Trial-tested cdl defense defense in Dallas County. 25 minutes from L and L Law Group's Frisco office via the Dallas North Tollway. Free, confidential consultation 24/7. Call (214) 466-1398.
Texas Bar Licensed20+ Years Criminal DefenseTCDLA MemberFormer Dallas County DAAvailable 24/7Se Habla Español
If you or someone you love is facing cdl defense charges in Dallas County, the next 24 to 72 hours matter. Bond conditions, license obligations, target-letter response windows, and digital evidence preservation are all decided early. The right attorney moves quickly to lock in advantages while options are still open. We answer the phone at any hour because that is when most cdl defense cases need defense work.
CDL Driver Criminal Defense Attorney Texas cases in Texas are governed by Texas Transportation Code Chapter 522 and 49 CFR §383. The State must prove every element beyond a reasonable doubt — and there is almost always more room to challenge the case than the prosecutor first lets on. Stops, searches, statements, lab procedures, witness identifications, chain of custody, and constitutional rights are all open ground for a defense built on Dallas County uses a hybrid system: most agencies upload body-cam and digital evidence to Defender Data; some Dallas Police Department evidence routes through Axon Evidence.com.
L and L Law Group is a Frisco-based criminal defense firm built around two trial lawyers — Njeri London and Reggie London. Reggie London prosecuted in the Dallas County District Attorney's Office before joining the defense bar. That prosecutor's eye on every offense report is what shapes the defense from day one. We are 25 minutes from L and L Law Group's Frisco office via the Dallas North Tollway.
Your Attorneys
Trial-Tested Texas Criminal Defense Counsel
Njeri London
Co-Founding Partner
Texas Bar No.: 24043266
Licensed since: 2006
Law school: Thurgood Marshall School of Law
Memberships: State Bar of Texas, TCDLA
“Most Texas DWI cases are not won at trial. They are won in the motion practice — challenging the stop under Article 38.23, attacking field-sobriety procedure, breaking chain of custody on a blood draw — long before a jury hears a word.”
Reggie London
Co-Founding Partner
Texas Bar No.: 24043514
Licensed since: 2005
Law school: Thurgood Marshall School of Law
Former: Dallas County District Attorney’s Office
Memberships: State Bar of Texas, TCDLA
“I prosecuted DWI cases in Dallas. The State files them in volume and in a hurry. Most have the same handful of weak points — once you know which arguments actually move the needle with a Frank Crowley prosecutor, the cases negotiate very differently.”
This page was written and reviewed by Njeri London, State Bar of Texas No. 24043266, and Reggie London, State Bar of Texas No. 24043514. Last reviewed: April 2026.
Quick Answer
CDL Driver Criminal Defense Attorney Texas cases in Texas are governed by Texas Transportation Code Chapter 522 and 49 CFR §383. Penalties depend on offense level, prior history, and aggravating facts. Dallas County cases are filed at the Frank Crowley Courts Building. L and L Law Group provides free, confidential 24/7 consultations across the DFW Metroplex. Call (214) 466-1398.
Texas Law Governing CDL Defense Cases
CDL Driver Criminal Defense Attorney Texas charges in Texas arise under Texas Transportation Code Chapter 522 and 49 CFR §383 and related provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure. Punishment ranges in Texas run from Class C misdemeanor (fine only) through first-degree felony (5 to 99 years or life) under Texas Penal Code Chapter 12. The specific subsection charged, the alleged conduct, prior history, and aggravating facts all change the exposure dramatically.
The first job of defense counsel is to read the offense report carefully against the elements of the charged statute. Many cdl defense cases are filed quickly — sometimes before the State has all of its evidence — and a careful elemental review often surfaces gaps that translate into pretrial leverage. We use the Michael Morton Act discovery rights under Article 39.14 aggressively from the first appearance forward.
How a CDL Defense Case Moves Through Dallas County Courts
After arrest, booking and magistration occur at Lew Sterrett Justice Center, 111 W Commerce St, Dallas, where magistration occurs within 24 hours of arrest under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 15.17. Bond is set and conditions imposed. The case is then filed in the appropriate court — county criminal court for misdemeanors, district court for felonies, federal district court for federal charges. First setting (arraignment) is typically 4 to 8 weeks after arrest; pretrial appearances follow over several months.
