Texas is a “zero-tolerance” state regarding underage DWI, which carries severe penalties for anyone convicted of this offense. If you’ve been charged with underage DWI in Balch Springs, the consequences of a conviction could affect your life for years to come. However, a Balch Springs underage DWI attorney can help you fight for your rights.
The Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg has proudly been giving Texans the legal representation they deserve in criminal cases for decades. We have an experienced staff of attorneys with in-depth knowledge of the criminal justice system and a passion for defending their clients. Your arrest doesn’t have to mean the end of the world; we can fight for you and force the state to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
Our Underage DWI Attorneys Have Extensive Experience in Criminal Law
Your Balch Springs DWI attorney’s knowledge and experience with the criminal justice system are key factors in helping you avoid the severe consequences of an underage DWI conviction. Our firm’s lead attorney, Randall B. Isenberg, has a wealth of experience in criminal justice. In his 30-plus years working in the criminal justice system, he has served as a state district court judge and a chief felony prosecutor.
Mr. Isenberg also earned a certification in criminal defense from the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. So, when you choose our firm to build your defense, you’re not just getting “a lawyer.” You’re getting a law firm that focuses exclusively on criminal defense and works to generate positive outcomes for its clients. We have the knowledge and experience necessary to positively impact your case.
How Can Our Balch Springs DWI Lawyers Help You?
From the moment we take your case, we will dedicate our energy and experience to giving you the best opportunity of being acquitted, having your case dismissed, or getting your charges reduced. We’ve worked on both sides of the criminal justice process, and we can use that experience to present a strong case for you, while also emphasizing the weak points in the prosecution’s case.
We will take a comprehensive and critical look at the case against you, including the police report, the results of your BAC screening, and any witness testimony we can gather. Through this process, we may uncover mistakes or inaccuracies in the prosecution’s case that will help us build your defense.
We may also be able to use weak points in the prosecution’s case as grounds to negotiate for reduced charges. All it takes is one error or omission to give us sufficient leverage to strike a deal that will allow you to keep your freedom. With that said, if we can’t reach an agreement with the prosecution, our Balch Springs DWI attorneys are also well-versed in planning and executing effective trial strategies.
Our Underage DWI Lawyers Will Fight for Your License
A criminal trial is only one portion of the proceedings related to an underage DWI case. Many people don’t realize that your driver’s license can be suspended regardless of the outcome of your trial. The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), the agency that issues driver’s licenses, also suspends licenses in the event of a DWI arrest.
The suspension process is known as an administrative license review (ALR), and the DPS will notify you in writing of their intent to suspend your license through the ALR process. If you do not request an ALR hearing, your driver’s license will be automatically suspended for whatever length of time the DPS determines (within the sentencing guidelines).
Our underage DWI lawyers in Balch Springs will help you request a hearing and represent you in front of the DPS. We will do everything we can to persuade the DPS that you should be able to keep your license, or at least try to restore your license on a provisional basis that will allow you to go to and from work or school.
What Constitutes Underage DWI in Texas?
According to the Texas Department of Transportation, underage DWI charges apply to drivers under 21 who drive a car, motor vehicle, or watercraft with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level at or above .08.
You can be convicted of a class B misdemeanor offense and face the following penalties:
- A jail sentence between 72 hours and 180 days
- A fine of up to $2,000
- Driver’s license suspension for 90 days to 1 year
A second conviction for underage DWI is a class A misdemeanor and comes with more severe penalties, which include:
- A jail sentence between 30 days and 1 year
- A fine of up to $4,000
- Driver’s license suspension for 180 days to 18 months.
A third or subsequent conviction for underage DWI is a third-degree felony, which carries the following punishments:
- A sentence in a Texas state penitentiary ranging from 2 to 10 years
- A fine of up to $10,000
- Driver’s license suspension for 180 days to 2 years
ow Does This Differ From DUI?
Depending on the circumstances, the officer could choose to arrest you for DUI instead of DWI. DUI is a charge an underage driver faces if they have any amount of alcohol in their system. Penalties include:
- A fine of up to $500
- Driver’s license suspension for 60 days
- Up to 40 hours of community service
- A mandatory alcohol awareness class
tart Working With a Balch Springs Underage DWI Lawyer Today
Time is of the essence if you’ve been arrested for underage DWI. Every day you delay seeking counsel, your trial and the possible suspension of your driver’s license draw closer.
Contact the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg for a free consultation. We’ll give you our best advice on how to get through this difficult time and put it behind you. The sooner you reach out to us, the sooner a Balch Springs underage DWI attorney can start fighting for you.
