How a DWI Lawyer Can Challenge Breath Test Evidence in Texas 50466

If you had been arrested and are trying to find a DWI lawyer in Lubbock, the fast resolution is this: a breath verify is central evidence, yet it is not very automatic evidence of guilt, and it might generally be challenged. A DWI arrest in Lubbock County can positioned your motive force’s license, your crook document, and in a few cases your freedom at danger. It can also soar a separate license suspension strategy lower than Texas’s ALR application, and the cut-off date matters. In maximum cases, you may have 15 days from receiving discover of suspension to request an ALR listening to, and in blood test situations the deadline is 20 days from the mailing date of the notice (Tex. Transp. Code §§ 524.031, 724.041).

If you favor clean answers about your condition, Texas Criminal Defense Group supplies a unfastened session. You can name (806) 542-3513 to speak via what happened, what deadlines apply, and what a DWI lawyer would seek within the stop, the trying out technique, and the State’s evidence.

What Happens After a DWI Arrest in Lubbock

A DWI arrest veritably starts off with booking, an appearance until now a Justice of the Peace, and forms that impacts either your criminal case and your license. In Lubbock County, people arrested for DWI are best Lubbock DWI attorney booked into the Lubbock County Detention Center, 3502 N. Holly, Lubbock, TX 79403. Arrests inside the place can also contain the Lubbock Police Department, the Lubbock County Sheriff’s Office, the Texas Department of Public Safety, or the Texas Tech University Police Department.

Texas rules requires an appearance ahead of a magistrate without pointless lengthen and inside 48 hours of arrest (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Art. 15.17). The Sheriff’s Office says those hearings are held in any case twice day after day and are stay-streamed. At that degree, the magistrate addresses universal rights and bond. Bond will probably be published at the detention center bond window or through a bail bond brand.

If an officer asked for a breath or blood specimen after arrest, the officer should study experienced Lubbock DWI attorney the DIC-24 statutory warning below Texas implied consent legislation (Tex. Transp. Code §§ 724.011, 724.half). If the officer believes a suspension applies, you can also obtain a DIC-25 Notice of Suspension. That detect subjects when you consider that it's going to trigger the deadline to request an ALR hearing.

It also allows to separate three specific phases:

Arrested approach police took you into custody.
Charged capability a prosecutor filed a criminal case.
Convicted skill you were discovered responsible, or in a few cases entered a plea that resulted in a conviction.

Those will not be the identical factor. A user is also arrested for DWI and also have defenses to the prevent, the arrest, the breath try, or the cost itself. In Lubbock County, misdemeanor and legal DWI instances are prosecuted by using the Lubbock County Criminal District Attorney’s Office.

How Texas Law Defines DWI

In Texas, DWI approach working a motor vehicle in a public area even as intoxicated (Tex. Penal Code § 49.04). The State does not have to show each and every DWI case with a breath experiment over zero.08. Texas legislation affords prosecutors two separate ways to try and turn out intoxication (Tex. Penal Code § forty nine.01(2)).

First, the State may well claim you probably did no longer have the long-established use of your intellectual or bodily faculties because of alcohol, a controlled substance, a drug, a damaging drug, a mixture of these ingredients, or the other substance. Second, the State would declare your alcohol concentration used to be 0.08 or more (Tex. Penal Code §§ forty nine.01(1), forty nine.01(2)).

That is why anyone should be arrested no matter if a later attempt influence is lower than zero.08. The prosecution might also nevertheless try to show intoxication underneath the “ordinary use” definition. It also capacity DWI circumstances can involve extra than alcohol. Prescription drugs should be would becould very well be element of a DWI allegation, and a valid prescription is not a defense by means of itself (Tex. Penal Code § 49.10).

Texas law also makes use of wide language for where and how DWI can occur. “Operating” isn't always restricted to driving down I-27 or Loop 289. “Public area” contains locations resembling parking quite a bit and house widely wide-spread components (Tex. Penal Code § 1.07). A DWI arrest may additionally come about on Broadway, in a shop car parking zone, or in another region open to the public.

Texas additionally treats DUI in a different way. For drivers beneath 21, DUI by means of a minor is a separate offense for riding with any detectable quantity of alcohol inside the frame (Tex. Alco. Bev. Code § 106.041). It is a Class C misdemeanor. It is not really a lesser edition of DWI, and adults should not be charged with it. A driver below 21 can nonetheless be charged with full DWI if the information in shape the DWI statute.

