Charged with DWI in San Patricio County? You Just Found the Help You Need

San Patricio County DWI Defense

Phillip Goff represents people charged with DWI throughout San Patricio County, including Sinton, Aransas Pass, Portland, Ingleside, Taft, Mathis. Sinton, Aransas Pass, Portland, Ingleside, and surrounding communities.

Your Court Date & The San Patricio County Courthouse

Address: San Patricio County Courthouse, 400 W Sinton St, Sinton, TX 78387 Get directions →
Drive time: ≈ 30 minutes north of the Corpus Christi office.
Court hours: Monday–Friday, generally 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (closed 12:00–1:00 p.m. for lunch in some courts).

Parking: Free public parking is available in the lot adjacent to the courthouse.

Looking up your case:

• If our firm represents you — log in to MyCase for your court date, case status, hearing reminders, and any documents we've sent you. Reach out through MyCase first; it routes faster than calling.
• If you don't yet have counsel — the public docket is searchable on the San Patricio County District Clerk website. You will need your name and approximate filing date.

What to Bring

• Your valid government-issued ID (driver license or state ID).
• The citation or paperwork given to you at arrest or release.
• Any letters, notices, or court documents you've received.
• Proof of insurance, if available.
• A notebook and pen for notes during your hearing.

How to Dress & Courtroom Etiquette

Texas courtrooms expect respectful, conservative attire. The court does not require a suit, but appearance matters to the people deciding your case.

• Wear: button-down shirt or blouse, slacks or a knee-length skirt or dress, closed-toed shoes.
• Avoid: shorts, tank tops, hats, sunglasses, anything with profanity or imagery referencing alcohol or drugs.
• Phone: silenced or turned off before entering the courtroom. Many courts confiscate phones that ring during proceedings.
• Address the judge as "Your Honor"—stand when the judge enters or addresses you, and stand when speaking on the record.
• Arrive 30 minutes early. If you are not present when your name is called, the court can issue a warrant.

Arresting Agencies in San Patricio County

DWI arrests in San Patricio County come from a mix of agencies. Common ones include:

• San Patricio County Sheriff's Office — county law enforcement; patrols the unincorporated areas of the county and runs the county jail. (361) 364-9600
• Sinton Police Department — municipal police for Sinton, the county seat.
• Portland Police Department — municipal police for Portland, across the bay from Corpus Christi.
• Aransas Pass Police Department — municipal police for Aransas Pass.
• Ingleside Police Department — municipal police for Ingleside.
• Mathis Police Department — municipal police for Mathis.
• Taft Police Department — municipal police for Taft.
• Texas DPS Highway Patrol — state troopers patrolling the highways and the US-181 corridor through the county.

Where Breath and Blood Tests Are Processed

Breath tests are administered on the Intoxilyzer 9000, maintained by the Texas Department of Public Safety and kept at the arresting agency's jail or station. When blood is drawn—typically at a local hospital under a warrant—the sample is sent to a Texas DPS Crime Laboratory (Weslaco and/or Corpus Christi) for analysis.

What to Know About San Patricio County

San Patricio County has a well-deserved reputation for DWI enforcement. Not only does the county seat have its own DPS station, the prosecutor's offices for both misdemeanors and felonies are among the most experienced in all of South Texas. Most have decades of experience as prosecutors.

Interstate 37 and other high-speed highways in the county provide ample opportunities for police, especially state troopers, to make traffic stops. Portland's proximity to Corpus Christi and an exploding economy associated with the Port of Corpus Christi supply local police with dense traffic. The county doesn't have a large population compared to others, but it's per capita DWI arrest rate ranks near the top.

Texas DWI Law — Statewide Reference

The state-wide rules that apply to every Texas DWI case—penalty schedules, the 15-day ALR clock, breath and blood test challenges—are covered on these reference pages:

• DWI Defense Overview — qualifications, credentials, and how Attorney Goff approaches every DWI case.
• Texas DWI Penalty Schedule — first, second, third offense, aggravating factors, collateral consequences.
• The 15-Day ALR Hearing — what it is, why missing it costs your license, what happens at the hearing.
• Breath Test Defense — the Intoxilyzer 9000 and how its results get challenged.
• Blood Test Defense — chain of custody, lab errors, retrograde extrapolation.