Brazos County DWI Defense Attorney

If you’re searching for Brazos DWI defense information, that usually means a traffic stop turned into a legal emergency.  If that’s you, you’re making a good move by seeking a skilled Brazos County DWI attorney to represent you.  Thousands of DWI arrests happen every year in Texas and a DWI arrest in Brazos County is no laughing matter.  A DWI arrest can threaten everything you have worked for, from your driver’s license and career to your reputation in the community. That’s where an experienced DWI defense attorney like Andrea M. Kolski can make all the difference.   

It’s no secret that Texas takes DWI laws seriously. The laws are written to protect the public and keep the roadways safe for all.  Anyone caught breaking those laws can face serous punishments including jail, expensive fines, license suspension, and a permanent criminal record that can haunt you for life.  

For over 25 years, Andrea M. Kolski has helped countless clients overcome DWI charges and get on with their life.  From dismissals to reduced charges to reasonable plea deals, Andrea has the skills and experience to get you the best possible outcome. Andrea’s a proven fighter who will stand between you and the power of the state while protecting your rights and securing your future. 

Don’t Become Another Statistic: Texas DWI Convictions 

Brazos County is home to Texas A&M and several fast-growing towns including College Station and Bryan.  With such a younger population, Brazos county courts see their fair share of intoxication and DWI related cases.  

Across Texas, conviction rates for DWI and related offenses are extremely high. Brazos county is no exception.  Statewide criminal justice studies consistently show that more than 90% of DWI defendants end up convicted or placed on some form of probation or deferred adjudication. You read that right: 90%.  That means only 1 in 10 defendants walk away without serious consequences and having a skilled lawyer is key to beating those odds. 

It’s easy to see that walking into a Brazos County courtroom without an experienced DWI lawyer is a recipe for disaster.  For over 25 years, DWI attorney Andrea M. Kolski has helped clients avoid disaster and avoid harsh Texas punishments.  Nobody knows Texas DWI law better than Andrea and what it takes to beat the system.   

A Look At Texas DWI and Intoxication Law 

Texas law addresses intoxication offenses primarily in Chapter 49 of the Texas Penal Code. Understanding the basic definitions is the first step in understanding what you are facing. 

Texas Penal Code § 49.01(2) explains what it means to be intoxicated: 

“Intoxicated” means 
(A) not having the normal use of mental or physical faculties by reason of the introduction of alcohol, a controlled substance, a drug, a dangerous drug, a combination of two or more of those substances, or any other substance into the body; or 
(B) having an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more. 

Under Texas Penal Code § 49.04: 

“A person commits an offense if the person is intoxicated while operating a motor vehicle in a public place.” 

These broad definitions cover alcohol, illegal drugs, prescription medications, and any combination that might impair a driver. The laws and punishments are designed to discourage anyone from getting behind the wheel if they’re impaired in any way. 

The Texas Transportation Code adds another layer of punishments separate from the criminal charges.  With these, the state can move to suspend your driver’s license if you refuse or fail a breath or blood test. That process begins almost immediately after an arrest and usually before you appear in a criminal court. 

Understanding The 3 Most Common Texas DWI Statutes  

While intoxication related offenses can come in many different forms, three statutes are common in Brazos County court.  Below, we take a brief look at the general punishment ranges.  These ranges can also be affected or enhanced by prior convictions and case specific factors. 

Texas Penal Code § 49.04, Driving While Intoxicated 
This is the basic DWI statute. A standard first offense DWI is usually charged as a Class B misdemeanor, with a potential punishment of: 

• Up to 180 days in county jail 
• A fine of up to $2,000 
• License suspension and court ordered conditions such as classes or community service 

If blood or breath alcohol concentration is 0.15 or higher, § 49.04 allows the charge to be enhanced to a Class A misdemeanor, which can mean up to 1 year in jail and up to a $4,000 fine.   

Texas Penal Code § 49.09, Enhanced Offenses and Penalties 
Section 49.09 increases penalties for repeat DWI offenders.  

A second DWI is often a Class A misdemeanor with a minimum of 30 days and up to 1 year in county jail, a fine up to $4,000, and harsher license and ignition interlock requirements.  

A third or subsequent DWI is typically a third degree felony, punishable by 2 to 10 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000. A felony DWI conviction permanently labels you as a felon and creates long term barriers in almost every area of life. 

Texas Penal Code § 49.045, Driving While Intoxicated With Child Passenger 
If a child younger than 15 is alleged to have been in the vehicle, prosecutors often charge under § 49.045. This is a state jail felony with a punishment range of 180 days to 2 years in a state jail facility and a fine up to $10,000. These cases often lead to Child Protective Services involvement, parental custody disputes, and an assumption that you pose a risk to your own children, even if no one was physically harmed. 

These statutes are written to deter impaired driving on Texas roadways. Like most public servants, Brazos County judges and prosecutors are committed to public safety and refer to these laws when issuing punishments and sentences. 

The Severity of Drug Related Driving Charges in Texas 

It’s a mistake to think a Texas DWI is purely an alcohol offense. Texas law treats drug impaired driving just as seriously. Under § 49.01, intoxication can be caused by a controlled substance, a prescription medication, or a mixture of legal and illegal drugs. This includes opioids, benzodiazepines, sleep medications, stimulants, marijuana, and any other substance that allegedly affects normal mental or physical faculties. 

