JAMIE BALAGIA - THE DWI DUDE
- DWI TRIAL ATTORNEY
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 analysis 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.


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.

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 trials 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. 

If you need Jerry's assistance please click here jerry@dwidude.com.

GARY THOMAS

-CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY

Gary Thomas's experience in criminal and constitutional law places him in an elite group of lawyers in Central Texas.  Gary obtained his undergraduate degree at the University of Texas (at Austin) and obtained his law degree at the University of Texas School of Law in Austin. In 1977, Gary became the first Executive Director of East Texas Legal Services (now Lone Star Legal Aid).  Following his five-years in East Texas, Gary ran his own law firm in Red Lodge, Montana.  Gary came to specialize in constitutional and criminal law, particularly DWI law. Gary had represented clients in over 1,500 DWI cases while also prosecuting another 1,500 plus DWI cases as the lawyer for his town of Red Lodge, "Eastern Montana's number one party town."  He also has close to thirty cases that have been published in casebooks, from the Supreme Courts of South Dakota and Montana and the Federal trial and appellate courts in those states as well.  Gary took at least eleven DWI cases to the Montana Supreme Court. His cases resulted in the so-called Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (eye) test being declared inadmissible in all Montana courts and the so-called "Standardized Field Sobriety Tests" being declared a Fourth Amendment search, requiring a reasonable suspicion of drinking and driving before the police could request them, and his cases clarified that these "field tests" could be requested by the police, but that they had no authority to demand a motorist take them.  One of his cases created a new cause of action in Montana, for violations of the Montana State Constitution, so people can now sue the government in Montana if any of its agents violates their rights under Montana's Constitution.  Gary estimates that, as a prosecutor and as a defense lawyer, he has taken over 500 DWI cases to jury trial, with a success rate of approximately 75% over a career span of 35 years. Gary was considered one of the top three or four constitutional lawyers in the State, as well as one of the top DWI lawyers in Montana.  He has published legal articles on constitutional rights and has taught many classes for other lawyers on DWI cases.  He is licensed to practice in all courts in South Dakota, Montana and Texas, as well as most of the United States District Courts in those states, and also in the United States Courts of Appeal for the Fifth, Eighth, Ninth and Eleventh Circuits, the United States Court of Claims, and the United States Supreme Court.  He is a member of the National College for DUI/DWI Defense, Inc. The appellate decisions Gary has thus far obtained have been cited as authority in no less than 1,200 cases, law books, legal journals and legal articles, particularly in the constitutional law area known as "due process."  His cases have resulted in laws in several jurisdictions being declared unconstitutional for violating the due process clause in the Federal Constitution and the constitutions of South Dakota and Montana. 

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.

Click here to fill out the FREE DWI Consultation Form.