Contact the DWI Dude Office in Manor, TX (Austin)

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.

WILLIAM R. MITCHELL

DWI Trial 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, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and has attended numerous seminars presented by these organizations including Mastering Scientific Evidence in April of 2009.  Will is also a certified practitioner of the Standardized Field Sobriety Tests and a certified technician of the Intoxilyzer 5000EN which is the evidentiary Breath Testing device used in the state of Texas. Will also completed Advanced Training in the Standardized Field Sobriety Tests, Advanced DWI Trial Prep, Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus: Vision Science Perspectives Course. 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 is the attorney our firm has entrusted with the majority of the Travis County cases because of his high success rate in resolving these cases with a favorable outcome for our clients and his success in Jury Trials. Will is also an Instructor in the Paralegal program at Virginia College -- Austin Campus.

If you need Will's assistance, please click here.

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. 

Mr. Smith successfully completed The Breath Alcohol Technician Course in accordance with the Code of Federal Regulations as implemented by the United States Department of Transportation and holds a Certificate of Completion as a Practitioner in Standardized Field Sobriety Testing  pursuant to the National Highway Traffic Administration (NTSHA) and the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP). Jerry also completed Advanced Training in the Standardized Field Sobriety Tests, Advanced DWI Trial Prep, Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus: Vision Science Perspectives Course. He is a member of the National College of DUI Defense Attorneys (NCDD) and the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL). Mr. Smith has attended numerous seminars devoted to DWI defense over the past 15 years, including the 2008  Annual NACDL and NCDD Winning the DUI: Offense, Defense & Special Teams event in Las Vegas, Nevada and the 2009 NCDD Mastering Scientific Evidence Event in New Orleans, Louisiana. He stays current on developments in DWI law and devotes approximately 75% of his time to the defense of citizens charged in such cases.

If you need Jerry's assistance please click here.

Tristan Dau

Criminal Defense Trial Attorney

Tristan graduated from the University of St. Mary's Law School and came to work in our firm in August 2011.  Tristan attained a Bachelor’s Degree in Government & Economics from The University of Texas in Austin. Right after college, he began his career as an Austin Police officer and remained in law enforcement for approximately four years. During his tenure as a police officer, he conducted criminal investigations which led to a significant number of arrests for DWI and drug related incidents. He is certified by the National Highway and Traffic Administration for Standardized Field Sobriety Testing. Tristan is well versed in the policies, procedures and investigation tactics of the police and has received several commendations for his service as a police officer. He remarks, “I was one of them. I got their playbook. I know their strategies.”

In law school, Tristan devoted the last two years to trial practice through national competitions amongst other law schools around the nation. Through these experiences, he has gained practical knowledge on how to draft motions, write and submit legal memos, and negotiate settlements and agreements. His work as an advocate on the mock trial team has been distinguished and his skill at negotiations has received international recognition. His team was ranked third in the world in an international negotiations competition in Poland in the Warsaw Negotiations Round 2011. This is a highly selective competition with applications from universities around the world. St. Mary’s was the only school representing the U.S.

Tristan works out of the San Antonio Office, and can be emailed here!