Welcome to Austin Texas DWI Defense and Criminal Law Website

For over 50 years the Shefman's have been practicing law in Texas. Benjamin Shefman began practicing law in Texas in 1958 and continued to practice until 2000. His grandaughter's, Lenore and Daucie Shefman, continue in his footsteps as Texas lawyers seeking justice for those criminally accused and injured by other's negligent acts.

DUI/DWI Attorney:
If you think a DWI lawyer is expensive just look at what it will cost you without a lawyer after entering a plea of no contest or guilty. For a first time DWI conviction you will pay $1000 a year for 3 years in surcharges. You will be charged probation costs, drug testing fees, occupational license fees, time in jail, and SR-22 insurance costs. If you have been arrested or charged with DUI or DWI you may be able to negotiate a lesser charge, reduce the penalties generally associated with a DWI, maintain your driving privilege, obtain work/occupational related driving privileges, or dismiss the charges entirely depending on the facts and evidence in your case.

You only have fifteen days to schedule a an Administrative License Hearing following a Notice of Suspension usually the date you were stopped.

It is important to find and attorney that is unafraid to take your case to trial if need be. Talk to your attorney, find out how many cases they have taken to trial and how many they have won. Therefore, do not delay, contact one of our experienced DUI/DWI attorneys right away.

Marijuana, Drug Charges, Felonies and Misdemeanors:

Unfortunately, Texas has not caught on to harm reduction philosophy. While we wait for Texas to become the thirteenth state to realize the efficacy of medical marijuana people are continuing to face severe charges, ridiculous penalities and sentencing for the use of what other states dare to call medicine. If you are facing charges for the sale or possession of Marijuana or other drugs, drug trafficking or other criminal activity, contact us today.

Read and add dialogue to the Pot Watch blog.

We Fight to Win!

You can only get a dismissal or an acquittal for a DUI/DWI by challenging and discrediting the evidence that has been gathered against you. Although it is up to the prosecutor to prove the case against you, if you have been charged, whether it is circumstantial evidence or minor evidence the prosecutor believes that you can be convicted if brought before a jury. When the evidence against you is weak, the prosecution sometimes counts on people not getting an attorney and suffering the charges, fines, fees and driving record that is to come following conviction for DWI.

To properly challenge the prosecutors evidence requires knowledge of blood alcohol analysis and content, field sobriety tests (FST's), and the officers who administer them and the prosecutors who utilize them in their case against you. An experienced DWI attorney will know about the Intoxilyzer 5000 and 8000 and may even have one in their office to use to show a jury. Knowledge and use of the Alcotest machines used to test your blood alcohol levels is also important to being able to show your innocence at trial.

A seasoned DUI or DWI trial attorney will know the art of cross-examination. Cross-examining the officer that administered the (FST's) is crucial to your DUI or DWI defense. Knowing how to discredit the testimony of the officer who administered your (FST's) could also determine the outcome of your DUI or DWI defense. Cross-examination of the breath-test operator or the technician or medical personnel who took your blood sample could also determine the outcome of your defense. Make sure the person you hire can be trusted with these issues that will impact your life.

Only an experienced DWI lawyer will know how to lead your case to victory.

DUI and DWI penalties can be harsh. Without the proper DWI lawyer you could lose your license for up to a year or more depending on the number of violations you have had and the circumstances surrounding your arrest. Insurance rates upon conviction, or on a plea of guilt or no contest, will skyrocket, jail time may be imposed, and severe additional financial penalties costing you over $10,000 will apply. Of course, there is also the concern that the DWI will stay on your record for all times.

Make sure you have an experienced DWI lawyer fighting for you. Where jail time may be imposed and the facts against you are iron clad, all hope is not lost, we can still work to negotiate with the district attorney to reduce penalties, fees, or jail time, even replace jail time with home detention or community service. There may also be alternative punishments that are suitable to the district attorney and the courts but, without a DWI attorney advocating for you the average person may be unaware of their options thus, the chances of negotiating a better deal may be lost.

Lawyer Up!

DUI is a criminal charge and depending on the offense may be a misdemeanor or a felony. Lawyer Up! You do not have to speak with the officer who is arresting you. It may seem like they are only making conversation, or trying to be nice- the truth is, they are gathering evidence against you for a conviction on a DWI. This is their job. If you have been arrested and you are refusing to speak to the officers that stopped you, they will undoubtedly tell you that if you speak with them “they will try to help you”, “they will put in a good word with the D.A.” It is up to you to believe them. If you are not convicted the officer will look bad for stopping and arresting people without probable cause. The officer that stops you for DUI or DWI has an interest, beyond maintaining law and order, in seeing to it that you are convicted for a DWI.

By simply saying “I want to speak with my lawyer” you invoke your absolute 6th Amendment right to counsel. The DWI arresting officer may try to get you to speak even after you have invoked your right to counsel. Do not give up your right to maintain silence. You must invoke your right and consistenly enforce your own will to not assist in your own conviction.

The 6th Amendment of the United States Constitution applies to all states vis-à-vis the 14th Amendment Due Process Clause. We are here 24 hours a day and toll free: 1-877-366-7677. Protect yourself and protect your right to be clearly informed of the nature and cause of the charges against you. These protections provide you the fundamental right to prepare an adequate defense. Do not waive this right.

Personal Injury Attorney:
If you have been hurt or injured on a motorcycle, bicycle, or by an automobile as a pedestrian, contact our bicycle accident attorneys, motorcycle accident attorneys, or pedestrian accident attorneys for your free case evaluation. Do NOT speak with an insurance company representative. The insurance industry depends on reducing the amount of recovery every person who makes a claim is entitled to, this is how they stay in business. Contact us, we can help you or your loved one with an injury.

The Shefman Law Group-4015 Marathon Blvd., Austin, Texas 78756 (Across from Central Market on N. Lamar)

Practicing in Austin, San Marcos, New Braunfels, Leander, Cedar Park, Round Rock, Buda, Kyle, and other surrounding cities.

Practicing in the following counties: Travis, Williamson, Hays, and Comal counties.