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SOUTHERN BORN
TEXAS RAISED
![DWI Defense](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1bdb97_cfd06fa10d3a473cb1642b915ced4df7~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_780,h_385,al_c,q_85,enc_auto/Crash%20PNG.png)
![DWI Attorney Brad Thornton](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1bdb97_f3a3e11857804f96a988ffc06f75c4f6~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_573,h_700,al_c,q_90,enc_auto/blurred_edited.png)
© 2023 by Thornton Criminal Defense, PLLC.
Atascosa Office:
216 N Bryant St
Pleasanton, Texas 78064
FORMER CHIEF PROSECUTOR
PERSONALIZED ATTENTION TO YOUR CASE
NO HOURLY RATES, ALWAYS A FLAT FEE
CLIENT CENTERED APPROACH TO YOUR CASE
BOARD CERTIFIED IN CRIMINAL LAW
OVER A DECADE OF EXPERIENCE IN CRIMINAL LAW
WHY HIRE THORNTON CRIMINAL DEFENSE?
Attorney Brad Thornton is a highly experienced and Board-Certified criminal defense lawyer. With his background as a former Chief Prosecutor, he has a unique understanding of the criminal justice system and is able to provide comprehensive and effective representation to his clients. He is also deeply committed to ensuring that all individuals receive fair treatment in court, regardless of their background or circumstances.
Brad Thornton is dedicated to helping his clients achieve the best possible outcome for their case, whether it is in San Antonio or elsewhere in South Texas. He recognizes the stress and anxiety that can come with being accused of a crime, and approaches his clients with compassion while keeping them informed at every step of the process. His knowledge and experience make him a strong advocate for his clients.
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DWI Defense
San Antonio DWI Attorney
DWI Lawyer San Antonio
If you are arrested for DWI in San Antonio or the surrounding counties of Bexar, Wilson, Atascosa, Medina, and Guadalupe, you need an experienced DWI defense attorney to guide you through the process and protect your rights. There are many deadlines to be aware of and the potential consequences of a DWI charge can be severe, including the loss of your license. It is essential to work with a lawyer who is Board Certified in Criminal Law and has the knowledge and expertise to help you achieve the best possible outcome.
Don't hesitate – contact San Antonio DWI Attorney Brad Thornton today.
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FORMER VEHICULAR CRIMES PROSECUTOR
As a member of the District Attorney's Vehicular Crimes Team, in the county with the most roadway fatalities in the State, Brad Thornton was regularly dispatched to the worst types of DWI cases involving serious bodily injury or death. His years of experience and training on the most serious types of intoxication charges allows him to protect your rights! When you are looking for a DWI Lawyer in San Antonio DWI attorney, Brad has the experience you need on your side.
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Ten Things Your San Antonio DWI Defense Attorney Should be Doing
1. Understand Your Situation
Each individual client’s situation is different. For some, they may be facing a loss of their professional license if they end up with a conviction. Others may be less concerned with the criminal consequences, and more concerned with the financial cost. How to approach each DWI depends on the goals and needs of each individual client. You need an attorney who will listen to you and your needs and explain then execute a plan for accomplishing your goals.
2. Request an ALR Hearing
When your driver’s license is suspended because of a DWI, an ALR hearing (Administrative License Review) is how you challenge the State and prevent your license from being suspended. If you refused or failed a breath test, then you have only 15 days to request the hearing.
You may have received a DIC-25 form from the arresting officer. This serves as a notice of suspension of your driver’s license and is a temporary driving permit for 40 days, but you only have 15 days to challenge the suspension. This is one of the most important stages in your case and it is important to have your attorney request a hearing. At the hearing, your attorney can challenge the suspension of your license and obtain discovery in your case. This can give your attorney a head start on the prosecutor, which can obviously lead to better outcomes.
3. Assist You in Getting an Occupational Driver’s License
If your license was suspended, there is still an opportunity to get what is called an occupational driver’s license. The occupational license will allow you to drive back and forth to work, school, and some other necessary life requirements.
A Judge must decide if you have an essential need to get an occupational license and you will need to obtain a special form of insurance called SR-22 and provide proof to the court.