Dallas County uses a hybrid system: most agencies upload body-cam and digital evidence to Defender Data; some Dallas Police Department evidence routes through Axon Evidence.com — this matters because the defense file is built around what the State must produce. Resolution comes through dismissal, motion to suppress, plea, deferred adjudication under Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 42A, pretrial diversion, or jury trial in Dallas County courts.
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Defenses Commonly Raised in CDL Defense Cases
Article 38.23 motion to suppress — challenge the basis for the traffic stop. If the officer lacked reasonable suspicion under Terry v. Ohio, all evidence is suppressed.
Field sobriety test challenges — Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus, Walk-and-Turn, and One-Leg Stand have strict NHTSA protocols. Officer deviation from protocol is routinely fatal to admissibility.
Breath/blood test challenges — Intoxilyzer 9000 calibration logs, the 15-minute observation period, and chain-of-custody for blood draws all create defensible issues.
Negotiating to obstruction of a highway (Penal Code §42.03) — avoids the DWI conviction, license suspension, and DPS surcharge entirely.
Pretrial diversion programs — available in Collin County and several others for qualifying first-time offenders.
Deferred adjudication for first-offense DWI — available since HB 3582 took effect in September 2019, with eligibility for nondisclosure under Government Code §411.0726.
Collateral Consequences You Should Know About
Beyond the criminal sentence, a Texas DWI conviction triggers driver-license suspension under Transportation Code Chapter 521; insurance increases of 50 to 200 percent for three to five years; an SR-22 financial responsibility filing requirement; mandatory ignition interlock for any DWI with BAC 0.15+ or any second offense; and immigration consequences for non-citizens, including potential deportability under federal law for repeat offenses. Professional licensees (nursing, law, healthcare, education) face board reporting obligations.
How We Defend CDL Defense Cases
Our Five-Step Defense Process
01
Free 24/7 Consultation + 15-Day ALR Action
You call. We act on the ALR clock first — Transportation Code §524.031 gives you 15 days from arrest to request the Administrative License Revocation hearing. Miss that window and your license suspends automatically on day 40. We file the request, lock in your hearing date, and put the arresting officer under oath months before the criminal case is set.
02
DWI Investigation: Stop, Tests, Lab
Once retained, we pull body-cam, dash-cam, the DIC-23 / DIC-24 / DIC-25 forms, the Intoxilyzer maintenance and calibration logs, and the blood-draw chain of custody. We compare the field-sobriety performance against NHTSA standards. Most Texas DWI cases have at least one defensible weak point in this chain.
03
Article 38.23 + Field-Sobriety Challenges
Motion to suppress under Code of Criminal Procedure Article 38.23 if reasonable suspicion or probable cause was lacking. Motions in limine on field-sobriety testing where NHTSA protocols were not followed. Sufficient suppression usually ends the case.
04
Negotiation: Reduction or Pretrial Diversion
Where appropriate, we negotiate reduction to obstruction of a highway under Penal Code §42.03 (no DWI conviction, no DPS surcharge, no automatic license suspension), pretrial diversion in qualifying counties, or deferred adjudication (available for first-offense DWI under HB 3582 since 2019).
05
Trial-Ready Defense + Record Clearing
If your case does not resolve favorably, we are trial-ready: voir dire strategy, expert toxicologist if needed, jury-charge negotiation. After resolution, we screen for expunction (Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55A) or nondisclosure (Government Code §411.0735, §411.0745) eligibility — DWI nondisclosure is available in many cases.
Client Outcomes
Social Proof & Case Results
5.0
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Average rating across verified client reviews
Recent Client Reviews
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“Reggie spotted a problem with the field sobriety test the officer never thought we'd catch. The DWI got dismissed before the second setting. I kept my CDL and my job.”
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“Blood draw was challenged on chain-of-custody grounds. Case dismissed after the lab tech could not produce calibration logs. I was floored.”
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
“I was arrested for a second-offense DWI and thought my career was over. Njeri filed an ALR request inside the 15-day window and got the suspension overturned. The criminal case ended in obstruction of a highway. I never lost my license.”
