Driving through Refugio can be risky for the unwary driver. It’s one of the few towns along Highway 77 which still has major highway flowing through it. Traffic going into Refugio must slow down dramatically from 75 miles per hour to 35. Local and state police have a field day with what many people describe as a “speed trap.” It’s little wonder tiny Refugio County winds up with so many traffic stops. More traffic stops means more arrests. If you get stopped, you may get saddled with a DWI arrest.
You didn’t plan on your DWI arrest. No one does. Going through this nightmare won’t be easy. For the sake of you and your loved ones, you need to find the best possible DWI lawyer immediately.
You have no time to lose. A 15-day deadline is staring you down from the day of your arrest.
The legal system there is known for being stern. You need a lawyer on your side who is up to the challenge.
Credentials That Set This Refugio County DWI Lawyer Apart
DWI defense is a very demanding task. It involves more complex evidence than almost any other case. If your lawyer doesn’t fully understand breath testing and blood testing, you will be at the mercy of the state’s witnesses. They all have specialized DWI training. Your lawyer should be able to match it.
Phillip W. Goff is the only attorney who regularly practices in Refugio County who has DWI credentials to meet that specific challenge. Go ahead, look around as much as you would like.
Try to find another lawyer in Refugio County who has these credentials to challenge roadside sobriety tests, blood tests, and breath tests:
- SFST Instructor-Level Training: He is the only attorney qualified as a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Instructor in Standardized Field Sobriety Tests. That means he is qualified to train the police on their own roadside tests.
- NCDD Serious Science Graduate: He was one of the first attorneys to graduate from the National College for DUI Defense “Serious Science, Blood Analysis and Trial Advocacy” curriculum in 2016. NCDD trains trial lawyers to understand how laboratories and blood testing work and how to use that knowledge in court. Trainings in four different states are required.
- ACS-CHAL Lawyer-Scientist: He was recognized by the American Chemistry Society as a Lawyer-Scientist after graduating from a grueling four-week course in the premier training lab in the world for analytical chemists in 2023. Approximately 100 attorneys nationwide have earned this designation.
- Peer-Rated Preeminent: His fellow lawyers have rated him “Preeminent” in his field, and he is still passionate about getting better after 30+ years in practice.
- DWI Defense Super Lawyer: He is the only lawyer south of San Antonio to be named a DWI Defense Super Lawyer.
Even a “Good Lawyer” Can Actually Hurt You
Some “good lawyers” can actually make your DWI situation worse. Most “good lawyers” who do criminal law take on clients with DWI charges, but they don’t treat it differently than other cases. That’s a huge mistake.
A first-time DWI case demands far more legal and scientific expertise than most felony criminal cases. Successfully defending a person against a DWI charge requires a DWI-specific skill set.
Knowing how to handle expert witnesses can be the difference between winning and losing. Expert witnesses are routine in DWI cases. You must have an attorney who has great familiarity with the experts’ knowledge, training, and testimony. Phillip W. Goff has exactly those qualifications.
A lawyer asking expert witnesses questions about sobriety, blood, and breath testing without having the answers down cold will blow up in a lawyer’s face and kill your chances.
If you want a great outcome, pick a great DWI defense lawyer who has been battling cops and so-called scientists in DWI defense trenches for a long time.
30 Years In and Getting Better
Attorney Phillip W. Goff has been defending people like you for decades. Whether your case needs a tooth-and-nail jury trial or a delicate negotiation without having to go to trial, he’s done it successfully. His law practice is focused on DWI defense like no other in a large region, and he greatly enjoys helping people. He constantly wants to learn more about DWI defense.
Phillip W. Goff is a proud, active member of both national organizations for DWI defense lawyers: the National College for DUI Defense for 25 years and the DUI Defense Lawyers Association.
He interacts with the top DWI defense attorneys in the entire United States as a daily routine, so he becomes aware of trends in the field long before other lawyers do.
What Your DWI Defense Lawyer Knows Makes All the Difference
His fellow lawyers regularly call him to consult on their DWI cases, and with good reason. They know he has the answers. His DWI defense library includes an extensive collection of police manuals and other books and resources to help win your DWI case. He uses those publications to confront and cross-examine witnesses who testify in DWI cases. He travels the country to get the very best, cutting edge DWI defense training.
DWI Bread and Butter — Field Sobriety Tests, Blood Tests, and Breath Tests
Field Sobriety Tests
He can identify errors cops make with so-called “field sobriety” tests. He has studied their manuals for decades. He has a copy of every training manual on the topic ever published by the NHTSA. His training and familiarity with these manuals enable him to frequently demonstrate the falsity of cops’ testimony claiming they conducted testing “by the book.” He took the same course your arresting officer took, as well as achieving a perfect score in the final exam for the course your arresting officer’s instructor took to become an instructor.
Breath Testing
His understanding of breath testing is based upon decades of study and familiarity. He knows the cops’ regulations, the special rules and laws associated with the breath test machine, and how the CMI Intoxilyzer 9000 works in principle and in practice. (It’s not a Breathalyzer. That’s a brand of device simply not used in Texas.)
