Sample Report, Real Case, Redacted
This is from a real DWI case. Names, case numbers, and dates have been changed. The questions, communication tools, and action plan are real. Most of what we documented hadn't yet surfaced in the defendant's attorney conversations.
CASE DECODER REPORT
ImNotAnAttorney | Know What They Know.
Prepared for: Sarah M.
Charge(s): DWI, First Offense (Class B Misdemeanor)
Jurisdiction: Harris County, TX
Days Since Arrest: 47
Methodology Note
Every question and framework in this report traces to documented winning methods from elite criminal defense attorneys. Calibrated for DWI defense using published methodology from Lawrence Taylor (DWI suppression), Robert Remar (field sobriety analysis), and Robert Ramsey (BAC forensics).
This is not a grade on your attorney or your case. It's a map of what you know and what you don't know, based on what you shared with us.
| Area | What You Told Us | What to Ask About | Priority Qs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Communication | You said your attorney hasn't returned calls in 3 weeks. Communication gaps happen, sometimes attorneys are working behind the scenes. | “What's been happening with my case since we last spoke?” | → Q1, Q2 |
| Preparation | You mentioned you haven't reviewed any discovery yet. At 47 days since arrest, this is worth asking about. | “Has discovery been requested? When can I review it?” | → Q3, Q7 |
| Strategy | You shared that you don't know the defense strategy yet. Understanding the full picture will help you make informed decisions. | “What's our overall defense strategy, and what are my options?” | → Q4, Q5 |
| Filing Activity | You told us no motions have been filed. That's a common gap, most defendants aren't told about filings proactively. | “Have any motions been filed or considered in my case?” | → Q6, Q8 |
What this tells you: The “What to Ask About” column is the starting point for your next conversation. The questions in Questions for Your Attorney go deeper.
Penalty range: Up to 180 days county jail + $2,000 fine. Driver's license suspension 90 days – 1 year.
These are statutory maximums, not predictions. The questions in this report help you understand the realistic range for YOUR case.
What this means: A DWI first offense in Texas is a Class B misdemeanor. You were stopped, tested, and charged with operating a motor vehicle in a public place while intoxicated. “Intoxicated” means either a BAC of 0.08+ or losing normal use of mental or physical faculties. The prosecution has to prove both that you were driving and that you were intoxicated, those are two separate things, and both are worth asking about.
What the prosecution must prove (elements):
| Element | Plain English | Question for Your Attorney |
|---|---|---|
| Operation of motor vehicle | You were driving or in physical control of the vehicle | “Is there any question about whether I was actually operating the vehicle?” |
| In a public place | On a road, parking lot, or other publicly accessible area | “Where exactly was the stop, does the location matter?” |
| While intoxicated | BAC 0.08+ or loss of normal mental/physical faculties | “What's the basis for the intoxication determination, the breath test, the field sobriety, or both?” |
Something Your Attorney Can Help With
Texas DWI cases trigger a separate administrative license revocation (ALR) hearing, there's a 15-day deadline to request it from arrest. Your attorney may have already handled this. If you're not sure, Q6 gives you the words to ask. There may still be options.
Your report now includes sentencing context from 595,851 federal cases (JUSTFAIR / USSC). This grounds your conversation with real numbers, not guesses.
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Median sentence (DWI 1st) | 3.0 months | JUSTFAIR |
| Range (25th–75th percentile) | 1.0 – 8.0 months | USSC |
| Downward departure rate | 34.2% | USSC |
| Plea rate (district) | 96.1% | BJS |
Why this matters: When your attorney says “most cases like yours end with probation,” you can ask: “The federal data shows a 34.2% downward departure rate in this district, does that apply to my situation?” Data turns vague answers into specific conversations.
Source: JUSTFAIR (QSIDE Institute), 595,851 federal sentencing records, FY2001-2023. Federal courts only.
This is what case-specific research looks like.
Want questions and communication tools built from YOUR case details?
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Copy-paste ready. Personalized from your case details.
Ready-to-Send Email (Preview)
Subject: Case Update Request, Sarah M.
Hi [Attorney Name],
I want to be well-prepared for our next conversation about my DWI case. I have a few questions I'd like to discuss:
I appreciate your work on my behalf and want to make sure I'm doing everything I can on my end.
Thank you,
Sarah
Your full report includes a phone script, follow-up template, and 5-step communication playbook.