4. Demand Evidence from the District Attorney
The only way to fight your case is to know what you are up against. A good DWI Defense attorney will work hard to get all the State’s evidence in your case. Article 39.14 requires the State to provide all evidence in your case but there are only penalties if it is requested by an attorney following the requirements of the law. Not only do you need to get an attorney who knows how to protect your rights when getting the evidence, you need an experience DWI Defense Attorney who knows what to do with the evidence
5. Understand how to Investigate the Evidence
Many people assume murders are the most complicated type of criminal case because of the tragic result of the crime. That is simply not true. The types and amounts of evidence in most DWI cases is nothing compared to the average criminal case. DWI defense is not for the everyday lawyer. You need a criminal law specialist who has spent years trying DWI cases in front of a jury. DWI Defense Attorney Brad Thornton has spent a substantial portion of his career handling DWIs and has tried every type of Intoxication offense to a jury. He understands what evidence is important to a jury and how to win at trial.
6. Understand the Science
DWI Defense is one of the most scientific intensive areas of laws to practice. The attorney you chose must understand the science to present an effective defense. Gas chromatography – mass spectrometry is the method used by the lab to evaluate the sample of your blood. If you provided the officer with a breath sample instead, the machine likely used the scientific method of Infrared Spectroscopy (IR) to produce the result that led to your arrest. If a crash was involved in your crash, you need an attorney who understands Kinematics, Dynamics, and Newton’s laws to analyze and challenge the evidence in front of a jury. And the list of scientific principles that apply to DWI defense can go on and on. DWI Defense Attorney Brad Thornton has examined and cross-examined experts in every field and been trained in every type of science that is involved in a DWI. He has faced experts from the local DPS analysist to a top NASA scientist.
7. Understand the Psychology of Trial
One of the most important branches of science involved in DWI defense is psychology. There is a scientific theory that governs every phase of presenting evidence. The principles of recency and primacy rule the presentation of evidence at trial because it means that everyone more accurately understands and places greater weight on what they heard first and what they heard last. There are even scientific studies showing which font and color choice can most greatly impact the audience. You need a lawyer who understands the intricacies of presentation and persuasion. This could be the edge you need to get a favorable result.
8. Understand the Art of Picking a Jury
Enough about Science, jury selection is an art. Just like any art, practice leads to better results. You need an experienced DWI Defense Attorney who has selected hundreds of juries and is familiar with the communities where your jury will be selected.
9. Negotiate with the State
Only an attorney who understands and has experience in the art and science of a DWI jury trial and can understand the best strategy for your defense and to achieve the goals you have for your case. Such understating is necessary to be able to communicate the problems with the State’s case to the Assistant Prosecutor who is overseeing your case. Negotiation can often lead to the result that the client desires, even a dismissal, if the right attorney is handling your case.
10. Be Ready to Fight!
If negotiation is unsuccessful, it is time to fight. San Antonio DWI Lawyer Brad Thornton has presented DWI evidence to hundreds of jurors across the State of Texas from first DWI offense to multiple fatality Intoxication Manslaughter cases. Few attorneys are as prepared for battle in a DWI case as Board Certified Criminal Defense Attorney Brad Thornton.
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HAVE YOU BEEN ARRESTED FOR DWI?
You may only have 15 days until you Driver's License is suspended
If you have been arrested for DWI, your license may be in jeopardy. In certain circumstances, you have just 15 days to request an administrative hearing with DPS to save your license. These hearings are highly technical and you need an experienced attorney to request a hearing right away and begin the process to save your license. Contact San Antonio DWI Lawyer Brad Thornton today!
Penalties for Driving While Intoxicated In Texas
DWI FIRST OFFENSE-
Class B Misdemeanor
If you have never been convicted of DWI before, you can be facing the following penalties:
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A fine of up to $2,000; and
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Up to 180 days in jail;
DWI SECOND OFFENSE or DWI WITH A BAC OVER .15 -
Class A Misdemeanor
If you have been convicted of DWI once before in any United States jurisdiction or if it was your first offense and your BAC was over a .15, you can be facing the following penalties:
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A fine of up $4,000; and
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Up to 12 months in jail;
DWI WITH A CHILD PASSENGER -
State Jail Felony
Regardless of how many times you have been convicted, if you are arrest for DWI and you have a child passenger in your car while you were driving, you can be facing the following penalties:
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A fine of up to $10,00; and
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Up to two years in state jail
DWI THIRD OR MORE OFFENSE -
Third Degree Felony
If you have been convicted of DWI once before in any United States jurisdiction, you can be facing the following penalties:
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A fine of up to $10,000; and
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Up to 10 years in prison;
DWI THIRD OR MORE OFFENSE WITH PRIOR PRISON TRIP -
Enhanced Felony
If you have been to prison one time for any Third Degree felony or higher, you could be facing the following penalties:
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A fine of up to $10,000; and
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Up to 20 years in prison.