Representative Case Results
ALR hearing won — License retained after officer failed to establish probable cause at hearing. Tarrant County, 2024.
Reduced to obstruction of a highway — §42.03 plea avoided DWI conviction, license suspension, and DPS surcharge. Collin County, 2024.
DWI charges dismissed — After Article 38.23 motion to suppress challenged the basis for the traffic stop. Dallas County, 2024.
Intoxication assault reduced — Second-degree felony reduced to state-jail with probation. Dallas County, 2023.
Pretrial diversion accepted — First-offense DWI ended in dismissal upon program completion. Collin County, 2024.
Past results do not guarantee similar outcomes. Each case is unique and depends on its own facts and applicable law.
Frequently Asked Questions
CDL Defense — FAQ
CDL Defense charges in Texas are governed by Texas Transportation Code Chapter 522 and 49 CFR §383. Penalties depend on offense level, prior history, aggravating facts, and the specific subsection charged. The State must prove every element beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
L and L Law Group offers free initial consultations. Engagement fees for cdl defense cases in Dallas County vary based on case complexity, charge level (misdemeanor versus felony), and whether trial is anticipated. We offer flat-fee pricing with payment plans. Call (214) 466-1398 for a confidential quote tailored to your case.
The first setting is typically arraignment at the Frank Crowley Courts Building. In most Dallas County misdemeanor cases the defendant's attorney can appear without the client; felony arraignments require the defendant's presence. We will tell you exactly what is required for your case before the setting.
Yes — though never guaranteed. Common dismissal pathways include motions to suppress under Code of Criminal Procedure Article 38.23 when the stop, search, or interrogation was unlawful, insufficient evidence, witness recantation, pretrial diversion, and prosecutorial discretion in marginal cases.
It depends on the disposition. A dismissal makes you eligible for expunction under Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55A. A deferred-adjudication completion may qualify for nondisclosure under Government Code §411.0735. SB 731 (2023) expanded eligibility materially. We screen every case for record-clearing options at intake.
Yes. Even when a plea is the right outcome, the negotiated terms — dismissal of greater counts, deferred adjudication versus straight probation, conditions, and the path to record sealing — vary widely with skilled negotiation. A plea entered without counsel is rarely the best plea available.
Misdemeanor cdl defense cases typically resolve within 6 to 12 months in Dallas County. Felony cases often run 9 to 18 months, longer if trial. Federal cases routinely run 12 to 24 months. The timeline depends on court docket, evidence complexity, and motions filed.
You have an absolute Fifth Amendment right not to testify, and a jury cannot hold silence against you. The decision is yours and yours alone, made with full advice from counsel after seeing how the State's case develops at trial.
Local agencies in Dallas County build cases that route through the Dallas County District Attorney's Office. Discovery is typically delivered through Dallas County uses a hybrid system: most agencies upload body-cam and digital evidence to Defender Data; some Dallas Police Department evidence routes through Axon Evidence.com. Knowing the local agency's practices, the prosecutor unit assigned, and the trial judge's preferences shapes the defense.
Do not talk to law enforcement without counsel present. Do not consent to searches. Do not delete digital records — that can be charged separately as tampering with evidence under Texas Penal Code §37.09. Call us — the first 24 to 72 hours of an investigation are when defense leverage is highest.
Before You Go to Court
Frank Crowley Courts Building
Conveniently located in Frisco — 25 minutes from L and L Law Group's Frisco office via the Dallas North Tollway
On-site garage at 133 N Riverfront ($5–$10/day). Pearl/Arts District DART station 5-min walk. Free 2-hour street parking is rare; plan for paid.
Security & What to Bring
Photo ID required. No firearms, knives, or large bags. Cell phones permitted but must be silenced. Allow 15–25 min at security during peak hours (8:30–9:30 a.m.).
Hours & Clerk
Building 7 a.m.–6 p.m. weekdays. Clerk's window 8 a.m.–4 p.m. District Clerk: (214) 653-7307. County Clerk: (214) 653-7099.
Dress Code
Conservative business casual at minimum. Closed-toe shoes. Avoid clothing with profanity, drug imagery, or gang-affiliated colors. Hats off in courtroom. Phones must be silenced or off.
