Police Officer Charged with DWI in Texas
Off duty officer causes scene at restaurant, leading to his arrest over the 4th of July holiday weekend.
Police in McAllen, Texas had to arrest a fellow officer Sunday night for drunk driving. Around 10 pm, Alex Alvarez reportedly was intoxicated and bothering female customers at a Chili's Bar & Grill, and the manager of the restaurant attempted to arrange for a taxi ride. Alvarez refused to wait and at one point grabbed the eyeglasses off the manager's face. Security cameras then captured the 14-year veteran with the McAllen Police Department get in his red pick-up truck and attempt to drive off. He forgot, however, to remove the security device locking his steering wheel and he backed into the manager's parked vehicle.
When officers responded to the scene, Alvarez repeatedly asked them to let him drive home. He initially denied having an altercation with the manager until witnesses recounted the events. At that point Alvarez apologized to the officers for having to arrest one of their own. He refused to submit to a breath test at the police station, and was charged with suspicion of driving while intoxicated in Texas. If found guilty of DWI, he could be fined up to $2,000 and sentenced to jail for up to 180 days.
As a DWI Lawyer in Austin, I find however difficult Officer Alvarez's immediate criminal situation is, his long-term concern if convicted of a DWI in Texas will be the probable loss of his police license. The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards of Education typically suspends an officer's license for 10 years following a conviction for drunk driving.
Alvarez, 39, was arraigned in McAllen Municipal Court on Monday and released on $5,000 bond. He has been suspended without pay until the criminal charges are resolved.
