Allen DWI Lawyer
Science-driven defense for every Collin County DWI and drunk driving charge, from an under-21 DUI to felony DWI, prosecuted in McKinney and handled from our Allen office.
- Two ACS-CHAL Forensic Lawyer-Scientists
- Former Dallas County Prosecutor
- Author, The Texas DWI Manual
- 500+ Cases Tried to Verdict
Intake answers 24/7 · Case review at no cost · You have 15 days from the notice of suspension to request your ALR hearing
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Recent Collin County DWI Results
Every case gets forensic-level attention. These are recent outcomes for people facing DWI charges in Collin County.
Meet our trial teamIntoxication Manslaughter
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Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case is fact-specific. Client names and identifying details have been omitted for privacy.
Facing a DWI in Collin County?
Deandra Grant Law defends people charged with DWI in Allen and across Collin County, from a first DWI to high-BAC, repeat, and felony charges, including DWI with a child passenger, intoxication assault, and drugged driving. Every Collin County case is heard at the Russell A. Steindam Courts Building in McKinney, fifteen minutes up US-75 from our Allen office at 1333 W. McDermott Drive. Call (972) 848-8828 any hour.
Collin County is not a place to bring a casual defense. Seven County Courts at Law, fifteen District Courts, and a DA’s office with the resources to try the cases it files and a practice of not reducing DWIs to a lesser charge. This firm answers with more than 500 trials to verdict. When the State’s case rests on a breath number or a blood draw, we go to the underlying science: the instrument records, the lab data, the protocol deviations that undermine a result.
Getting started costs nothing. Call or schedule online to talk through what happened. You have just 15 days from the notice of suspension before your license suspension becomes automatic, so sooner beats later.
Your license is on a 15-day clock
It starts when you receive the notice of suspension, not automatically at arrest. In a blood case that notice often arrives by mail weeks later, so the deadline may still be ahead of you. Request the hearing either way.
Is it DWI, DUI, or drunk driving in Texas?
In Texas, DWI and DUI are two different charges. DWI, driving while intoxicated under Penal Code 49.04, is the adult charge, and it is the word on the ticket, the docket, and the DPS suspension notice. DUI, driving under the influence by a minor under Alcoholic Beverage Code 106.041, is the charge for drivers under 21 with any detectable alcohol, and it carries lighter penalties. Drunk driving is simply the everyday phrase for a DWI arrest. If you are 21 or older and were arrested in Collin County for what you would call a DUI or drunk driving, your case is a DWI, and everything on this page applies to you. If you or your child is under 21, the charge may be DUI, and we defend those cases too.
Drunk Driving Arrests in Collin County: What Happens Next
Most Collin County drunk driving arrests start with a traffic stop by Allen, Plano, Frisco, or McKinney police, a DPS trooper on US-75, the Dallas North Tollway, or the George Bush Turnpike, or the Collin County Sheriff's Office, then field sobriety tests on the roadside. Collin runs no-refusal weekends, so if you refuse a breath test, officers can get a warrant and draw blood the same night, and that blood goes to the DPS crime lab in Garland. After the arrest you are booked at the Collin County Detention Facility in McKinney, though an Allen, Plano, or Frisco arrest may hold you in the city jail first, and a magistrate sets your bond, usually within 48 hours. In a breath case you are handed a notice of suspension that day, and in a blood case it can come by mail weeks later; either way, that notice starts the 15-day clock on your license. The case is filed as DWI under Penal Code 49.04 and prosecuted by the Collin County District Attorney, which does not reduce a DWI to a lesser charge, and for most people it is a first offense, a Class B misdemeanor heard in one of the seven County Courts at Law at the Russell A. Steindam Courts Building in McKinney, fifteen minutes from our Allen office. What we do first: request the ALR hearing, preserve the dash and body camera video before it is overwritten, and request the lab records behind the number. Intake answers 24/7, and if we can take your case, the consultation is free.