Texas DWI Penalties (Current as of September 2026)

Texas DWI consequences depend upon the information, the alcohol awareness degree alleged, previous convictions, and whether or not somebody turned into injured or a youngster passenger became in contact. The table beneath summarizes the offense ranges listed in Texas law as of September 2026.

| Offense | Statute | Offense Level | Confinement | Maximum Fine | |---|---|---|---|---| | First DWI | Tex. Penal Code §§ 49.04(b), 12.22 | Class B misdemeanor | seventy two hours minimum to one hundred eighty days in county prison | $2,000 | | First DWI with open field in speedy ownership | Tex. Penal Code § 49.04(c) | Class B misdemeanor | 6 days minimal to one hundred eighty days in county penitentiary | $2,000 | | DWI with alcohol awareness of 0.15 or more at time of evaluation | Tex. Penal Code §§ forty nine.04(d), 12.21 | Class A misdemeanor | Up to at least one 12 months in county penitentiary | $4,000 | | DWI in faculty crossing quarter even as decreased school speed limit applies | Tex. Penal Code §§ forty nine.04(e), 12.35 | State detention center felony | one hundred eighty days to 2 years in country prison | $10,000 | | DWI with passenger young than 15 | Tex. Penal Code § forty nine.1/2 | State jail felony | a hundred and eighty days to 2 years in country reformatory | $10,000 | | Second DWI | Tex. Penal Code § local DWI attorney 49.09(a) | Class A misdemeanor | 30 days minimal in county penal complex, up to 1 year | $four,000 | | Third DWI | Tex. Penal Code §§ forty nine.09(b)(2), 12.34 | Third-measure felony | 2 to ten years in jail | $10,000 | | Intoxication attack | Tex. Penal Code § forty nine.07 | Third-measure prison | 2 to ten years in legal | $10,000 | | Intoxication manslaughter | Tex. Penal Code §§ 49.08, 12.33 | Second-diploma prison | 2 to 20 years in prison | $10,000 | | Boating whereas intoxicated | Tex. Penal Code § forty nine.06 | Class B misdemeanor | 72 hours minimal to one hundred eighty days in county penitentiary | $2,000 |

A remaining DWI conviction could also cause a separate state fine less than Transportation Code § 709.001. That tremendous is $three,000 for a primary conviction inside a 36 month era, $4,500 for a moment or subsequent conviction inside of 36 months, or $6,000 if the alcohol awareness was zero.15 or greater. It is further to the legal excellent. The courtroom need to waive it if the grownup is chanced on indigent.

Protecting Your Driver's License

Your license just isn't robotically suspended the instant you're arrested, yet a suspension can start out while you do no longer act in time. The ALR software creates a separate civil course of from the criminal case, and the time cut-off dates come quickly (Tex. Transp. Code §§ 524.031, 724.041).

The ALR listening to and suspension lengths

If you well timed request an ALR hearing, the suspension does not soar unless the administrative regulation choose makes a decision the case. ALR hearings are taken care of by way of the State Office of Administrative Hearings, and the protection can subpoena the arresting officer. That will also be great considering it could possibly expose proof early.

For such a lot grownup cases, the suspension lengths are:

| Basis for suspension | Suspension length | |---|---| | Failing a check | 90 days affordable DWI attorney | | Failing a attempt with previous alcohol-relevant or drug-relevant enforcement contact inside of 10 years | 1 12 months | | Refusing a check | 180 days | | Refusing a attempt with previous alcohol-connected or drug-connected enforcement touch within 10 years | 2 years |

These suspension sessions come from Transportation Code §§ 524.022 and 724.035. If no hearing is requested, the suspension sometimes starts off at the 40th day after note. ALR suspensions shouldn't be probated, and the reinstatement rate is $125 (Tex. Transp. Code § 724.046).

A first DWI conviction too can result in a separate license suspension of ninety days to 1 year (Tex. Transp. Code § 521.344(a)).

