If you are facing felony driving while intoxication (DWI) charges, the consequences of a conviction could mean years in jail and heavy fines. A charge like this can affect multiple areas of your life, preventing you from working and participating in the same activities you once did. A Lancaster felony DWI lawyer at the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg could help you protect your future.
Our team can investigate your case and build defenses on your behalf. Our managing partner, Randall B. Isenberg, has more than 30 years of experience. He has worked as both a prosecutor and a state district judge. When you work with our firm, we will provide experienced advice on your case.
What Is Felony DWI in Texas?
If you have been charged with driving while intoxicated in the state of Texas, you could be charged with a misdemeanor or a felony.
Although a number of DWI penalties fall at the misdemeanor level, there are several circumstances in which your DWI could be charged as a felony. These include:
- A DWI involving a car accident that caused severe bodily injury
- A DWI involving a car accident that caused a fatality
- A DWI involving a child passenger
- A DWI where the offender has previously been convicted of 2 or more DWIs
If you have been charged with a first-time DWI or a second-time DWI in the state of Texas, you may face misdemeanor charges. If the previously mentioned circumstances describe your case, however, felony DWI charges could apply.
If you are unsure whether you are facing misdemeanor or felony DWI charges, our Lancaster DWI lawyer can help you get to the bottom of your criminal charges. We can offer you client-focused legal representation.
What Are the Penalties for a Lancaster, TX, Felony DWI?
You could face harsh penalties if you are found guilty of felony DWI in Lancaster, TX can vary widely depending on the type of felony DWI you are charged with. There are several charges related to felony DWI that could have an impact on the consequences you could be dealt. These penalties are outlined in TX Penal Code Title 10, Chapter 49. They include:
Intoxication Assault
If you are charged with intoxication assault, meaning you caused severe bodily injury in an accident while driving under the influence, you could face up to 10 years in prison or be ordered to pay fines as high as $10,000.
Intoxication Manslaughter
If you were charged with intoxication manslaughter, meaning you caused the death of another due to DWI, you could pay fines as much as $10,000 and be incarcerated in a state prison for up to 20 years.
DWI With a Child Passenger
If you are charged with a DWI involving a child passenger, or any minor under the age of 15, you could be ordered to pay fines not to exceed $10,000. However, you may also be ordered to spend up to two years in a Texas state prison.
Habitual DWI Offenses
Once you get to a third DWI, you will face felony-level DWI charges. If you are convicted of a third DWI, you could be fined $10,000 and face up to 10 years in a Texas state prison.
Any additional charges could increase the jail time and fines you face for DWI. Our attorney in Lancaster can explain your penalties.
Automatic One-Year License Suspension or Revocation
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, your driver’s license could be suspended or revoked if you are convicted of DWI.
Even as a first-time offender, you may face at least a one-year license suspension. Habitual offenders may find themselves facing extended driver’s license suspension or revocation of their driver’s license.
Collateral Consequences of a Felony DWI in Lancaster, TX
In addition to suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, your fines, and jail time, you may also find your entire life upheaved if you are found guilty of a felony DWI in Lancaster, TX.
You may be required to install an ignition interlock device at your own expense, which will not allow you to start your vehicle until you blow into a breathalyzer, proving you are not intoxicated.
You may also have to deal with the consequences of being placed on probation. This might include having a curfew, finding a job, doing community service, attending group therapy or mental health counseling, completing random drug tests, and meeting with your probation officer regularly.
How to Challenge the Felony DWI Allegations Against You
If you are hoping to avoid the fallout of a conviction for a felony DWI in Lancaster, TX, it is important to consider all of your options. Your felony DWI lawyer at the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg will carefully review the circumstances of your case to determine what kind of defense strategy is needed.
Potential Defenses We Can Use
When we defend your case at trial, there are multiple defenses we could use. Examples of potential defenses used to challenge DWIs in Lancaster, TX include:
- Unlawful stop
- Issues with chemical blood test results
- Police misconduct
- Illegal search and seizure
- You were not driving or in control of a vehicle
- Challenging the legitimacy of the chemical blood test results
- Inaccurate field sobriety test results
When you work with our criminal defense attorneys, we will look at every detail of your case to determine the defense strategy we should use.
Work With Our Felony DWI Lawyer in Lancaster, TX, for Help Today
If you are ready to challenge the DWI allegations against you, you may seek the legal experience and advice of a Lancaster, TX, felony DWI lawyer at the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg.
You can learn more about which defenses are best suited for your case and whether pretrial diversion or other plea agreements are available when you contact our team for a free consultation. Call us today so we can learn about your case.
