San Antonio councilwoman charged with DWI will keep her license

District 8 Councilwoman Ivalis Meza Gonzalez is expected to enter a plea in the case next month. Credit: Facebook / Councilwoman Ivalis Meza Gonzalez, San Antonio City Council District 8

In yet another unusual twist in her DWI case, District 8 Councilwoman Ivalis Meza Gonzalez will be able to keep her driver’s license — at least, for now.

Usually, the Texas Department of Public Safety suspends a person’s license for 180 days if they’re pulled over on suspicion of DWI and refuse to take a breath test or have their blood drawn.

Meza Gonzales refused a breath test when she was pulled over in July and was slated to have her license suspended. However, she will be allowed to get behind the wheel because the arresting San Antonio Police Department officer, M. Quiroga, didn’t show up for the virtual hearing, the Express-News reports.

Due to the officer’s absence, Administrative Law Judge Meitra Farhadi dismissed the case, according to the daily.

Even so, Meza Gonzalez still could have her license suspended depending on the outcome of her criminal case, which is tried separately. She’s expected to enter a plea in that case next month.

The missing SAPD officer is just the latest turn in Meza Gonzalez’s case, which has been reset several times due to recusals.

Both Bexar County District Attorney Joe Gonzales and Bexar County Court 9 Judge Gliria Saldaña recused themselves from the case, citing conflicts of interest.

During her court hearing earlier this week, Meza Gonzalez was given yet another 30-day extension to enter a plea deal.

During that hearing, MySA reported that the councilwoman was allowed into the courtroom to find a seat, while the other defendants were corralled in the hallways behind a locked door leading into the courtroom.

Stay tuned.

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San Antonio councilwoman charged with DWI will keep her license

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