Occupational driving force's license

An occupational driver’s license, also also known as an most important need license, also can enable limited driving at some point of a suspension (Tex. Transp. Code § 521.2421). For an ALR-simply suspension, the petition goes to a court within the county the place you are living or the place the arrest befell. For a suspension after a conviction, the petition must be filed with the courtroom of conviction.

The court docket have got to order alcohol-dependence counseling unless it finds remarkable motive no longer to (Tex. Transp. Code § 521.245). By default, using is constrained to four hours a day, however the courtroom can enable up to 12 hours in case you instruct want (Tex. Transp. Code § 521.248(b)). If the occupational license calls for an ignition interlock device, the time, path, and cause limits do now not apply (Tex. Transp. Code § 521.248(d)).

The signed court order works as a temporary license for forty five days (Tex. Transp. Code § 521.249). An SR-22 is required. No occupational license is ever issued for driving a business motor vehicle (Tex. Transp. Code § 521.2424).

Ignition interlock and SR-22

An ignition interlock software is a breath-primarily based instrument mounted in a motor vehicle. Texas legislation oftentimes calls for interlock as a bond situation for a repeat DWI charge and for DWI with a baby passenger, intoxication attack, or intoxication manslaughter expenditures (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Art. 17.441). It could also be required as a circumstance of community supervision for designated instances, along with 0.15 or more, repeat offenders, and drivers beneath 21 (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Art. 42A.408).

If deferred adjudication group supervision is possible in a first DWI case, an ignition interlock instrument is needed unless waived after an contrast.

An SR-22 is a Financial Responsibility Insurance Certificate that your insurance plan guests data with DPS. It is a certificates, now not a coverage.

How a DWI Defense Lawyer Challenges the Evidence

A dwi defense lawyer looks on the total case, now not simply the quantity on a scan consequence. Breath evidence might possibly be challenged, but so can the site visitors discontinue, the field exams, the arrest determination, the blood draw, and the timing of a 0.15 result.

The traffic stop

A lawful traffic stop requires not pricey suspicion, and an arrest requires probably cause underneath the Fourth Amendment. If an officer stopped you with no a valid prison groundwork, that situation may possibly have effects on what evidence is also used later.

In exercise, the defense would possibly evaluation the file, dash-cam footage, and frame-cam photos. The query is regularly hassle-free: what targeted evidence did the officer declare justified the end on a street like Marsha Sharp Freeway or in a parking space, and do the recordings match that declare?

Field sobriety tests

Field sobriety tests is additionally challenged based totally on how they have been explained, tested, achieved, and scored. The standardized assessments are the horizontal gaze nystagmus, stroll-and-turn, and one-leg stand, evolved by NHTSA.

No Texas statute requires a motive force to carry out container sobriety exams, and declining them does not motive an ALR suspension. These tests are in most cases presented as symptoms of intoxication, but they may be still human observations. A security lawyer might also reflect on whether or not the officer used the standardized training and no matter if the video supports the officer’s conclusions.

Breath tests

Breath scan proof would be wondered on equally the computer facet and the human facet. In Texas, breath testing is finished on the Intoxilyzer 9000 via the DPS Breath Alcohol Testing Program, and authorized operators are used (Tex. Transp. Code § 724.016).

A protection lawyer can also overview:

operator certification statistics
protection and calibration archives
the timing of the breath specimen
even if the records demonstrate points that be counted for your case

The State nevertheless has to attach the attempt effect to you and to the time that things. A breath result is additionally mighty facts, however it seriously isn't past overview basically on account that a equipment produced various.

Texas regulation additionally issues if you happen to refused a requested specimen. Under implied consent law, refusal remains plausible, but it may bring an extended ALR suspension and is also used as facts at trial (Tex. Transp. Code §§ 724.011, 724.061). That does no longer choose the crook case by using itself, however it's part of the final evidence graphic.

Blood assessments and search warrants

Blood evidence may be challenged, specifically when the difficulty is whether or not police had consent, a legitimate warrant, or genuine emergency cases. Since 2021, police most often need a seek warrant or correct emergency circumstances to take blood without consent, even if a specimen may in a different way be vital (Tex. Transp. Code § 724.012(e)).

Texas law additionally calls for blood to be drawn through certified body of workers in a sanitary place (Tex. Transp. Code § 724.017). Blood samples are retained, and a person may perhaps request complete advice approximately the analysis (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Art. 38.50, Tex. Transp. Code § 724.018). Chain-of-custody statistics can be reviewed.

