Intoxication assault is a crime, and the fallout afterward can be disastrous. After being accused of intoxication assault, you have the right to an attorney. Getting the right legal help from a qualified attorney can make all the difference in your case. A strong defense and careful review of the evidence can mean reduced charges or fines.
A Euless intoxication assault lawyer from the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg is ready to assist you in building a defense in your intoxication assault case.
What is intoxication assault?
Texas has a strict definition for intoxication assault. You can find the meaning of intoxication assault in penal code title 10, chapter 49, section 49.07. In many cases, intoxication assault is when two distinct things happen:
- You operate any motor vehicle in a public area while drunk. Or you operate any watercraft, aircraft, or other amusement ride while drunk.
- Because of being drunk and acting in this way, you accidentally cause serious bodily injury to another person.
The law further defines serious bodily injury as “injury that creates a substantial risk of death or that causes serious permanent disfigurement or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ.”
For example, let us say that you are drunk and still choose to drive your car home. You end up causing a car accident by colliding with another vehicle. The other driver experiences a spinal cord injury and becomes paralyzed from the waist down. In this case, a court would likely charge you with intoxication assault.
How is intoxication assault worse than driving while intoxicated?
Driving while intoxicated (DWI) is still serious because it increases your risk of hurting yourself and others. It makes the road unsafe for you and those around you. It is also illegal in Texas. You could be arrested for drunk driving even if no one was hurt due to your actions.
Intoxication assault is much more serious because someone experienced a serious injury because of your actions. Often, the penalties you will face because of intoxication assault will be much more severe than the penalties for driving while intoxicated.
What sort of penalties may I face in an intoxication assault case?
Intoxication assault is serious, so the penalties are also steep. In most cases, intoxication assault is a third-degree felony. Texas law lays out specific penalties for this type of felony. If the courts convict you of intoxication assault, you can face between two and ten years in prison. In addition, you may also have to pay up to $10,000.
The exact penalty you will face will depend on your specific circumstances and what happened at the incident. Having a qualified attorney review your case can be beneficial.
What should I do if I am charged with intoxication assault?
In the U.S., you have certain rights if you are arrested and charged with any crime. The Miranda law spells out many of these rights. If you are intoxicated, you may say things that you wouldn’t normally say sober. Statements you make at your arrest can be used by the court to convict you of intoxication assault.
You have the right to remain silent, meaning that you do not have to confess anything to the police during an interrogation.
You also have the right to an attorney. An attorney can advise you about how to best proceed with your case. When in doubt, it is wise not to say anything that may incriminate you until your lawyer has advised you on how to best proceed with your case.
How can an intoxication assault lawyer help me?
An intoxication assault lawyer specializes in handling cases where the courts charge someone with intoxication assault. The exact role of your lawyer will depend on your case specifics. Initially, your lawyer may work to get the charges dropped. If you plead guilty, your lawyer may work to reduce your sentence or other penalties.
If you plead not guilty in your case, your lawyer represents you at your trial. He or she reviews the facts of your case and presents the evidence to the court that supports your plea of not guilty. Throughout your case, your attorney represents you and offers you advice about your legal options and the steps to take that are in your best interests.
Our law firm understands the unique laws that apply to intoxication assault cases in Texas. We will carefully review what happened in your case and examine all the evidence.
The experience of our firm
The Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg specializes in criminal defense, and we have over thirty years of experience helping our clients. We will build your defense and work to get you the best possible outcome in your case.
Your results will depend on the specifics of your case, but we fight for you every step of the way. Here is what one of our clients had to say:
“Randall did an outstanding job on my case. He was very honest and forthcoming with all of the information I would need during the process. He delivered on all of his promises, and made a very uncomfortable situation tolerable. I would highly recommend his services to all of my friends.”
Get started with a free consultation
Our legal team is ready to help you with your intoxication assault case. We start the process with you through your initial consultation. We will review the facts and available data to fight for a fair sentence. We serve our clients all over the state of Texas, including those in the Euless area.
You can contact us today to get started. We are ready to answer your questions and work through your case’s defense.
