Driving while intoxicated is a serious offense in the state of Texas. Consequently, the penalties can be severe.
The Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg offers legal services for clients who have been arrested and charged with a DWI. A Plano first-offense DWI lawyer from our firm may be able to review your case, provide an adequate defense, and help you get the best possible outcome. You may be able to have your charges reduced or dismissed.
Call our law firm today at (214) 696-9253 for a free case assessment with a member of our team.
A First-Offense DWI in Texas
DWI stands for driving while intoxicated. Generally speaking, a DWI charge means that you are too impaired to operate a vehicle. As legislated by Texas Penal Code Title 10 Sec. 49.04, you may be arrested and charged with a DWI if you have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher. However, your BAC does not always indicate that you are too impaired to drive.
According to the Texas Department of Transportation, the penalties for a first-offense DWI may include:
- 3-180-day jail sentence
- A fine of up to $2,000
- Driver’s license suspension for up to 12 months
- Annual fee of up to $2,000 to retain your driver’s license
- Court fees or public defendant fees
In addition, you may also be assigned community service or forced to take a mandatory alcohol addiction treatment program. A DWI may stay on your record indefinitely. If it has been a while since your DWI, your attorney may be able to work with you to have your DWI expunged from your record.
Your Legal Options for a First-Offense DWI Charge
When you are charged with a DWI for the first time, you may not understand your options. Furthermore, the court or the prosecuting attorney may not take the time to fully explain your options, which may include:
- Plead guilty to the DWI charge as is
- Submit a plea bargain
- Plead not guilty and take your case to trial
- Try to have your charges dismissed
A Plano first-offense DWI lawyer from our firm can discuss these options with you when you work with our firm. We may be able to review your case, look at all the facts, and advise you on what course of action to take.
Defending Against Your First DWI Offense
If you feel that you were unjustly accused of a DWI or that law enforcement did not handle your case properly, we can help you defend against the DWI charges. Our law firm may be able to formulate a defense strategy based on the following circumstances:
No Probable Cause
A police officer must have probable cause to stop you for a DWI. If we can demonstrate that there was no probable cause for pulling you over, then we may be able to have your case dismissed.
Faulty Breathalyzer Test
Breathalyzer tests are not always iron-clad proof that you exceed your blood alcohol concentration or that you were too impaired to drive the vehicle. We may be able to review your test to determine if the device was faulty or calibrated incorrectly. We may also discover that the person performing the test was not qualified to do so.
Police or Prosecution Misconduct
If the police officers or the prosecution acted in a way that was unprofessional or inappropriate, then we may be able to petition the court to have our case thrown out or your charges reduced.
To discuss your case with a member of our team, call the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg at (214) 696-9253.
License Suspension Hearing for a First-Offense DWI
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) may conduct a hearing to determine if and how to suspend your driver’s license. If you wish to dispute the suspension or make an appeal, our law firm can represent you during the Administrative License Revocation (ALR) hearing.
Our legal team can argue for your ability to keep your license or question the arresting officer who will be at the hearing. We may be able to appeal any judgment or request that you obtain a special license so that you can drive to work.
The Benefits of a Private DWI Attorney
A Plano first-offense DUI lawyer from the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg can give your case the time and effort it deserves. We provide comprehensive legal services such as:
- Taking over and managing your entire case
- Investigating the charges to establish the facts
- Challenging the prosecutor’s claims
- If necessary, entering a plea bargain
- Working to have your case dismissed or our charges reduced
We work closely with you throughout litigation to ensure that your rights are protected and that you are treated fairly by the Texas justice system. You do not have to accept your charges as is. If we can find another option, we may be able to help defend you against the courts. Call our law office today to get started with your case.
Contact Our Law Firm to Get Started with Your Case
You do not need to face first-offense DWI charges alone. The Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg is here to help you get started with your case. A Plano first-offense DWI lawyer from our firm may be able to represent you and help defend your rights.
Call (214) 696-9253 for a free case assessment with a member of our team.