If you gave the officer the asked specimen, it is easy to, within 2 hours of arrest, set up an extra independent blood try out by means of a qualified user of your picking out (Tex. Transp. Code § 724.019). Police do no longer must delivery you for that examine.

You can even pay attention the word “No Refusal.” That is the identify of an enforcement initiative, no longer a legislations. During the ones operations, a refusal normally leads officials to are seeking for a pass judgement on-signed blood search warrant, and the refusal still triggers the ALR suspension.

The zero.15 timing question

A 0.15 case can often times elevate a timing concern. Texas makes DWI a Class A misdemeanor if the alcohol focus was 0.15 or more at the time the prognosis used to be performed (Tex. Penal Code § forty nine.04(d)).

That wording topics considering the pattern is most of the time taken after the end, now not at the same time the particular person become using. In some instances, the safeguard may possibly question how the later look at various effect relates lower back to the earlier riding time. That can result in disorders about timing and retrograde extrapolation.

Possible Outcomes for a First DWI

A first DWI case can lead to a number of exclusive methods, relying at the evidence, the evidence, your history, and the prosecutor’s decisions. No fair attorney must promise a selected effect. What topics is how reliable the State’s facts is and what criminal themes may well be raised.

Dismissal may just come about in a few situations, yet no longer routinely. If key evidence has authorized concerns, if proof is missing, or if the prosecution comes to a decision it won't meet its burden, dismissal may be you will.

Reduction can come about in some circumstances, yet it depends at the statistics and the prosecutor. One imaginable discount acknowledged via Texas rules is Obstructing Highway or Other Passageway (Tex. Penal Code § 42.03). That is not very out there in every case.

Deferred adjudication community supervision has been conceivable for a primary DWI considering that September 1, 2019 (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Art. 42A.102). On useful completion, there's no conviction. But it truly is not available if the alcohol attention changed into 0.15 or extra on the time of the offense, if the human being holds a industrial driving force’s license or learner’s allow, if a boy or girl passenger was once worried, or if the charge is improved. A DWI deferred adjudication still counts as a prior conviction if a person is later charged with DWI again (Tex. Penal Code § forty nine.09(g)).

Community supervision (on the whole referred to as probation) is some other achievable final results. Straight community supervision is a conviction with a probated sentence. For misdemeanor circumstances, group supervision is capped at 2 years, although it'll be extended after a contravention (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Art. 42A.053).

Many first-time instances also require programs. The DWI Education Program is 12 hours under TDLR regulation and is usually completed inside of 180 days of being positioned on network supervision (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Art. 42A.403). Repeat offenders attend the DWI Intervention Program, at least 30 hours (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Art. 42A.404).

Trial could also be an possibility in some cases. At trial, the State have to end up guilt past an affordable doubt. A breath check is handiest one part of that evidence.

Records after the case, nondisclosure and expunction

A DWI arrest file does no longer disappear on its personal. Whether you would possibly later transparent or decrease public get right of entry to to the checklist is dependent on how the case ends.

An order of nondisclosure can seal many first DWI data from public view if the prison standards are met (Tex. Gov’t Code §§ 411.0726, 411.0731, 411.0736). Waiting intervals differ:

2 years after discharge from deferred adjudication
2 years after finishing network supervision if interlock used to be required for no less than 6 months, in another way 5 years
three years after a conviction without supervision if interlock turned into required for in any case 6 months, in another way five years

Not every person qualifies. It will never be conceivable for a zero.15 or greater conviction. It can also be denied if the State proves the offense caused a collision related to an alternative individual. Law enforcement and licensing firms can still see sealed facts.

An expunction is various. It is governed by Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55A and may observe after an acquittal, after confident dismissals, or while rates are under no circumstances filed and ready durations go. A dismissal does no longer erase archives with the aid of itself. An expunction petition is required. A conviction that stands will not be expunged, unless in rare occasions akin to a pardon or real-innocence alleviation.

A Texas DWI conviction stays on a crook rfile completely. There isn't any automatic removing after 7 or 10 years.