Under-21 DUI in Collin County
Collin College's campuses in Allen, Plano, Frisco, McKinney, and Wylie, and some of the largest high schools in Texas, put a large under-21 population on Collin County roads. A driver under 21 with any detectable alcohol can be charged with DUI, driving under the influence by a minor, under Alcoholic Beverage Code 106.041. A first DUI is a Class C misdemeanor: a fine, an alcohol awareness class, community service, and a license suspension, usually handled in a municipal or justice court rather than at the Steindam Courts Building in McKinney. The catch is that a driver under 21 who tests at 0.08 or higher, or who has lost the normal use of their faculties, is charged with the adult DWI instead, with jail exposure and the same 15-day ALR clock. For a high school or college student, the arrest can also reach the school's own conduct process, which runs on a separate track from the criminal case. Parents usually make the first call. We defend both the DUI and the DWI version, and the first thing we check is which one the ticket actually says.
How a DWI Case Moves Through Collin County
Collin runs its DWI cases differently from the counties around it. Here is the path from the arrest to the end of the case. Find where you are on it.
Arrest
Collin County DWI arrests come from Allen, Plano, Frisco, and McKinney police, DPS troopers on US-75, the Dallas North Tollway, and the George Bush Turnpike, and the Collin County Sheriff's Office. Wherever the stop happened, the case goes to McKinney.
Booking
After the arrest you are booked at the Collin County Detention Facility in McKinney. City arrests in Allen, Plano, or Frisco may hold you locally first.
Bond and release
A magistrate sets your bond and any release conditions, usually within 48 hours and before your first court setting. Time already spent in the detention facility counts against any sentence later.
Blood analysis
Collin County sends DWI blood to the DPS crime lab in Garland, the regional lab that also serves Denton and Rockwall. Its chromatography, calibration, and quality control records are discoverable, and we request the underlying data in every blood case.
ALR hearing
Your license case runs separately from the criminal case. Request the hearing within 15 days of the notice of suspension, and the hearing becomes the first chance to question the officer under oath.
The 15-day ruleFirst setting
Every Collin County criminal case, wherever the arrest happened, is set at the Russell A. Steindam Courts Building at 2100 Bloomdale Road in McKinney. Misdemeanor DWIs go to one of the seven County Courts at Law, felonies to the District Courts.
Who prosecutes
The Collin County District Attorney's office works its cases up thoroughly, and its courts expect prepared lawyers. Cases here are worked, not warehoused, which makes the quality of the defense matter more, not less.
Resolution
Collin County's pretrial diversion program, Burden to Blessing, excludes DWI. The track that does exist is deferred adjudication on a qualifying first DWI under the 2019 law, with an ignition interlock as a condition. Beyond that, the defense itself is the path to a dismissal, a reduction, or a not-guilty verdict.
Collin County DWI Charges We Handle
Every Collin County DWI charge, from a first offense to intoxication manslaughter.
First-Offense DWI
Driving while intoxicated with no prior convictions, a Class B misdemeanor.
First DWI penaltiesSecond DWI
A DWI with one prior conviction, a Class A misdemeanor with mandatory jail time.
Second DWI penaltiesThird DWI
A DWI with two prior convictions, a third-degree felony carrying two to ten years.
Third DWI penaltiesDWI with Child Passenger
A passenger under fifteen turns a misdemeanor DWI into a felony.
Why this is a felonyIntoxication Assault
Causing serious bodily injury to another while intoxicated, a third-degree felony.
Assault penaltiesIntoxication Manslaughter
Causing a death while intoxicated, a second-degree felony carrying prison time.
Manslaughter penaltiesUnderage DWI
Drivers under twenty-one face DUI charges for any detectable amount of alcohol.
DWI vs. DUIDrug DWI
A DWI where the intoxicant is a drug, prescribed or illegal, with no breath number involved.
How they prove itMarijuana DWI
Marijuana and edibles can support a DWI without any measurable level.
The marijuana rulesPrescription Drug DWI
A valid prescription is no defense if the medication impaired your driving.
Prescription rulesBoating DWI (BWI)
Operating a boat while intoxicated, prosecuted much like a driving DWI.
The BWI rulesWhy Collin County Clients Choose This Firm
What decides a DWI case is how well your lawyer understands the evidence.
What We Do on Every Case
From the first call, in order:
- Request your ALR hearing before the 15-day deadline and use it to question the officer under oath.
- Demand the dash and body camera video before it is destroyed.
- Pull the full discovery file: offense report, calibration and maintenance logs, lab records, certifications.
- Read the underlying chemistry ourselves: the chromatograms and the QC data, not the summary report.
