🚔 Pulled over for DWI in Keller or Southlake? Learn what police look for, where stops often happen, and how our local defense lawyers can protect your rights.
If you live in Keller or Southlake, Texas, you already know these communities take pride in safety, order, and reputation. That’s why local police departments invest significant resources into DWI enforcement. Drivers are often surprised by how frequently patrols run along Highway 114, Keller Parkway, FM 1709, and near Southlake Town Square— particularly on weekends and holidays.
Being stopped on suspicion of Driving While Intoxicated (DWI)is intimidating, especially if you’ve never been through it before. What happens in the first few minutes of that stop can determine whether you’re arrested, charged, and ultimately convicted.
This guide will walk you step-by-step through what to expect if you’re stopped for DWI in Keller or Southlake.
1. Where DWI Stops Commonly Happen in Keller & Southlake
While police can stop drivers anywhere, some areas are frequent hot spots for DWI patrols:
- Highway 114 (Southlake/Grapevine Corridor)– Heavy traffic from Southlake Town Square and Grapevine nightlife.
- Keller Parkway / FM 1709– Popular restaurant and retail strip with late-night traffic.
- Southlake Town Square– Officers often patrol during weekends, concerts, and community events.
- Highway 377 near Keller– Monitored for late-night bar traffic.
On No Refusal Weekends(New Year’s, July 4th, major holidays), Keller PD and Southlake PD often coordinate with law enforcement across Tarrant Countyso that refusal to provide a sample results in a search warrant for a blood draw.
2. How Officers Spot Suspected Intoxicated Drivers
Texas law (Penal Code § 49.04) defines DWI as operating a vehicle while intoxicated. To establish reasonable suspicion or probable cause, local officers look for:
Driving Behaviors:
- Swerving, weaving, or drifting between lanes
- Driving too slowly or braking erratically
- Ignoring traffic signals or signs
- Driving at night without headlights
Indicators After the Stop:
- Bloodshot or glassy eyes
- Slurred or delayed speech
- Odor of alcohol
- Fumbling with license/insurance documents
- Nervousness, sweating, or unusual behavior
💡 Tip: Officers record everything they observe, from how you roll down your window to whether your hands are shaking and any of this can be used against you.
3. What Happens During Field Sobriety Tests
If suspicion rises, officers often ask you to perform Field Sobriety Tests (FSTs)such as:
- Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN)– Sometimes referred to as the “eye test”. Following a light or pen with your eyes.
- Walk-and-Turn Test– Walking heel-to-toe in a straight line.
- One-Leg Stand– Balancing on one leg while counting.
⚠️ Important:FSTs are voluntary in Texas. You are not legally required to take them, but refusal may still lead to arrest.
4. Official Breath or Blood Testing
If arrested, you will likely be transported to the Keller Jailor the Southlake DPS facilityfor official chemical testing.
The Options:
- Breath Test (Intoxilyzer 9000):A machine used at the jail to measure blood alcohol concentration (BAC). A result of 0.08% or highercreates a presumption of intoxication.
- Blood Test:Conducted by medical staff, usually at a hospital or clinic. The sample is sent to a DPS-certified lab.
Refusal & No Refusal Weekends:
- Refusing testing usually results in an automatic license suspension.
- During No Refusal periods, officers will quickly obtain a judge-signed warrantto force a blood draw.
- Even if Tarrant County is not conducting a No Refusal Holiday or Weekend, Police can (and often do) still obtain a warrant for a blood draw.
Potential Issues a Lawyer Can Challenge:
- Calibration and maintenance of breath machines
- Officer certification and test administration errors
- Chain of custody in blood testing
- Medical conditions (acid reflux, diabetes, prescription meds) that may skew results
5. Administrative License Revocation (ALR) Hearings
A DWI arrest doesn’t just risk criminal penalties — it also triggers a civil processto suspend your driver’s license.
Key Facts:
- Officers seize your license and issue a temporary permit.
- You have 15 daysfrom arrest to request a hearing.
- Hearings are typically held virtually for Keller/Southlake residents.
Suspension Lengths:
- Failed test (BAC ≥ 0.08): 90 days to 1 year
- Refusal: 180 days to 2 years
Why ALR Hearings Matter:
- They are the first chance to cross-examine the arresting officer under oath.
- Winning saves your license and may expose weaknesses in the State’s case.
- Missing the 15-day deadline means automatic suspensionon day 40 after arrest.
6. Common Mistakes Drivers Make
Many drivers hurt their case by making simple but costly mistakes:
- Admitting to “a couple of drinks”– even small statements are used against you.
- Believing FSTs are required– they’re voluntary.
- Becoming argumentative– hostility almost guarantees arrest.
- Ignoring the ALR deadline– waiting too long costs you your license.
7. The Consequences of a Keller or Southlake DWI
A first-time DWIin Texas is a Class B Misdemeanor and can lead to:
- Fines up to $2,000
- Jail time up to 180 days(3 days minimum)
- License suspensionfrom 90 days to 1 year
- Annual surchargesto keep your license
- Permanent criminal record
Aggravated cases (BAC ≥ 0.15, child passenger, accidents with injury) can escalate to higher level misdemeanors orfelonies, much higher fines, and longer driver’s license suspensions.
8. How a Keller or Southlake DWI Defense Lawyer Can Help
A skilled defense attorney may challenge:
- Whether the traffic stop was lawful
- Whether FSTs were properly administered
- The accuracy of breath/blood testing
- Any violations of constitutional rights
Potential outcomes include:
- Case dismissal
- Reduction to lesser charges(such as Obstruction of a Highway)
- Probation or alternative sentencing
The attorneys at Howard Lotspeich Alexander & Williams, PLLC (HLAW) have been representing clients accused of DWI in Keller and Southlake, Texas for over a decade and know how these agencies operate. We’ve successfully obtained dismissals and acquittals for our clients on Keller and Southlake DWI cases.
9. Why Local Experience Matters
Your case could touch the Keller Municipal Court, Southlake Municipal Court, and ultimately a Tarrant County Criminal Court in Fort Worth.
Local experience matters because:
- Each court has different judges, prosecutors, and procedures.
- Community reputation is critical in Keller and Southlake.
- A local attorney understands how these agencies and courts actually operate day to day.
10. Arrested for DWI in Keller or Southlake? Call Us Today
If you or someone you love has been arrested for DWI in Keller or Southlake, time is critical. From protecting your license to building a strong defense, every step matters.
At Howard Lotspeich Alexander & Williams, PLLC (HLAW), our Keller and Southlake DWI defense attorneys provide aggressive, experienced, and compassionate representation.
📞 Contact us today for a free consultation— and let us fight to protect your rights, your license, and your future.
