In Texas, a DWI for marijuana carries the same penalties as a charge of drunk driving. You could be fined, go to jail, and lose your driver’s license. With a DWI conviction on your permanent criminal record, you may find it difficult to obtain car insurance, find a job, or pass a background check. If you are facing DWI marijuana charges in Frisco, TX, a DWI marijuana lawyer in Frisco can help.
At The Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg, we help clients accused of DWI marijuana move past these charges with the least possible long-term impact on their lives. We can get your charges dropped or reduced to a lesser offense, one carrying significantly more minor penalties. Our team offers a free consultation and case evaluation. To schedule an appointment today, call us at 214-696-9253.
Possible DWI Marijuana Penalties in Frisco, TX
A first-time DWI, whether for marijuana or alcohol, is a Class B misdemeanor in Texas, carrying penalties ranging from fines to jail time. This is the lowest level of criminal charge you could face for a DWI. Any number of aggravating factors, including previous convictions or a minor passenger in your vehicle, could bump the charge up to a Class A misdemeanor or a felony.
Based on the level of your charge, the penalties you may face include:
Class B Misdemeanor
- Up to 6 months in jail
- A fine of up to $2,000
- Driver’s license suspension for up to 1 year
Class A Misdemeanor
- Up to 1 year in jail
- A fine of up to $4,000
- Driver’s license suspension for up to 2 years
Third-Degree Felony
- Up to 10 years in prison
- A fine of up to $10,000
- Driver’s license suspension for up to 2 years
Second-Degree Felony
- Up to 20 years in prison
- A fine of up to $10,000
- Driver’s license suspension for up to 2 years
First-Degree Felony
- Up to 99 years in prison
- Driver’s license suspension for up to 2 years
If you lose your license, you must pay an annual fee of $2,000 for three years to reinstate it. The judge may elect to impose an assortment of additional consequences including community service, drug and alcohol abuse counseling, or the placement of an ignition interlock device on your vehicle.
Having a DWI for marijuana on your criminal record can negatively impact your future in several ways. You could lose out on job opportunities and get denied from living in an apartment or homeowners’ association. You might find it difficult to secure car insurance you can afford, mainly if you are young or have an imperfect driving record on top of your DWI.
A drug conviction, including DWI for marijuana, may make you ineligible for federal student loans and other government benefit programs.
Getting Your License Back After a DWI for Marijuana in Frisco, TX
When you get arrested for DWI for marijuana in Texas, it triggers two separate proceedings that run concurrently. The first is your criminal trial, the potential consequences of which appear above. The second is a civil proceeding known as an Administrative License Revocation (ALR) process. The ALR process determines whether you keep your license.
After a DWI arrest, you must request a formal ALR hearing within 15 days or risk losing your license regardless of the outcome of your criminal case. At your hearing, you can have a lawyer there to represent you and present evidence on your behalf showing why you should not lose your license.
The Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg has fought and won many ALR hearings for clients accused of DWI. We can help you keep your license. For a free consultation and case evaluation, call us at 214-696-9253.
Why You Need a DWI for Marijuana Defense Lawyer in Frisco, TX
Texas has some of the nation’s toughest drug laws. As of 2019, marijuana is still not legal here, even for medicinal use. The state has zero tolerance for driving with drugs in your system, meaning you can face DWI charges if a drug test reveals even a trace amount of marijuana. Because the half-life of marijuana is exceptionally long in humans, you could test positive days or even weeks after your last use of the substance.
If you fail a blood test for marijuana, the officers have the probable cause they need to search your vehicle and your person. If they find marijuana (even in residue form) or paraphernalia, you may also face a separate charge for possession. This can increase your fines and jail time by a substantial margin.
A DWI marijuana lawyer in Frisco, TX from The Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg can comb through the intricacies of your case and put together the strongest, most compelling defense.
Defense Strategies for DWI Marijuana in Frisco, TX
Our DWI defense attorneys have several strategies we can use to get your charges dropped or reduce. Which one we choose depends on the specifics of your case.
Lack of Reasonable Suspicion
We may be able to prove that the arresting officer lacked reasonable suspicion to pull you over in the first place. If so, they did not have grounds to take any of the actions that came after, such as drug testing you. By showing evidence of lack of reasonable suspicion, we can compel the prosecution to drop the charges.
Lack of Probable Cause
Once the officer pulls you over, they must have probable cause to make you submit to drug testing. That is, they must have a tangible reason to believe you are under the influence of marijuana or another intoxicating substance.
Plea Bargaining
If the prosecution has overwhelming evidence against you, we can negotiate a guilty plea to a lesser charge, one carrying more minimal fines and that does not have the same long-term impact on your record. Attorney Randall Isenberg has spent 30 years in the Texas courts, much of that time working as a prosecutor and district judge. He knows how the other side works and how to negotiate with them.
Call 214-696-9253 Today for a Free DWI Marijuana Case Evaluation in Frisco, TX
The Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg and its DWI Marijuana lawyers in Frisco, TX can help you move past your DWI marijuana charges. We offer a free consultation, which you can schedule today by calling our office at 214-696-9253.