Showing 3 of 15 questions from this report. Each is built from actual case details using the 6-part calibrated format.
Q1, GOLDEN QUESTION (if you only ask one, ask this one)
“You mentioned that you haven't heard from your attorney in three weeks. Can you walk me through what's been happening with my case since our last conversation, any filings, discovery requests, or strategy decisions?”
Why it matters: Communication gaps are the #1 frustration defendants report. This question gets you a full status update without sounding confrontational. (evidence audit methodology)
Good answer: Attorney provides specific dates, filed documents, or pending actions, not just “everything's fine.”
If the answer is vague: “I appreciate that, could you give me specific dates or next steps so I can follow along?”
What to listen for: Does the attorney reference specific actions taken? → Document the response in your notes. Send a summary email after the meeting. (Step 1 of Your Advocacy Steps)
Q3, DISCOVERY STATUS
“You told us you haven't seen any discovery yet. Has discovery been requested in my case? If so, when can I review the breathalyzer calibration records, dash cam footage, and officer's report?”
Why it matters: Discovery often contains the strongest defense opportunities. Breathalyzer calibration records and field sobriety video can reveal procedural errors. (evidence analysis framework)
Good answer: Discovery has been requested with a specific date, or attorney explains why it hasn't been requested yet.
If the answer is vague: “Is there a timeline for when I'll be able to see the evidence in my case?”
What to listen for: Specific evidence types mentioned. → Note them. Include in your summary email. (Step 2 of Your Advocacy Steps)
Q5, FIELD SOBRIETY & SUPPRESSION
“You shared that you were asked to do field sobriety tests at the traffic stop. Were the field sobriety tests administered according to NHTSA standards? Is there a basis to challenge any part of the stop or the testing?”
Why it matters: NHTSA-noncompliant field sobriety tests can be challenged and potentially excluded. Even partial noncompliance weakens the prosecution's case. (suppression methodology)
Good answer: Attorney has reviewed the dashcam and can identify specific deviations from protocol.
If the answer is vague: “Would it be worth reviewing the dashcam to check whether the testing followed standard procedure?”
What to listen for: References to specific tests (HGN, walk-and-turn, one-leg stand) and whether they were administered on a level surface. → Document the details. (Step 2 of Your Advocacy Steps)
+ 12 more questions covering breathalyzer calibration, ALR hearing strategy, plea options, officer training records, probable cause for the stop, and case-specific defense opportunities.
If you're feeling overwhelmed, start here:
The pre-written email in Exactly What to Say is built from your case specifics. Copy, paste, send. The questions that follow aren't generic tips, they're the same moves that separate prepared defendants from unprepared ones.
| Day | Action | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Your attorney email is ready to send | Pre-written in Exactly What to Say, copy, paste, send. |
| Day 2 | 5 priority questions are highlighted and numbered | Already in order, review when ready. |
| Day 3 | Follow-up template is ready if needed | Pre-written in Your Advocacy Steps, built for this scenario. |
| Day 4 | Your What to Bring checklist is already in the report | Everything you need for the meeting is on one page. |
| Day 5 | Questions are documented for your meeting | Familiar with them beforehand means sharper follow-ups. |
| Day 6-7 | Meeting Ready Sheet prepared | Everything you need is on one page, questions, checklist, notes space. |
Your full report includes a pre-filled Meeting Ready Sheet with your 5 Priority Questions (Golden Question marked), a What to Bring checklist, and What to Expect guidance for your attorney type.
Every question above came from one case. Imagine what we'll find in yours.
15 questions. Email templates. A 7-day plan. Starting at $197.
Get Your Case Analysis, $197 →If the report doesn't surface questions you hadn't yet considered, one email and we refund. No argument, no retention call.
Other things defendants use at this stage
These work alongside whatever tier you choose. No overlap, no upsell bait — each answers a different question the system won't answer for you.
Arrest Survival Kit
$47· On purchase
The first seven days after arrest are when the most damage gets done — phone calls to the wrong people, social posts, statements that end up in discovery. This kit walks you through exactly what to do, what to stop doing, and what to write down while memory is fresh.
District Court Intelligence
$97· On purchase
Before your attorney walks you through a plea offer, know what actually happens in your district. Judge sentencing patterns, prosecutor plea rates, bench vs. jury divergence — the same data the courtroom regulars already have, compiled into one report for your specific court.
Names, case numbers, and dates have been changed. ImNotAnAttorney provides legal information and research, not legal advice.
