Administrative License Suspension (ALR) Hearing

Assuming the license holder makes the request for a hearing within the statutory period, a hearing is scheduled. In Texas, the hearing takes place in court before a judge. The procedures for the administrative hearings don’t vary much. The hearing will be presided over by an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), and the state’s case will be presented by a prosecutor representing Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). Usually the officer will be required to testify, if he/she has been properly subpoenaed. Usually within a short period of time after the hearing, the ALJ will make a ruling to suspend or not suspend the person’s driver’s license.

Again, the ALR program is the administrative process by which the Texas Department of Public Safety suspends the driver licenses of individuals who are arrested for the offense of Driving While Intoxicated (DWI). Texas Transportation Code Chapters 524 and 724 provide that an individual who has been served notice for refusing or failing a chemical test will be automatically suspended unless the individual requests a hearing in a timely manner.