- Re-score the field sobriety tests against NHTSA protocol, on video.
- File the motions the evidence supports, because suppression is how DWI cases end.
- Build your mitigation file, with clinical assessments, at no cost to you.
- Try the case if the offer is not right. Prosecutors know which firms try cases.
Intake answers 24/7, and if we can take your case, the consultation with an attorney is free. We quote a flat fee there, so the investment is known before you commit.
What Collin County Clients Say
613 reviews across our six offices in North and Central Texas. These came through the Allen office.
Douglas Huff is The Only Call You Need to Make. When our family was faced with a complex and daunting DWI case, we were completely overwhelmed. We made one call, and thankfully, it was the right one. Douglas Huff was our first and last call, and he stood by us with unwavering dedication for two incredibly difficult years. To say he is the "best lawyer ever" feels like an understatement. Mr. Huff's in-depth knowledge of DWI law is encyclopedic. He demonstrated exceptional investigative and research abilities, uncovering details and nuances we never would have found on our own. What truly sets Douglas Huff apart is his quick and strategic thinking; he was always several steps ahead, anticipating the prosecution's moves and preparing brilliant counter-strategies. Throughout the lengthy process, Mr. Huff's professionalism was impeccable. He is a master of his craft, possessing strong negotiation skills that were evident from the start and a commanding courtroom presence that inspires confidence. He managed our complicated case with a level of skill and precision that was truly remarkable. Beyond his legal expertise, Douglas Huff showed genuine compassion and a true commitment to us as clients. He was always objective and honest, setting realistic expectations while simultaneously fighting for the best possible outcome. His communication was excellent; he kept us informed, explained complex legal jargon in a way we could understand, and was always available to answer our questions. Most importantly, Mr. Huff showed a profound dedication to minimizing the long-term impacts of this case on our family's future. His efforts went beyond just the legal proceedings; he cared about the outcome on a human level. If you are in a difficult situation and need a DWI attorney, look no further than Douglas Huff. He is, without a doubt, the absolute best.
Well, I knew I was in deep troubles (basically due to my past DWI'S)so I asked around and did some long research. I knew for a fact that I had to get the Best of the Best! After about two weeks I was told by a friend of my boss to check out this law firm(Deandra Grant Law), that his brother just used them and had great results... So I called my sister (she's great at doing research)and set up a time with her to look into this firm (Deandra Grant Law)..... So sure enough she advised me to set up an appointment and go feel them out..... Well, in three days I was in there office and I felt confident and assured that they would do there best to get the results I was looking for (it was not looking good, as far as the DA was trying for).. To fast forward it, two years, four months later Deandra put together a team of attorneys she felt(Knew) confident to get our results that I was content with...... My gosh, when it came time for jury selection, you'd think you were watching "Perry Mason"!! Then, four days later , I tell you, You talk about Law and Order, this team of attorneys were above and beyond impressive,on top of there game would put it mildly!!! I watched every move, listened to every single word and was amazed at the confidence and strength of there ability to work together like a well oil machine!!! To boil it down, I was totally impressed and very thankful that I found them!!!! Ten months two weeks later I ran into another little issue and within four weeks they(Deandra Grant Law)had me 100 per cent taken care of..... Now this takes (took) a lot of communication between there team of secretaries, attorneys , detectives and a lot of hard work.... I know for a fact, I would highly recommend them and most importantly, I would have them on my side again if needed!!!
Highly recommended! Excellent, efficient, and highly educated attorney's and staff that keep up with the "now" and not the past. If you find yourself in the middle of a criminal charge or want to clear your record on an eligible non conviction/not guilty charge (including DWI), give Hamilton Grant a call, they are the best! I promise :)
Collin County DWI Attorneys in the McKinney Courts
Forensic-science training, three decades of North Texas defense, and the courtroom record to back it up.
As Seen In
Serving All of Collin County
We defend DWI cases across Collin County: Allen, Plano, Frisco, McKinney, Wylie, Murphy, Prosper, Celina, Fairview, Lucas, Melissa, and Princeton, plus the Collin County side of Richardson and Carrollton. Wherever the stop happened, the case is prosecuted in McKinney, and those are courts we work every week. Frisco, Prosper, and Celina straddle the Denton County line, so a stop on the western side goes to Denton instead of McKinney, and we check the county first. Our Plano DWI lawyer, Frisco DWI lawyer, and McKinney DWI attorney pages cover those cities, and the McKinney page doubles as our Collin County guide to the courthouse, the DA, the blood lab, and bond.
