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Bexar County Criminal Defense Attorney Brad Thornton

EXPERIENCED CRIMINAL ATTORNEY

  1. Board Certified

  2. Former Prosecutor

  3. 100+ Courtroom Victories

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© 2023 by Thornton Criminal Defense, PLLC. 

Atascosa County Criminal Defense Attorney

San Antonio Office:

111 Soledad, Suite 401

San Antonio, Texas 78205

Tel: 210-439-5627

Atascosa Office:

216 N Bryant St

Pleasanton, Texas 78064

FORMER CHIEF PROSECUTOR

PERSONALIZED ATTENTION TO YOUR CASE

NO HOURLY RATES, ALWAYS A FLAT FEE

CLIENT CENTERED APPROACH TO YOUR CASE

BOARD CERTIFIED IN CRIMINAL LAW 

OVER A DECADE OF EXPERIENCE IN CRIMINAL LAW

WHY HIRE THORNTON CRIMINAL DEFENSE?

Attorney Brad Thornton is a highly experienced and Board-Certified criminal defense lawyer. With his background as a former Chief Prosecutor, he has a unique understanding of the criminal justice system and is able to provide comprehensive and effective representation to his clients. He is also deeply committed to ensuring that all individuals receive fair treatment in court, regardless of their background or circumstances.

Brad Thornton is dedicated to helping his clients achieve the best possible outcome for their case, whether it is in San Antonio or elsewhere in South Texas. He recognizes the stress and anxiety that can come with being accused of a crime, and approaches his clients with compassion while keeping them informed at every step of the process. His knowledge and experience make him a strong advocate for his clients.

Arrested for DWI in San Antonio, Texas

DWI Defense

San Antonio DWI Attorney

Less than .008% of lawyers are Board Certified in Criminal Law. Click below to find out what that means and why hiring a Board Certified attorney is the only was to make sure you are getting an lawyer with the experience to handle your case.

DWI Lawyer San Antonio

If you are arrested for DWI in San Antonio or the surrounding counties of Bexar, Wilson, Atascosa, Medina, and Guadalupe, you need an experienced DWI defense attorney to guide you through the process and protect your rights. There are many deadlines to be aware of and the potential consequences of a DWI charge can be severe, including the loss of your license. It is essential to work with a lawyer who is Board Certified in Criminal Law and has the knowledge and expertise to help you achieve the best possible outcome.

 

Don't hesitate – contact San Antonio DWI Attorney Brad Thornton today.

FORMER VEHICULAR CRIMES PROSECUTOR

As a ​member of the District Attorney's Vehicular Crimes Team, in the county with the most roadway fatalities in the State, Brad Thornton was regularly dispatched to the worst types of DWI cases involving serious bodily injury or death.  His years of experience and training on the most serious types of intoxication charges allows him to protect your rights!  When you are looking for a DWI Lawyer in San Antonio DWI attorney, Brad has the experience you need on your side. 

Ten Things Your San Antonio DWI Defense Attorney Should be Doing

1. Understand Your Situation

 

Each individual client’s situation is different. For some, they may be facing a loss of their professional license if they end up with a conviction. Others may be less concerned with the criminal consequences, and more concerned with the financial cost. How to approach each DWI depends on the goals and needs of each individual client. You need an attorney who will listen to you and your needs and explain then execute a plan for accomplishing your goals.

2. Request an ALR Hearing

 

When your driver’s license is suspended because of a DWI, an ALR hearing (Administrative License Review) is how you challenge the State and prevent your license from being suspended. If you refused or failed a breath test, then you have only 15 days to request the hearing.

You may have received a DIC-25 form from the arresting officer. This serves as a notice of suspension of your driver’s license and is a temporary driving permit for 40 days, but you only have 15 days to challenge the suspension. This is one of the most important stages in your case and it is important to have your attorney request a hearing. At the hearing, your attorney can challenge the suspension of your license and obtain discovery in your case. This can give your attorney a head start on the prosecutor, which can obviously lead to better outcomes.

3. Assist You in Getting an Occupational Driver’s License

 

If your license was suspended, there is still an opportunity to get what is called an occupational driver’s license. The occupational license will allow you to drive back and forth to work, school, and some other necessary life requirements.

A Judge must decide if you have an essential need to get an occupational license and you will need to obtain a special form of insurance called SR-22 and provide proof to the court.

4. Demand Evidence from the District Attorney

 

The only way to fight your case is to know what you are up against. A good DWI Defense attorney will work hard to get all the State’s evidence in your case. Article 39.14 requires the State to provide all evidence in your case but there are only penalties if it is requested by an attorney following the requirements of the law. Not only do you need to get an attorney who knows how to protect your rights when getting the evidence, you need an experience DWI Defense Attorney who knows what to do with the evidence

5. Understand how to Investigate the Evidence

 

Many people assume murders are the most complicated type of criminal case because of the tragic result of the crime. That is simply not true. The types and amounts of evidence in most DWI cases is nothing compared to the average criminal case. DWI defense is not for the everyday lawyer. You need a criminal law specialist who has spent years trying DWI cases in front of a jury. DWI Defense Attorney Brad Thornton has spent a substantial portion of his career handling DWIs and has tried every type of Intoxication offense to a jury. He understands what evidence is important to a jury and how to win at trial.

6. Understand the Science

 

DWI Defense is one of the most scientific intensive areas of laws to practice. The attorney you chose must understand the science to present an effective defense. Gas chromatography – mass spectrometry is the method used by the lab to evaluate the sample of your blood. If you provided the officer with a breath sample instead, the machine likely used the scientific method of Infrared Spectroscopy (IR) to produce the result that led to your arrest. If a crash was involved in your crash, you need an attorney who understands Kinematics, Dynamics, and Newton’s laws to analyze and challenge the evidence in front of a jury. And the list of scientific principles that apply to DWI defense can go on and on. DWI Defense Attorney Brad Thornton has examined and cross-examined experts in every field and been trained in every type of science that is involved in a DWI. He has faced experts from the local DPS analysist to a top NASA scientist.