Blood Test Analysis
Phillip W. Goff knows how your blood sample was supposed to be collected from your arm, stored, and transported to the lab. He knows how your blood sample was supposed to be treated when it arrived at the lab. He has prepared samples in labs just like the lab’s expert witness at your trial. He’s performed maintenance on the same type of machine the lab used to analyze your blood. He knows how the machine measuring your blood alcohol level works and problems which can inflate the results.
Consequences and Details Beyond Your Criminal Case
DWIs have life-long effects. From the day of arrest to the rest of your life after a conviction, you need a lawyer who has a well-rounded grasp of the entire situation.
Driver License Suspension
Everyone associates DWI with driver license suspensions, but few know how extensive driver license consequences are. Some suspensions may be avoided, while some are mandatory. Lengths of suspensions depend on many factors. Commercial driver license (CDL) holders face the very real possibility of literally being disqualified from their jobs for life, but sometimes, “life” can mean 10 years. Your lawyer absolutely must know what makes some suspensions different than others. One of the most important things DWI defense lawyers must do well is Administrative License Revocations hearings.
Administrative License Revocation
Administrative License Revocation (ALR) hearings are a huge challenge and a potentially great opportunity. ALRs are available in almost every DWI case. Rules are extremely strict, and a slight misunderstanding can doom any chance you have. Few lawyers handle ALR hearings well; some lawyers don’t understand ALR hearings at all. Phillip W. Goff has an unusual mastery of ALR hearings and has trained other lawyers on the topic. He has a track record of winning and using the hearings to help defend against the criminal case.
Too Many Consequences to List
Bond conditions for DWI can be extremely onerous. Alcohol interlock devices for DWI can malfunction, causing you to be falsely accused of drinking when prohibited by a court. Eligibility for Occupational Driver Licenses can mean the difference between keeping and losing a job. Surcharge payments of $3,000.00 to $6,000.00 and related license revocation due to nonpayment are a shock to many lawyers and their clients. Potential relief from such fees is possible, but not if your lawyer doesn’t know whether you qualify or how to apply for the break.
Some People Are More Vulnerable to DWI Charges Than Others
Professionals facing DWI charges have special challenges and requirements. Teachers may become practically unemployable. Commercial drivers sometimes face immediate devastation for obvious reasons. Military officers, lawyers, judges, pilots, accountants, doctors, dentists, nurses, pharmacists, real estate agents, veterinarians, and any job requiring a license may see their careers hang in the balance over a DWI case. Phillip W. Goff has successfully represented clients like all of those listed and many more.
Make the Right Choice
Don’t ruin your future by hiring the wrong lawyer. You owe it to yourself to hire DWI defense attorney Phillip W. Goff.
Now is NOT the time to take a chance with an unproven lawyer or just a “good lawyer.” You need someone truly experienced and successful defending people against DWI charges.
Your decision can be the difference between a terrible outcome or a great one. Phillip W. Goff’s DWI defense ability and knowledge is vast. Whatever your DWI case involves, he is capable of fighting for you like few lawyers can imagine.
He’s ready and able to help you. Call now.
Frequently Asked Questions About DWI in Refugio County
What should I do after a DWI arrest in Refugio County?
Contact a DWI defense attorney immediately. You have only 15 days from the date of your arrest to request an Administrative License Revocation (ALR) hearing through the Texas Department of Public Safety. Missing this deadline means an automatic license suspension on the 40th day after your arrest.
Is Refugio County known for strict DWI enforcement?
Yes. Refugio sits along Highway 77 where speed drops from 75 to 35 mph, resulting in frequent traffic stops. Local and state police actively patrol this corridor, and the legal system in Refugio County is known for being stern on DWI cases.
Can I refuse a breathalyzer test in Texas?
You can refuse a breath or blood test, but refusal triggers an automatic 180-day driver license suspension through the ALR process. However, police can obtain a warrant to draw your blood. An experienced DWI attorney can challenge both the refusal suspension and the warrant process.
What are the penalties for a first-time DWI in Texas?
A first-time DWI is a Class B misdemeanor punishable by up to 180 days in jail, a fine of up to $2,000, and a driver license suspension of 90 days to one year. Probation conditions can include alcohol education courses, community service, and ignition interlock devices.
How can a Lawyer-Scientist help with my DWI defense?
A Lawyer-Scientist has completed rigorous training in analytical chemistry and forensic science. This means your attorney can critically evaluate the blood and breath test evidence against you, identify errors in lab procedures, challenge the accuracy of test results, and effectively cross-examine the state’s expert witnesses.
What is an ALR hearing and why is it important?
An Administrative License Revocation hearing is a civil proceeding separate from your criminal case. It determines whether your driver license will be suspended. ALR hearings also provide a valuable opportunity to cross-examine the arresting officer under oath, which can reveal weaknesses in the state’s criminal case. Few attorneys handle these hearings well.