Repeat and Felony DWI Charges

Repeat DWI prices are plenty greater severe on account that earlier intoxication offenses can raise the cost stage and the prospective sentence. In Texas, earlier intoxication convictions rely for enhancement despite how previous they are. There is no 10 yr washout, and out-of-nation priors count (Tex. Penal Code § forty nine.09(c)).

A second DWI is a Class A misdemeanor with a minimal 30 days of confinement (Tex. Penal Code § forty nine.09(a)). A 0.33 DWI is a third-stage felony punishable by way of 2 to ten years in prison and a positive as much as $10,000 (Tex. Penal Code §§ forty nine.09(b)(2), 12.34).

Some past intoxication offenses aside from DWI may additionally depend, including previous boating, flying, and enjoyment trip intoxication convictions. That is one motive a cautious information evaluation issues in a repeat case.

Bond stipulations can also become stricter. Texas legislation repeatedly requires an ignition interlock device as a bond circumstance for a repeat DWI payment and for costs concerning a youngster passenger, intoxication attack, or intoxication manslaughter (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Art. 17.441).

Intoxication assault ability inflicting severe physically injury by explanation why of intoxication. It is a third-level felony (Tex. Penal Code § forty nine.07). Intoxication manslaughter is broadly speaking a 2d-measure felony punishable by 2 to 20 years (Tex. Penal Code § forty nine.08). Since September 1, 2025, intoxication manslaughter may also be a first-measure felony in certain conditions, together with when multiple person dies inside the similar legal transaction (Tex. Penal Code § forty nine.09(b-2)).

A lubbock dwi safety lawyer handling a repeat or felony case will broadly speaking assessment equally the present day facts and the prior conviction statistics as a result of enhancement regulation can replace the can charge level dramatically.

CDL Holders, Texas Tech Students, and Drivers Under 21

Some teams face extra penalties even on a primary arrest. That incorporates commercial drivers, other folks less than 21, and pupils facing a tuition behavior system on the comparable time.

For CDL holders, a breath outcomes of zero.04 or more when working a industrial motor automobile brings a 1 yr industrial license disqualification as an administrative action, now not a prison rate (Tex. Transp. Code § 522.081(b)). A first DWI conviction in any vehicle, or refusing or failing a take a look at, additionally brings a 1 12 months CDL disqualification, or 3 years if hauling placarded unsafe components. A second brings a lifetime disqualification (Tex. Transp. Code § 522.081).

Texas also bars CDL and advertisement learner’s enable holders from DWI deferred adjudication community supervision (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Art. 42A.102). And no occupational license is issued for riding a advertisement motor motor vehicle (Tex. Transp. Code § 521.2424).

For drivers lower than 21, Texas has the separate offense of DUI with the aid of a minor, that means driving with any detectable volume of alcohol within the physique (Tex. Alco. Bev. Code § 106.041). But a driver underneath 21 can nevertheless be charged with full DWI if the info strengthen it. Interlock is additionally required as a condition of community supervision for drivers less than 21 in DWI circumstances (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Art. 42A.408).

For Texas Tech students, the offender case is absolutely not invariably the basically component. A college habits system can also run individually from the offender case.

A DWI Lawyer Near You in Lubbock

If you had been arrested in Lubbock County, native assistance is readily available. Texas Criminal Defense Group is found at 1001 Texas Ave, Lubbock, TX 79401, and the cell quantity is (806) 542-3513.

The firm helps laborers arrested for DWI in and around Lubbock County, including arrests tied to metropolis streets, highways, and public areas in the time of the region. If your arrest fascinated a breath examine, the next steps might contain reviewing the discontinue, the DIC forms, the ALR deadline, the video evidence, and the checking out records.

If you've been browsing online for a DWI attorney close to me, the so much invaluable subsequent movement is mostly a direct mobilephone call. A consultation permit you to appreciate what points in time observe and what complications could depend in your distinctive case.

Frequently Asked Questions

How lengthy do I need to request an ALR hearing after a DWI arrest in Texas?

Usually, you might have 15 days from receiving be aware of suspension to request an ALR listening to (Tex. Transp. Code §§ 524.031, 724.041). In blood examine situations, DPS could mail the awareness later, and the time limit is 20 days from the mailing date. It is not 15 days from the arrest itself.

Is my license suspended right away after a DWI arrest in Lubbock?