Drug based DWI cases rely on blood tests or the testimony of so called “drug recognition experts”. The science backing these cases is often contested and can lead to more complexity than alcohol based DWIs.  A number of factors can impact drug related DWI’s.  The timing of ingestion, the types of drugs taken, the amount of drugs ingested, and a person’s body type can all vary and affect each driver differently.  Drug related DWI prosecutions are far from an exact science.   

Prescription drugs, even when taken as directed, can impair driving and lead to a DWI charge.  Drugs without a prescription or illegal drugs can trigger separate drug charges like possession or possession with intent and further punishments.  

Lifelong Consequences of a Texas DWI Conviction 

It’s a mistake to think you can breeze past a DWI by simply paying the fines, showing up to court, and behaving yourself on probation. Unfortunately, a DWI conviction does a lot more damage than people realize and the long-term ripple effects that follow you long after probation ends.  Avoiding a conviction is the only way to avoid the harsh reality of a Texas DWI. 

Here’s just a few of the ways a DWI conviction can disrupt your life: 

• Leave a permanent criminal record that is difficult or impossible to seal in many cases 
• Cause suspension of your driver’s license and significantly higher insurance costs 
• Jeopardize or limit certain careers, particularly in education, healthcare, law enforcement, commercial driving, and government positions 
• Trigger denials or disciplinary actions from professional licensing boards 
• Disrupt divorce litigation, child custody arrangements, visitation, and family law proceedings 

For college students and young adults, a DWI conviction can mean lost scholarships, eviction from campus housing, or disciplinary hearings. For professionals, a DWI can lead to mandatory reporting to a licensing body, loss of trust from managers, or risk losing a new job opportunity or promotion from a background check. 

These are more than temporary inconveniences. They are life-changing consequences. This is why having an experienced DWI defense attorney like Andrea M. Kolski is essential to your defense. Andrea and her team at Nonstopjustice PLLC are dedicated to protecting your record, your profession, and your family years down the road. 

What To Expect With a DWI Defense 

No two DWI cases are the same. With her 25 years of law practice experience, Andrea approaches each case with a deep understanding of how courts and prosecutors operate. First, she knows what to look for in a traffic stop, proper field sobriety testing, and where officers can get the law or the science wrong. 

Andrea will often start by questioning the legality of the initial stop, whether there was a valid reason to pull you over, and whether probable cause for an arrest actually existed. She and her team will carefully review any dash cam and body cam video to compare what really happened against what appears in the officers report. Andrea knows how to evaluate field sobriety testing to see whether the instructions, conditions, and interpretation complied with legal standards. 

When breath tests or blood draws are involved, Andrea will scrutinize the maintenance and calibration records of the machines, the training and certifications of the operators, and the chain of custody for any sample taken. Andrea has a wide network of respected experts in toxicology capable of challenging the reliability of the state’s scientific findings if necessary. In drug-based DWI cases, it’s likely Andrea will carefully examine dosage, timing, and medical conditions that could undermine the officer’s conclusions about driver impairment. 

Andrea has won countless DWI cases over her 25 year career and her commitment to winning is second to none.  Few DWI attorneys have the skill and experience to uncover weaknesses in the state’s case and strategically use that insight to secure dismissals or more favorable negotiations.  

A Reputation For Winning 

Andrea M. Kolski brings over 25 years of criminal law experience to the defense of her clients. As a former Harris County prosecutor, she learned from the inside how cases are built, how police investigations unfold, and the methods prosecutors use to evaluate evidence and pursue convictions. That unique insight is powerful when anticipating the moves of the state and building a strong defense. 

Many DWI attorneys talk a big game, but Andrea’s 25 year track record speaks for itself. Andrea has earned her reputation as a “pitbull in the courtroom” in some of the toughest courts in Texas. Admired by her peers, Andrea was elected President of the Montgomery County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, a role that speaks to the respect she has earned within the criminal defense community. She has been awarded with numerous Top 100 Texas and National honors that highlight her skill, professionalism, and outstanding work in criminal defense. 

As a former prosecutor, Andrea is always prepared, unafraid of trial, and willing to challenge the state at every stage. Andrea’s strong reputation can influence negotiations, plea offers, and how seriously the prosecution takes your case. 

While Andrea never backs away from a legal fight, she sympathizes with clients and their families during this difficult time.  Andrea’s clients describe her as accessible, honest, and deeply committed to their well-being. She understands the worry and uncertainty that accompany any criminal case and takes time to explain your legal situation, what to expect, and the potential defense strategies for your case. Transparency and communication are what clients appreciate from Andrea and the team at Nonstopjustice PLLC. 

Call Brazos Most Trusted DWI Lawyer 

If you’re facing DWI, drug related driving, or criminal charges in Brazos County, time is not on your side. Administrative deadlines arrive quickly and valuable evidence can be lost if you wait too long.  

Andrea’s and the team at Nonstopjustice PLLC realize that early intervention makes a real difference. The sooner a skilled DWI attorney is involved, the sooner they can protect your rights, secure evidence, demand discovery, and begin carefully reviewing every detail of your case.  

Andrea M. Kolski combines 25 years of trial experience with a reputation for toughness and integrity that carries real weight in the courtroom. Andrea’s unwavering defense of the accused isn’t just a slogan, it’s the central principle that has guided her legal career. 

Don’t wait. Get Brazos County’s most trusted and experienced DWI lawyer fighting for you!  

Contact us today.