If you have been arrested for driving while intoxicated (DWI) in Coppell, Texas, it may not be too late to avoid the consequences of a DWI conviction. A Coppell DWI lawyer from the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg may be able to defend you from these charges and make sure you are treated fairly by the criminal justice system.
Call the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg today at (214) 696-9253 to learn more about our services in free case evaluation from a member of our team.
DWI Convictions Come with Heavy Penalties
If a police officer suspects you are driving while intoxicated, they may pull you over and ask you to take a drug test, no matter how old you are or your actual level of intoxication.
The penalties for DWI in Texas may include:
- First offense: up to a $2,000 fine, 3 to 180 days in jail, and up to a 1-year driver license suspension. There is no mandatory minimum jail time for a first offense DWI.
- Second offense: up to a $4,000 fine, 30 days to 1 year in jail, and up to a 2-year driver license suspension. There is a mandatory 3-day minimum of jail time for a second offense DWI.
- Third offense: up to a $10,000 fine, 2 to 10 years in prison, and up to a 2-year driver license suspension.
- Injury accidents: if you receive a DWI as part of a car accident that causes injury, your DWI may be elevated from a misdemeanor to a felony. This type of charge cannot be sealed and may permanently appear on your record.
- Open container: if you have an open container during a DWI arrest, your charges may increase from a Class B misdemeanor to a Class A misdemeanor with jail time.
- High BAC: if you have a BAC of 0.15% or higher, your charges may increase from a Class B misdemeanor to a Class A misdemeanor.
Note that the penalties for DWI and driving under the influence (DUI) are different and that DUI charges are for minors (people under 21 years old) only. However, minors can be charged with DWI in some cases.
If you are facing DWI charges and would like to learn more about how the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg may be able to defend you, call us today at (214) 696-9253. A member of our team can answer your questions and explain our services in a free consultation.
Driving and Alcohol
Why are DWI penalties so severe? One reason is that DWI penalties are part of a multistep plan to reduce drunk driving rates nationwide. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends enforcing DWI laws as a way to stop people from drinking and driving. Other prevention methods include:
- Educating people about the hazards of driving drunk
- Raising the price of alcohol
- The use of sobriety checkpoints
- Working with communities to lower DWI rates
These methods are recommended because of the known risks associated with driving drunk. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that even a small amount of alcohol can affect a person’s ability to drive safely and that a driver’s whose BAC reaches 0.08% may have trouble with:
- Muscle control
- Memory
- Self-control and sound judgment
- Processing visual information
Driving with BAC at or above 0.08% is considered driving while intoxicated in Texas, per Texas Penal Code § 49.04.
Working with the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg on Your Case
When we work together on your case, a Coppell DWI lawyer from the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg may be able to defend your rights in the following ways:
Looking for Signs of Misconduct
Everyone is innocent until proven guilty, and being arrested does not mean you give up your rights to fair treatment and a fair trial.
Properly arresting someone on suspicion of DWI involves many steps. The arresting officer must have a good reason for pulling you over, and they must conduct adequate drug or alcohol testing. If the arresting officer broke any laws or violated your rights in any way, we may be able to get your case thrown out.
Investigating Your Case
We can familiarize ourselves with all aspects of your case, with an eye towards finding ways to get your charges reduced or dismissed. Our investigation may include looking at police reports, talking to witnesses, or reviewing surveillance footage for discrepancies between the police’s story and yours.
Arguing for a Charge Reduction or Dismissal
Dismissal may be the best-case scenario when faced with DWI charges. In cases where we cannot get your case dismissed, we may be able to argue for a reduced charge instead.
Protecting Your Rights
If your case goes to trial, no matter the charges against you, we can do everything we can to protect your rights. This may include making sure all procedural rules are followed and fighting for a “not guilty” verdict.
Addressing Your Concerns
We know that you may be under a lot of stress right now. The Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg can help you to understand the legal system and provide you with legal advice when we work together. We can also keep you updated about any developments in your case.
Call the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg for a Free Case Review
DWI convictions can result in fees, jail time, and other consequences. A Coppell DWI lawyer from the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg can fight to have your charges reduced or dismissed when we represent you.
In his 30-plus-year legal career, Randall B. Isenberg has served as both a Senior Chief Felony Prosecutor and State District Trial Judge. Now, he dedicates his practice to criminal defense.
Call the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg at (214) 696-9253 for a free consultation on your case with a member of our team.