No, your license is not very robotically suspended at the present time of arrest (Tex. Transp. Code §§ 524.031, 724.041). If you well timed request an ALR hearing, the suspension does not start off until and unless the executive legislations pass judgement on upholds it. If no hearing is requested, the suspension oftentimes begins at the fortieth day after become aware of.

Can I get an occupational motive force's license after a DWI suspension?

Yes, in many cases you can ask for an occupational driving force’s license (Tex. Transp. Code § 521.2421). The filing court is dependent on whether the suspension is ALR-simplest or follows a conviction. An SR-22 is needed, and the court order acts as a transitority license for forty five days. It does now not allow advertisement motor vehicle riding.

Can a first DWI be a legal in Texas?

Yes, a first DWI can be a felony in a few events. DWI with a passenger younger than 15 is a nation reformatory felony (Tex. Penal Code § 49.1/2). DWI in a tuition crossing sector at the same time the diminished college speed restriction applies is usually a nation penitentiary felony (Tex. Penal Code § 49.04(e)). A first DWI without such enhancement is usually a misdemeanor.

What is the distinction between DWI and DUI in Texas?

DWI and DUI are unique offenses in Texas. DWI is the adult intoxication offense beneath Penal Code Chapter 49. DUI by means of a minor applies handiest to drivers beneath 21 with any detectable quantity of alcohol (Tex. Alco. Bev. Code § 106.041). Adults can not be charged with DUI, and a motive force lower than 21 can nevertheless be charged with DWI.

Does deferred adjudication for DWI depend as a conviction?

For maximum applications, a hit deferred adjudication way there may be no conviction (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Art. 42A.102). But Texas treats DWI another way for long run enhancement. A DWI deferred adjudication nevertheless counts as a prior conviction if the particular person is later charged with DWI lower back (Tex. Penal Code § 49.09(g)).

Can I seal or expunge a DWI in Texas?

Sometimes, yet it depends on how the case ended. Many first DWI situations might qualify for an order of nondisclosure, which seals the checklist from public view if the necessities are met (Tex. Gov’t Code §§ 411.0726, 411.0731, 411.0736). Expunction may possibly apply after an acquittal, positive dismissals, or no filed fees after waiting intervals. A conviction that stands will not characteristically be expunged.

What occurs if I refuse a breath or blood experiment in Texas?

A refusal can cause a longer ALR suspension, and it will probably be used as proof at trial (Tex. Transp. Code §§ 724.011, 724.061). For adults, a refusal veritably brings a a hundred and eighty day suspension, or 2 years with a qualifying earlier enforcement touch inside 10 years (Tex. Transp. Code § 724.0.5). Whether police can nevertheless attain blood may depend upon consent, a warrant, or emergency situations.

Do I should do field sobriety assessments in Texas?

No Texas statute requires you to operate discipline sobriety assessments. Declining them does not create an ALR suspension. The standardized checks are the horizontal gaze nystagmus, walk-and-flip, and one-leg stand. Even when a person does practice them, the safety would possibly still query how the officer prompt, found, and scored the exams.

How lengthy does a DWI keep in your file in Texas?

A Texas DWI conviction stays to your legal document completely. There is not any automatic elimination after 7 or 10 years. In some first-offense situations, somebody may well later qualify for an order of nondisclosure, which seals the rfile from public view, yet that shouldn't be automatic and does no longer erase the listing.

Do I want a legal professional for a first DWI offense?

You are usually not legally required to appoint a attorney, but many americans do considering the fact that a first DWI can have an affect on the two the prison case and the driving force’s license method. A dwi lawyer lubbock citizens call may possibly review the prevent, testing archives, ALR points in time, and attainable effects resembling dismissal, discount, network supervision, or deferred adjudication, if obtainable.

A DWI arrest can leave you with many of questions, but you do now not have to model thru the time cut-off dates and paperwork on my own. Texas Criminal Defense Group can clarify the ALR activity, the legal case, and even if there can be grounds to mission breath scan proof or different ingredients of the State’s case. To establish a loose consultation, call (806) 542-3513 or discuss with 1001 Texas Ave, Lubbock, TX 79401.

This web page adds familiar guidance approximately Texas legislations, not criminal assistance. Contacting the agency does not create an attorney-client relationship. Current as of September 2026.