Our Allen Office
Fifteen minutes from the Russell A. Steindam Courts Building, in the Atrium building just off US-75.

Allen, TX 75013 (972) 848-8828
Free and confidential if we can take your case, in person, by phone, or by video.
Surface and covered parking at no cost on site at the Atrium building, with visitor spaces near the main W. McDermott Drive entrance.
Directions to the Allen Office
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From Russell A. Steindam Courts Building (McKinney)
From 2100 Bloomdale Road, take US-75 South and exit W. McDermott Drive in Allen. Turn right and continue west; the Atrium building is at 1333 W. McDermott.
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From US-75 / Central Expressway
Exit W. McDermott Drive and head west toward Alma Road. The Atrium at 1333 W. McDermott is just past the Watters Road intersection.
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From Plano
Take US-75 North, exit W. McDermott Drive in Allen, and turn left across the highway. Continue west to 1333 W. McDermott.
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From Frisco / Sam Rayburn Tollway (SH-121)
Take SH-121 east to US-75 North, then exit W. McDermott Drive and head west.
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From Downtown Dallas
Take US-75 North (Central Expressway) to Allen, exit W. McDermott Drive, and turn left across the highway.
Also From This Office
- Collin County DWI Lawyer DWI defense across the county, from Plano and Frisco to McKinney and Wylie.
- Allen Criminal Defense Lawyer Misdemeanors and felonies across Collin County, defended by a trial-tested team.
- Plano DWI Lawyer Plano DWI cases, prosecuted in McKinney by a county that will not reduce them to obstruction.
- Plano Criminal Defense Lawyer Plano arrests for assault, drugs, theft, and weapons, heard at the Steindam courts in McKinney.
Court guides for the counties this office covers: Collin County, Grayson County, McKinney, Plano, Frisco.
Wherever You Are in Your Case, Start Here
A DWI case has many moving parts. Find the question you are asking right now.
“I’m out of jail. Now what?”
What happens next, from booking through your first court date, and the deadline that comes first.
Booking to court date“Will I still be able to drive?”
A DWI arrest starts a second, separate case against your license, and it runs on a 15-day clock.
Save your license“What even counts as a DWI?”
What Texas actually has to prove, and the three elements every case rests on.
The three elements“What exactly am I charged with?”
Texas charges DWI at six levels, and four facts can turn a misdemeanor into a felony.
See the charge levels“How bad can the sentence get?”
What a first, second, or felony DWI carries in jail time, fines, and suspension.
Jail, fines, suspension“Is their evidence any good?”
Breath, blood, and roadside tests: what each measures and where each one goes wrong.
Where the tests fail“Was the stop even legal?”
What police need before the lights come on, what the roadside can and cannot require of you, and how to tell afterwards.
The 24 driving cues“What can be done about it?”
Every Texas DWI defense by category, from the stop through the elements the State still has to prove.
Every defense, by type“What happens next, and when?”
Every stage of a Texas DWI case, from filing through disposition, and what happens at each.
Walk through a case“How does my case end?”
Dismissal, acquittal, reduction, deferred, probation, or jail, and which endings let you clear your record.
See how cases end“What does this do to my life?”
What a DWI touches beyond the courtroom: your job, insurance, immigration status, and license.
What a conviction costs“Who should I hire, and what will it cost?”
What to ask, which credentials matter in a DWI case, what fees should cover, and the red flags.
Credentials and feesNot sure what a term means? Check the glossary.
The Rest of What We Defend
DWI is the majority of our work, not all of it. The same attorneys handle these charges in the same courthouses.
Criminal Defense
Assault, drugs, theft, weapons, and every other Texas charge, defended by the same trial team.
Criminal Defense in Collin CountyFederal Crimes
Federal court runs on different rules and different sentencing math. Federal cases from Collin County are filed in the Eastern District of Texas, Sherman Division.
Texas Federal CrimesAllen DWI Questions, Answered
Charged with DWI in Collin County?
The county works its cases hard. So do we. Confidential case review at no cost. Intake answers 24/7, and if we can take your case, the consultation with an attorney is free.
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