7. Understand the Psychology of Trial

 

One of the most important branches of science involved in DWI defense is psychology. There is a scientific theory that governs every phase of presenting evidence. The principles of recency and primacy rule the presentation of evidence at trial because it means that everyone more accurately understands and places greater weight on what they heard first and what they heard last. There are even scientific studies showing which font and color choice can most greatly impact the audience. You need a lawyer who understands the intricacies of presentation and persuasion. This could be the edge you need to get a favorable result.

8. Understand the Art of Picking a Jury

 

Enough about Science, jury selection is an art. Just like any art, practice leads to better results. You need an experienced DWI Defense Attorney who has selected hundreds of juries and is familiar with the communities where your jury will be selected.

9. Negotiate with the State

 

Only an attorney who understands and has experience in the art and science of a DWI jury trial and can understand the best strategy for your defense and to achieve the goals you have for your case. Such understating is necessary to be able to communicate the problems with the State’s case to the Assistant Prosecutor who is overseeing your case. Negotiation can often lead to the result that the client desires, even a dismissal, if the right attorney is handling your case.

10. Be Ready to Fight!

 

If negotiation is unsuccessful, it is time to fight. San Antonio DWI Lawyer Brad Thornton has presented DWI evidence to hundreds of jurors across the State of Texas from first DWI offense to multiple fatality Intoxication Manslaughter cases. Few attorneys are as prepared for battle in a DWI case as Board Certified Criminal Defense Attorney Brad Thornton.

HAVE YOU BEEN ARRESTED FOR DWI?

You may only have 15 days until you Driver's License is suspended

If you have been arrested for DWI, your license may be in jeopardy. In certain circumstances, you have just 15 days to request an administrative hearing with DPS to save your license. These hearings are highly technical and you need an experienced attorney to request a hearing right away and begin the process to save your license. Contact San Antonio DWI Lawyer Brad Thornton today!

Penalties for Driving While Intoxicated In Texas

DWI FIRST OFFENSE-

Class B Misdemeanor

If you have never been convicted of DWI before, you can be facing the following penalties:

  • A fine of up to $2,000; and

  • Up to 180 days in jail;

DWI SECOND OFFENSE or DWI WITH A BAC OVER .15 -

Class A Misdemeanor

If you have been convicted of DWI once before in any United States jurisdiction or if it was your first offense and your BAC was over a .15, you can be facing the following penalties:

  • A fine of up $4,000; and

  • Up to 12 months in jail;

DWI WITH A CHILD PASSENGER -

State Jail Felony

Regardless of how many times you have been convicted, if you are arrest for DWI and you have a child passenger in your car while you were driving, you can be facing the following penalties:

  • A fine of up to $10,00; and

  • Up to two years in state jail

DWI THIRD OR MORE OFFENSE -

Third Degree Felony

If you have been convicted of DWI once before in any United States jurisdiction, you can be facing the following penalties:

  • A fine of up to $10,000; and

  • Up to 10 years in prison;

DWI THIRD OR MORE OFFENSE WITH PRIOR PRISON TRIP -

Enhanced Felony

If you have been to prison one time for any Third Degree felony or higher, you could be facing the following penalties:

  • A fine of up to $10,000; and

  • Up to 20 years in prison.

If you have been to prison two or more times for any Third Degree felony or higher, you could be facing the following penalties:

  • A fine of up to $10,000; and

  • Up to life in prison.

Additional punishments for all charges can include:

  • Community Supervision (Probation) 

  • DWI Education Programs as a condition of Probation

  • Required to have an Ignition Interlock Device installed on your car

  • Community service hours

  • License renewal surcharge every year, for up to 3 years at an annual fee of between $1,000 – $2,000

  • Significantly increased auto insurance premiums

DWI Attorney in San Antonio, Texas
Second DWI in San Antonio
DWI Third or More
DWI Over .15 BAC
DWI with a Child Passenger in San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio Intoxication Assault Attorney
Intoxication Manslaughter Attorney in San Antonio
DWI License Suspension in San Antonio
Learn about the potential issues and limitations of Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs) and non-standardized testing from San Antonio Criminal Defense Attorney Brad Thornton.
CDL Attorney in San Antonio, Texas
SR-22 Insurance in San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio DWI Lawyer

DWI Crimes & Topics

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Daryl M.

Elmendorf, Texas

If you need a criminal lawyer, Brad Thornton is an excellent choice. He is intelligent, trustworthy, and highly professional, with an amazing understanding of the law.

 

Choosing the right lawyer can shape the rest of your life, so make sure to make the right decision and choose Brad Thornton.

Brian F. 

San Antonio, Texas

I have had the opportunity to know Brad both personally and professionally for a while now. As a fellow attorney, I am consistently impressed by his passion and innovative approach to legal issues. He is exceptionally intelligent and is always willing to go above and beyond for his clients. When I refer clients to Brad, I have full confidence that they will receive top-quality representation.

Stephanie S.

San Antonio, Texas

We recently faced a stressful family matter and turned to Brad for legal guidance. He was extremely compassionate and helped us understand our options and the legal process in an easy-to-follow way. We are thrilled with the outcome of our case and are grateful to Brad for his help. Thank you!

Garry T.

San Antonio, Texas

I cannot emphasize enough how understanding and compassionate Brad Thornton was during a difficult situation. He helped us navigate the legal aspects of our case and provided us with a clear understanding of our options. I highly recommend Brad Thornton for anyone in need of legal representation.

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

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