If you have been to prison two or more times for any Third Degree felony or higher, you could be facing the following penalties:
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A fine of up to $10,000; and
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Up to life in prison.
Additional punishments for all charges can include:
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Community Supervision (Probation)
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DWI Education Programs as a condition of Probation
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Required to have an Ignition Interlock Device installed on your car
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Community service hours
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License renewal surcharge every year, for up to 3 years at an annual fee of between $1,000 – $2,000
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Significantly increased auto insurance premiums
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David I.
Seguin, Texas
Brad was great from the moment he looked at my case. Despite his busy schedule, he made himself easily available, walked us through every detail with care and professionalism, and worked out a great deal with the prosecutor that was much better than any outcome we could have imagined. I don’t plan on needing his assistance again, but if I’m ever unfortunate enough to find myself in another legal bind, Brad will be my first call.
Brian F.
San Antonio, Texas
I have had the opportunity to know Brad both personally and professionally for a while now. As a fellow attorney, I am consistently impressed by his passion and innovative approach to legal issues. He is exceptionally intelligent and is always willing to go above and beyond for his clients. When I refer clients to Brad, I have full confidence that they will receive top-quality representation.
Elaine B.
San Antonio, Texas
Brad is an amazing attorney, and I highly recommend him! He has deep knowledge and understanding how to navigate the law to support his clients. He has a way with people, and truly has his focus on client care and supporting them, during a time that’s usually stressful for clients. He was able to support in getting my case dismissed in less than 2 months and was attentive and personable during the whole process. You have a choice when deciding who’s going to represent you, and to have an attorney that genuinely cares for his clients should be an expectation anyone should set. Brad will meet that expectation 110%!
Kevin E.
Jourdanton, Texas
[Brad] made the process very easy for me, handling everything within a month, with a motion to dismiss all cases against me. I only had to attend court once! The portal he uses to make sure you are aware of everything going on in your case is awesome, I didn’t even have to worry everything got downloaded to the portal with email notifications. I would never use another attorney to represent me, he is the best at what he does.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
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The State of Texas v. K.E.
Atascosa County
Offense: Driving While Intoxicated - First
Client was involved in a head on collision with an 18 wheeler and open containers were found in his car. We showed the prosecution the mistakes made by law enforcement and the inaccuracy of the tests they conducted and secured a dismissal for our client.
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The State of Texas v. T.M.
Guadalupe County
Offense: Assault Causing Bodily Injury
Client was charged with assaulting a co-worker during an argument at work. From the start, we sent the client to an anger management class before her first court date and the prosecutor dismissed the case by showing she was working to address the issue on her own.
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The State of Texas v. M.M.
Wilson County
Offense: Assault Family Member - Strangulation
Client was charged with choking his wife. Prosecution was set on moving forward with the most serious felony assault. We put together a case to show the inconsistencies in the complaining witness's statement and the problems with the police investigation, securing a dismissal for our client.
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The State of Texas v. A.C.
Bexar County
Offense: Assault Family Member
The Clients future sister in law called the police after an argument between the client and his fiancé. Although the fiancé alleged that she was assaulted, the prosecution dismissed the case after we were able to show that there was not a threat of future violence.
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The State of Texas v. E.B.
Bexar County
Offense: Possession of Controlled Substance and Interference with Public Duties
The client was involved in a crash after allegedly consuming magic mushrooms. The police alleged she was not cooperative in their investigation and arrested her for Interference with Public Duties and Possession of Mushrooms after a search of her vehicle. We challenged the prosecution and ended up securing a dismissal of the case.
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The State of Texas v. S.C.
Bexar County
Offense: DWI 9th Arrest (Habitual)
The client was charged with his 9th DWI after having served time in prison for DWI twice before. After a hard fight, we were able to plea to a DWI Class B Misdemeanor, with an agreed one year probation and avoiding a minimum sentence of 25 years to life in prison.