The DWI Dude Staff

JAMIE BALAGIA - DWI TRIAL ATTORNEY - THE DWI DUDE

Jamie has been in the criminal justice system for over 31 years and has a true passion for defending people’s legal rights! Next to his love for God and his family - he loves his job. Jamie loves a good legal fight and will take on any DWI or other criminal case with the sole goal of victory! Jamie has been able to WIN the so-called “un-winnable” cases, by bringing more experience, training and desire to the courtroom than the State or any other lawyers can bring. He has testified as an expert witness in ALR hearings, and in the Travis County District Court on a Felony DWI case. Jamie has also assisted other attorneys in getting DWI cases reduced due to his analyses of a Police Officer's performance. Jamie truly believes that you shouldn’t have to pay for a DWI or criminal conviction for the rest of your life, but also that you shouldn’t leave your case to a lawyer whose fees are the cheapest or to "empty suit" lawyers who look good but carry no substance. Hire someone who will go head to head with the DWI cops--Call the Dude! His promise to you is to do the best of his ability to clear your name and to help you get back on your feet. We work hard to make your time with our firm as easy as possible. If you need Jamie's assistance, please click here jamie@dwidude.com.



JOHN W. ARMSTRONG, III - CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY - Click Here for John's Resume

John was admitted to practice law in 1989. Before becoming an attorney John worked for the Harris County Sheriff’s Department in various fields. When John left the Sheriff’s Department he was a Lieutenant assigned as Training Coordinator in charge of training in the Academy. John is a Practitioner of DWI Detection & Standardized Field Sobriety Testing in accordance with the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA). He is also a Certified Breath Test Operator and Maintenance Technician of the Intoxilyzer 5000. John was a guest speaker at the following seminars – Galveston County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association June 2002 – DWI Trial Notebook; South Texas College of Law 2002, 2003 and 2004 – Criminal Trial Advocacy Class – Trial Notebook; TDCLA 2nd Annual Top Gun DWI Seminar August 2004 – Open Records Requests and Subpoenas; HCCLA Luncheon Seminar May 2005 – Investigating the Players Without Leaving the Office; and TDCLA 3rd Annual Top Gun DWI Seminar October 2005 – Open Records Requests and Subpoenas. John is a member of the following Professional and Community Associations; State Bar of Texas 1989; College of the State Bar; National College for DUI Defense; Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association; Montgomery County Criminal Lawyers Association. John and his wife Vicky moved from The Woodlands, Texas to join our firm. If you need John's assistance, please click here john@dwidude.com.


WILLIAM R. MITCHELL - CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY

William "Will" moved from San Antonio to Austin to join our firm in July of 2006.  He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science & History from Stephen F. Austin State University and graduated from Saint Mary’s University School of Law in May 2005 where he was a Senior Associate Editor for the St. Mary's Law Journal. Will has worked for two previous law firms before moving to Austin.   Will is currently a member of the National College of DUI Defense, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers' Association, and has attended numerous seminars presented by these organizations.  Prior to becoming a licensed attorney in 2005, Will was an intern for Honorable Judge Fred Biery at the Federal District Court Western District of Texas and was a  legislative assistant in the Texas House of Representatives.  Will handles a good percentage of our Travis County cases and ALR hearings.   If you need Will's assistance, please click here will@dwidude.com.

PHIL STAUFFER - CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY
Click Here for Phil's Resume

Phil recently graduated from St. Mary’s University School of Law. Phil is a member of the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, the San Antonio Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, San Antonio Bar Association, and the American Bar Association. Phil graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of North Texas with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science. Phil traveled abroad, studying international criminal law at the International Criminal Court for the former Yugoslavia in The Hague, Netherlands.  Phil has unique criminal law experience, previously interning with the San Antonio Housing Authority, Bexar County District Attorney’s Office, and Judge Maria Teresa Herr. Prior to entering the legal profession, Phil was a network technician, entrepreneur and served in the United States Navy onboard Nuclear Ballistic Missile Submarines. Phil enjoys photography, editorial writing and cooking in his spare time.

JERRY SMITH - CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY

Gerald E. "Jerry" Smith, born Corpus Christi, Texas, April 28, 1950. Admitted to the Texas Bar November 11, 1979; also admitted to practice before the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, United States District Courts for the Southern, Northern, Eastern and Western Districts of Texas. Has tried both civil and criminal jury trials in the United States District Courts in the Southern and Eastern Districts of Texas as well as numerous felony and misdemeanor jury trial in Travis, Williamson, Hays, Caldwell, Bastrop, Harris, Fort Bend, Dallas, McClennan, Smith, Harrison, Rusk, and Gregg Counties. Preparatory education, Sam Houston State University (B.S. Criminology 1973, legal education, South Texas College of Law (Doctor of Jurisprudence, 1979). Member, State Bar of Texas, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, Austin Criminal Defense Lawyers Association and Williamson County Bar Association.

