As a commercial license holder, if you are charged with committing a drunk driving offense, you could be facing more than just criminal penalties. Driving while intoxicated (DWI) is a serious offense for civilian drivers, so commercial DWIs carry particularly severe consequences.
You can take steps to avoid these penalties by retaining a powerful legal advocate. When you do not know where to turn for help, a commercial DWI lawyer in Sachse, TX at the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg is here for you. You can find out more about what your defense opportunities are during your initial consultation.
What Is a Commercial DWI Under Texas Law?
A commercial DWI is unlike a DWI for someone who holds a regular driver’s license. Commercial DWIs apply to those with a commercial driver’s license (CDL). This is typically someone who operates big rigs, tractor-trailers, or other large commercial trucks.
Commercial Drivers Are Held to Higher Standards
As a commercial driver, because you operate such large vehicles, you are held to a higher standard. Instead of the threshold that applies for regular DL holders (.08 or higher blood alcohol concentration (BAC)), in a commercial DWI case, anyone who holds a CDL and has a BAC of .04% or higher can be charged with a commercial DWI.
Misdemeanor vs. Felony DWI Charges for Commercial Drivers
The higher your BAC levels, the more likely it is you will be charged with a felony as opposed to a misdemeanor DWI charge. Since DWIs are “wobbler offenses,” many factors can determine whether you are charged with a lesser or greater degree offense. Other factors that could determine whether you are charged with a misdemeanor or felony commercial DWI include:
- Whether you have previously been charged with or convicted of a commercial DWI or standard DWI
- Whether a child was in the vehicle at the time of the stop
- Whether anyone suffered severe bodily injury or death
- Your BAC levels were when stopped by police
What Are the Criminal Penalties Of a Commercial DWI Conviction in Sachse, TX?
The penalties you will face if you are found guilty of a commercial DWI in Sachse, TX will be based on whether you are charged with a misdemeanor or a felony and whether there are other aggravating factors present.
If you are convicted of a commercial DWI, you might be ordered to spend time in a Dallas County county jail or Texas state prison, pay thousands of dollars in fines, complete community service hours, attend DWI school, complete a drug or alcohol treatment program, and/or pay restitution to any victims in your case.
Additionally, as a commercial driver’s license holder, you can expect your license to be suspended or revoked for a specific amount of time based on the circumstances of your case. It is not unheard of to see license suspension lasting years or even indefinitely. If you lose your CDL, you may face job insecurity and income loss.
Do Collateral Consequences Apply?
Collateral consequences are also a concern when you are found guilty of a commercial DWI in Sachse, Texas. Some examples of collateral penalties that you could experience include:
- Being passed over for job opportunities
- Deportation or other citizenship issues
- Loss of firearm rights
- Difficulty finding gainful employment
- Trouble finding safe housing
- Child custody issues
- Being disqualified from federal student loan approval
- Having a criminal record follow you for the rest of your life
When to Call a Sachse, TX Commercial DWI Lawyer for Help
Having a commercial DWI lawyer in Sachse, TX on your side could make all the difference in your ability to obtain a favorable outcome. Your lawyer will be responsible for scrutinizing evidence, reviewing police reports, determining whether your stop was lawful, and questioning the accuracy of the Breathalyzer or other blood alcohol concentration tests and results.
If evidence was obtained illegally, our team will work to get it tossed out before your trial via a pretrial motion. We will also be prepared to work with the prosecutor in the hopes of getting your commercial DWI charges reduced to a lesser defense or dropped entirely.
Client Testimonials and Reviews for Our Commercial DWI Lawyers in Sachse, TX
Here are some recent client reviews and testimonials regarding the legal representation of our commercial DWI attorneys in Sachse, TX at the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg:
“Randall B. Isenberg got me an acquittal! I thought at best my charges would be reduced. I never dreamed that I could get an acquittal! Thank you so much for rescuing me from this DUI hell!”
~ Jennie
“My husband was treated like a violent criminal the night he was arrested. My husband was taken to jail after a field sobriety test, and I had to get an Uber with threats of being arrested myself. After I bailed him out, we asked around about the best DWI attorneys in Dallas, and Randall’s name kept coming up. So we went with him. He committed the arresting officer to giving his version of the arrest, and it didn’t match the evidence and couldn’t stand up in court. We were so relieved to have the case thrown out and to put it all behind us. And we’re happy to leave a good review.”
~ Sarah
Get Help from Our Sachse, TX Commercial DWI Attorney Today
You do not need to work with a public defender to clear your name of the DWI allegations against you as a commercial driver’s license holder. Retaining a private criminal defender can help to ensure your defense is given the individual attention it deserves.
Find out more about how you could avoid the severe penalties of a commercial DWI conviction when you contact the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg for a confidential case review. Meet with a commercial DWI lawyer in Sachse, TX, and start rebuilding your life. Fill out our online contact form or call us to start working on your case.
