Facing intoxication manslaughter charges in Mesquite, Texas is a dire situation to find yourself. If found guilty, you could be looking at an extended prison sentence in addition to a five-figure fine and reputational damage. It’s critical to have quality legal representation when the stakes are this high. Our Mesquite intoxication manslaughter lawyer can help.
The Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg is here to fight for you. The state must prove its case against you beyond a reasonable doubt, and you have every right to face your accuser. We are a criminal defense firm that is passionate about defending our clients’ rights and giving them their best chance to succeed at trial. Our firm serves people all over Texas, giving them the representation they deserve.
Board Certified Intoxication Manslaughter Lawyers
When the district attorney marshals all the resources of the state against you, it makes a difference to have an attorney who knows their way around a courtroom and has successfully fought other felony cases. Our firm was founded by Randall B. Isenberg. He earned a certification in criminal law from the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in 1984.
Attorney Isenberg also spent 30 years inside the legal system as a chief felony prosecutor and state district court judge. He is also a member of the National College of DUI Defense, which is an organization of attorneys that stays current on the latest defense techniques for clients facing DWI or DUI charges. This is the kind of invaluable expertise that can make a positive difference in the outcome of your case.
How Can a Mesquite Intoxication Manslaughter Help You?
Establishing reasonable doubt is the key to beating an intoxication manslaughter charge. The lawyers at our firm have experience looking critically at the evidence and finding weak points to exploit. We take a comprehensive approach to criminal defense which includes:
- Looking for witnesses or other evidence that will refute the testimony of the arresting officer
- Reviewing the police report, blood alcohol concentration tests, and physical evidence for errors, miscalculations, or procedural violations
- Creating a trial strategy tailormade to fight your specific case
- Extensive witness preparation
We will advocate for you at every step of the criminal justice process. That includes representing you at the bail hearing and arguing for the lowest bail possible. Prosecutors know that defendants who are in jail before and during the trial are at a disadvantage. If we can get you out, you can continue working and assist our team in crafting your defense.
Negotiating for Reduced Charges and Penalties
The attorneys on our Mesquite intoxication manslaughter team gather evidence that could prove your innocence or expose weaknesses in the state’s case. Police officers are not perfect. Sometimes they make mistakes in asserting probable cause or administering blood tests. If we are able to identify these kinds of errors, it may weaken the state’s case against you.
In situations like this, many prosecutors are open to negotiating for reduced charges and lower penalties. Our intoxication manslaughter lawyers will advocate on your behalf and try to strike a deal that gives you a second chance.
What Are the Penalties for Intoxication Manslaughter?
Being charged with intoxication manslaughter means the state believes you were driving under the influence and this caused an accident that took someone’s life. It is a second-degree felony in Texas. If you’re convicted of this charge, you will face the following penalties:
- A prison term of a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 20 years
- A fine of up to $10,000
- Suspension of your driver’s license for a minimum of 6 months and a maximum of 2 years
In addition to these, the state will require you to pay court costs and other administrative fees associated with your trial. That includes an annual $2,000 fee to reinstate your driving privileges (for a maximum of three years) and the cost of installing an ignition lock/breathalyzer on your vehicle.
It should also be noted that this felony conviction cannot be expunged from your criminal record. That’s another reason our intoxication manslaughter lawyers will fight so hard to negotiate reduced charges in your case. We want to give you the best chance possible to rebuild your life when this process is over.
Enhanced Penalties
The above penalties apply when you’re convicted of having a blood alcohol concentration of .08 and causing an accident that took someone’s life. However, there are aggravating circumstances that may lead to a longer prison sentence. Some of those circumstances include:
- Having been previously convicted of DWI, intoxication assault, or intoxication manslaughter (in Texas or any other state)
- Registering a blood alcohol concentration of .15 or above
- Having a minor child (under 15) or an open alcohol container in your vehicle at the time of the accident
- Causing an accident that claimed the life of a police officer, firefighter, or other first responder acting in the course of their duties
Restoring Your Good Name
The price of a felony conviction like intoxication manslaughter is one you will pay long after you are finished dealing with the criminal justice system. Felony convictions are a stain on your reputation that will complicate your life for years to come. If you hold a professional license of any kind (e.g., real estate agent, attorney, contracting) it is a very strong possibility that a conviction will result in that license being revoked.
Felony convictions will also reflect negatively on you in other aspects of your life. If you’re ever involved in a child custody dispute, your opponent may try to use the conviction as evidence that you are unfit to have custody.
Even jobs that don’t require professional licenses may also run criminal background checks during the application process and refuse to hire you because of your conviction. We don’t want one bad day to haunt you for the rest of your life. We will fight for a second chance at a better future.
Talk to a Mesquite Intoxication Manslaughter Lawyer
Regardless of the circumstances, your right to defend yourself against your charges is a core principle of our legal system. The Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg is committed to helping you assert your right to face your accuser and fight for your freedom.
Our intoxication manslaughter attorneys will fight as hard for you as the district attorney fights for the state. We want the best outcome, and we’ll do whatever we can under the law to achieve it. If you’ve been charged with intoxication manslaughter in Mesquite, contact our office for a free consultation. Call the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg today.