By the Numbers
Dallas County, Texas — CDL Defense Statistics
0.08 BAC
Statutory threshold for DWI under Texas Penal Code §49.01(2)(B), §49.04. BAC of 0.15+ is a Class A misdemeanor under §49.04(d).
Source: Texas Penal Code §49.01–§49.04
15 days
Window to request an Administrative License Revocation hearing after a DWI arrest.
Source: Texas Transportation Code §524.031
180 days
License suspension on a first refusal of a breath/blood test.
Source: Texas Transportation Code §724.035
$2,000
Maximum fine for a first-offense Class B DWI; $4,000 for BAC 0.15+ Class A.
Source: Texas Penal Code §12.22, §12.21
2–10 yrs
TDCJ range for a third-offense felony DWI.
Source: Texas Penal Code §49.09(b), §12.34
County Prosecution Approach
How the Dallas County District Attorney's Office Handles CDL Defense
the Dallas County District Attorney's Office files cdl defense cases through specialized trial divisions at the Frank Crowley Courts Building. Initial filings move through intake; specialized trial divisions then handle the case to resolution. Knowing which division has the file, the supervising prosecutor's practices, and the trial judge's preferences shapes how the defense is best presented. Dallas County DA's Office →
Dallas County operates a high-volume docket. Cases that sit without active defense work tend to follow the State's default trajectory toward conviction or unfavorable plea. Cases where the defense files motions early, requests discovery aggressively under Article 39.14, and engages the prosecutor on the merits routinely resolve more favorably. The Dallas County DA also operates several specialty courts and pretrial-diversion programs that, where eligible, can convert a conviction-track case to a dismissal-track case.
Every case is different. The information above reflects general patterns and does not constitute a prediction or guarantee of any specific outcome.
What to Expect
Your Case Timeline
STEP 1
Arrest & Booking → Magistration
Timeframe: Within 24–48 hours
Booking and magistration occur at Lew Sterrett Justice Center, 111 W Commerce St, Dallas, where magistration occurs within 24 hours of arrest under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 15.17. Bond is set; conditions imposed; counsel may be requested at this stage.
STEP 2
Bond Posting & Release Conditions
Timeframe: Same day to 72 hours
Bond posting (cash, surety, or PR bond), conditions reviewed, MOEP issued in family-violence cases. Compliance from hour one is non-negotiable.
STEP 3
First Setting / Arraignment
Timeframe: 2 to 6 weeks after arrest
First court setting in Dallas County. The defendant's attorney can typically appear without the client at the first misdemeanor setting; felony arraignments require the defendant's presence.
STEP 4
Discovery & Pretrial Motions
Timeframe: 2 to 8 months
Dallas County uses a hybrid system: most agencies upload body-cam and digital evidence to Defender Data; some Dallas Police Department evidence routes through Axon Evidence.com. Defense files Article 39.14 demands, Article 38.23 motions to suppress, motions to quash, and motions in limine.
STEP 5
Negotiation, Plea, or Trial
Timeframe: 3 to 18+ months
Resolution through dismissal, motion-to-suppress ruling, plea (with or without deferred adjudication), pretrial diversion, or jury trial in Dallas County courts.
STEP 6
Post-Resolution Record Clearing
Timeframe: Eligibility varies
After resolution, eligibility for expunction (CCP Chapter 55A) or nondisclosure (Government Code §411.0735) is screened and pursued where available, including SB 731 (2023) expansions.
Every case is different. Case timelines vary based on court docket, evidence complexity, and the specific facts of your situation. L and L Law Group will give you a realistic timeline assessment at your free consultation.
Available 24/7 — we respond within 60 minutes. Confidential consultation. Your information is protected by attorney-client privilege. No obligation. Se habla español. We accept payment plans.
This website is for general information purposes only and constitutes attorney advertising under the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.
Past results do not guarantee similar outcomes. Each case is unique and must be evaluated on its own facts and circumstances.
L and L Law Group, PLLC attorneys are licensed to practice in the State of Texas. Njeri London (Texas Bar No. 24043266) is the attorney responsible for the content of this page. Reggie London (Texas Bar No. 24043514). None of the attorneys at L and L Law Group, PLLC are Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization unless specifically and separately stated.
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