MEL VILLANUEVA - CHIEF INVESTIGATOR

Melecio "Mel" joined our law firm August 1, 2006 as our Chief Investigator. Mel is a former Austin Police Officer. Mel started as a cop in January 1981 and served with the Austin Police Department for 22 years. While a police officer with the Austin Police Department Mel received the following awards - Mental Health Officer 2002; Master Peace Officer March 2001; Intermediate Peace Officer January 1990; Advance Peace Officer January 1990; Basic Peace Officer January 1982 and Peace Officer License September 1981. Mel has 1910 hours of various training with the Austin Police Department. Mel works on all of our cases as the investigator and also assists Jamie in trial. Mel also meets with clients for the initial client interview. Mel primarily works in our San Antonio office and is in our Manor office once a week. Mel lives in San Antonio with his wife and enjoys spending time with his family and is a member of Cornerstone Church in San Antonio. If you need Mel's assistance, please click here mel@dwidude.com.


STACY MILLARD - OFFICE MANAGER

Stacy has been with our firm since January 1998. She began here as a paralegal to Jamie Balagia and eventually became the Office Manager over the years. Stacy was a paralegal since 1991. She has worked in many different areas of law but enjoys criminal law the best. Stacy has a daughter Brittany who keeps her very busy. Stacy enjoys reading, moves, vacations and spending time with her family. If you have any questions regarding your account please contact Stacy or fill out our online questionnaire. To ask a billing question, please click here Billing Question. If you need Stacy's assistance, please click here stacy@dwidude.com.

ASHLEY NICHOLS - TRIAL PARALEGAL

Ashley has been a Paralegal for over 4 years. She has been in the Criminal Defense field for a little over 3 years. She currently works as Jamie’s DWI specialist and Criminal Defense Paralegal. Ashley received her National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Certification as a Standardized Field Sobriety Test Practitioner in 2004. She renewed her certification in 2005 and completed a refresher course in May of 2006. She also attended an Intoxilyzer 5000 overview course to learn the inner-workings of the breath testing machine. Also, Ashley recently attended the Mastering Scientific Evidence in a DWI Case Seminar put on by Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association where she learned amazing trial techniques to help you in your case! Ashley does a little of everything at the office, from the initial interview with a potential client to assisting in jury selection in certain cases. Ashley is happily married and she and her husband had their first child in 2006. She looks forward to working with you! If you need Ashley's assistance, please click here ashley@dwidude.com.

TERESA SANCHEZ - CRIMINAL PARALEGAL

Teresa has been a Criminal Paralegal since 1997. She is bilingual - Spanish (Espanol) and brings a diversity of experience to our legal staff. She enjoys criminal law the best. She continues to expand her knowledge through Continuing Legal Education Seminars. She comes from a strong military background and enjoyed living aboard and traveling throughout Europe. She enjoys spending time with her son's and grandchildren. Should you need Teresa's assistance, please click here teresa@dwidude.com.

VALERIE DYE - DOCKETING / CASE MANAGER

Valerie retired with 25 years in the Air Force. During her career she had the opportunity to spend a tour working in the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District in San Antonio for five years. She worked as the assistant to the Law Enforcement Coordinating Manager which provided training throughout the State of Texas for Law Enforcement. She also had a tour working with the Ellis County Narcotics Task Force for 2 years. In the Air Force her duties were administration, personnel, logistics, weather observer (Army support), Drug Demand Reduction (drug education and training) and Operation Crackdown (destruction of crack houses throughout the State of Texas). She has spent the last 25 years on the road and is glad to be able to settle down and work for a great attorney. She is a proud Grandma and enjoys reading, yard work and time with friends and family. If you need Valerie's assistance, please click here valerie@dwidude.com.






RAY DELL - RECEPTIONIST

Raydell was born and raised in the small town of Hallettsville, Texas.  She moved to the small town of Manor, Texas in 1972.  She raised three educated young ladies and assisted in the upbringing of her very active granddaughter.  After graduating in 2000 from Southern Career Institute, Raydell was the Operations Manager and Physical Trainer at Ladies Workout Express until early 2007.  Raydell has been with the firm since July of 2007 and is highly respected among the staff and clientele.  She is a very proud parent, devoted nana, dedicated friend and diligent worker that will gladly assist new clients. If you need Raydell’s assistance please email her at raydell@dwidude.com

ANGELA BRADFORD - CRIMINAL PARALEGAL

Angela obtained her Paralegal Certificate through the University of Texas Continuing & Extended Education Program in 2002.  She worked in the criminal law field until 2004 at which point she left to pursue a different area of law.  She has worked for the State of Texas in the area of Administrative Law and for solo practitioners in the area of Civil Litigation.  Angela’s passion for criminal law brought her back to this firm in 2007.  In her spare time, she is a volunteer for a non-profit organization. If I am in trial please contact me at angela@dwidude.com

If you are looking for an exceptionally trained and educated, DWI / DUI attorney to aggressively represent you on your DWI case or any criminal matter, call 512.278.0935 (Austin) or 210-DWI-DUDE (210.394.3833) (San Antonio) or contact my assistant Ashley by e-mail at ashley@dwidude.com.