you can expect before you walk into the courtroom.
Meeting with us early gives you the chance to ask questions, share your concerns, and find out what the likely range of outcomes may be. During your free consultation, we review the information you bring, talk through the process, and discuss how our team can help you move forward.
Local Felony DUI Defense In Hidalgo County
If your arrest happened in Edinburg, your felony DWI case will usually be prosecuted by the Hidalgo County Criminal District Attorney’s Office and heard in one of the Hidalgo County district courts. Each court has its own schedule and procedures, and the way felony cases are managed here may differ from how things are done in other parts of Texas.
As a former Hidalgo County Criminal District Attorney, Attorney Rodriguez led the office that now prosecutes cases like yours. As a former District Court Judge, he presided over felony dockets and heard arguments from both sides in serious intoxication cases. We use that understanding to prepare you for how hearings typically unfold and what issues may matter most to the court.
Our presence here in Edinburg means we are familiar with the local courthouse environment, the forms used by the clerk’s office, and the usual sequence of settings in felony cases. This local insight helps us manage timelines, respond quickly to new developments, and keep you informed about what to expect at each stage.
When you work with a felony dui lawyer Edinburg defendants can meet with in person, you gain more than legal knowledge. You gain a team that understands the community, the impact a conviction can have on your life here, and the importance of working toward the most favorable result the circumstances allow.
We invite you to sit down with us, share your concerns, and learn how our background and local experience can be put to work in your defense. Your consultation is free, and there is no obligation to move forward if you decide we are not the right fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I going to prison for a felony DUI?
Not every felony DWI results in prison time. The outcome depends on the charge, your history, the facts, and how the case is presented. We review your situation, explain the range of possible sentences, and work to pursue resolutions that limit incarceration whenever the circumstances allow.
Can a felony DUI be reduced in my case?
Some felony cases are reduced, and others are not. Results depend on the evidence, any legal issues, your prior record, and the position of the prosecutor and court. We evaluate opportunities for reductions and discuss realistic possibilities with you during a consultation.
How does your background as Judge and DA help me?
Attorney Rodriguez has seen felony intoxication cases from the bench and from the prosecution side. That experience helps us understand how the state may build its case and what judges tend to focus on. We use that insight to prepare targeted arguments and to advise you about strategy.
What will happen at my first court date?
At an initial setting in a Hidalgo County district court, the judge usually confirms that you have an attorney, reviews basic information, and may address bond conditions or scheduling. We attend with you, explain the purpose of the hearing in advance, and answer your questions afterward.
How much does it cost to hire your firm?
Felony DWI defense is serious work, and fees reflect the time and resources involved. During your free consultation, we talk openly about costs, payment options, and what representation includes. Our goal is to provide clear information so you can make a decision that fits your situation.
Talk With Our Team About Your Felony DUI
If you or someone you care about is facing a felony-level DWI or related intoxication charge in this area, you do not have to navigate the process alone. At The Ricky Rod Law Group, we bring decades of criminal law experience and a unique combination of judicial and prosecutorial insight to every case we handle.
We take the time to understand your history, explain each stage of the Hidalgo County court process, and build a defense strategy that reflects your goals and circumstances. Your first step is a free confidential consultation with a felony dui defense attorney Edinburg defendants can rely on for straightforward guidance.
To speak with a felony DUI attorney Edinburg residents rely on for straightforward guidance, call (956) 294-0071 to schedule your free consultation today.
