If you cause an accident or wreck with injuries while driving drunk, you will face a substantial monetary fine and the potential for an extended jail or prison sentence. If the wreck led to serious injuries or a fatality, you will face felony charges of intoxication assault or intoxication manslaughter. A DWI involving an accident, wreck, or injury lawyer in University Park can defend you against these charges.
Contact the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg today for help. Call 214-696-9253 for a free consultation.
DWI with Accident or Injury Carries Serious Criminal Charges
In University Park, a DWI accident that results in injuries carries felony criminal charges. If the injuries are life-threatening — or if your DWI accident caused a fatality — you will face intoxication assault or intoxication manslaughter charges.
You will face DWI charges if you operate a vehicle in public with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or above. The severity of your charges will increase if you have prior drunk driving convictions or if any aggravating circumstances were involved. Aggravating circumstances include having a minor passenger (age 14 or younger), having an open container, and having a BAC of 0.15 or more.
The basic DWI penalties are as follows:
First Offense
- Jail time up to 180 days
- Fines up to $2,000
- License suspension up to 1 year
Second Offense
- Jail time up to 1 year
- Fines up to $4,000
- License suspension up to 2 years
Third Offense
- Jail or prison time of 2 to 10 years
- Fines up to $10,000
- License suspension up to 2 years
In addition to these penalties, you must pay court costs and fees. To reinstate and maintain your driver’s license, you must pay an annual surcharge for three years, of up to $2,000.
The court may also put you on supervised probation (called community supervision) and impose community service. You must attend an alcohol safety course at your own expense; the judge may also require you to go to rehab or attend additional substance abuse courses. The court will also require you to install a breath testing ignition lock on your car, again at your expense.
You will also have a permanent criminal record which, in most cases, the court will not seal or expunge. This can impede your ability to get a job, rent a house, get into college, or hold a professional license.
DWI Accident with Property Damage
If you caused property damage in a DWI crash, you could face additional charges. Although minor damage typically carries only Class C misdemeanor charges, any significant damage carries more serious criminal charges.
The prosecutor could decide to pursue felony charges including reckless damage or criminal mischief.
DWI Accident with Injury
You can expect to face a minimum of third-degree felony intoxication assault charges if you caused a DWI accident with an injury. If the victim was a first responder in the course of performing their job, you will face second-degree felony charges.
Intoxication assault is punishable as follows:
- Prison sentence of 2 to 10 years
- Fines of up to $10,000
- License suspension up to 2 years
DWI Accident with Fatality
If you caused a drunk driving accident that led to fatal injuries, you will face second-degree felony intoxication manslaughter charges. If the victim was a first responder on the job, you will face first-degree felony charges.
This crime is punishable as follows:
- Prison sentence up to 99 years (life)
- Fines of up to $10,000
- License suspension up to 2 years
Considering the serious nature of these charges and the potential penalties associated with a conviction, talking to a DWI lawyer in University Park can help you determine the best course of action.
The Benefits of Having a DWI Accident or Wreck with Injury Lawyer
If you do not fight the serious charges you face, you could go to prison for decades after a DWI, intoxication assault, or intoxication manslaughter conviction.
Criminal defense attorney Randall Isenberg will put his more than 30 years’ experience to work on your behalf. If you trust our legal team to represent you, we will:
Protect Your Rights
Our legal team will fight any violation of your legal rights to ensure the police and the criminal justice system afford you the justice you are entitled to.
Explain the Potential Penalties You Face
The police and prosecutor may try to convince you to plead guilty without explaining how that can affect your future. We will ensure that you understand the charges against you and what a conviction will mean for your future.
Explore Your Options
You always have options when facing a serious criminal DWI charge. Our team will help you explore your options, so you can make the right choice for your future.
Investigate Your DWI Accident
Our legal team will use our network of resources to investigate your accident, looking for any potential evidence of legal rights violations or errors made by the police.
Challenge BAC Testing
Both breath and blood testing for BAC can produce inaccurate results due to errors and problems with testing procedures and equipment. We will challenge any potential problems on your behalf.
Build a Persuasive Case
To obtain a conviction on felony criminal charges, the prosecution must meet a high burden of proof. We will build the strongest possible case, with the goal of getting the prosecutor to drop or reduce the DWI charges you face.
Fight for Your Future
Our legal team will fight tirelessly for your future, and to ensure that the criminal justice system treats you with the fairness you deserve.
Randall brings his experience as a state court judge and chief felony prosecutor to your case. This in-depth knowledge and insight helps us do everything possible to obtain a favorable outcome in your case.
Free Case Review with a DWI Accident, Wreck, or Injury Lawyer in University Park
To answer your questions and help you make the best choice for you and your future, the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg offers a free consultation and case review to individuals facing DWI, intoxication assault, or intoxication manslaughter charges in University Park.
Call 214-696-9253 for your free consultation.
