Even a first-time drunk driving conviction can significantly affect your life. With a conviction, you could lose your driving privileges, complicating how you travel to and from work. You could also face irreparable damage to your reputation, scarring your standing in the community.
Before you enter a guilty plea, give a statement to the police, or make any other case-related decisions, discuss your options with our Allen DWI lawyers. Our founder, Attorney Randall B. Isenberg, has over 30 years of experience in the Texas criminal justice system. Our attorneys will leverage this experience while combating your first-offense DWI charge in Allen.
You Can Trust the Allen Criminal Defense Lawyers From Our Law Firm
Attorney Randall B. Isenberg’s experience as a former prosecutor and state district judge is a key reason why many clients hire our firm. His insight into judges’ and prosecutors’ thought processes is valuable, and we use those insights to our clients’ benefit.
When you entrust us with your case, you entrust us with your future. You may consider retaining our services because:
- We have successfully defended many clients charged with first-time DWI offenses. Each month, we add tens of successful outcomes to our track record.
- We are familiar with the criminal justice system in Allen. Our relationships allow us to effectively convey our clients’ cases and aim for the best possible outcomes.
- We provide frequent communication and compassionate representation. You should never feel in the dark about your first-offense DWI case. This is your future on the line, and you deserve to know everything involved with crafting your defense.
How an Allen First-Offense DWI Lawyer From Our Firm Can Help You
If you plead guilty at the prosecutor’s urging, you may avoid spending time in jail. This is the carrot the prosecutor usually dangles in front of first-time DWI offenders because it is the one aspect of punishment people fear most.
You may not realize that, even if you avoid jail time, you still face other significant penalties that come with a drunk driving conviction. When you trust a DWI lawyer from the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg, we will:
- Protect your legal rights
- Gather all relevant evidence, including evidence that suggests you’re not guilty of driving while intoxicated
- Review all legal strategies with you
- Recommend a specific course of action based on our experience, knowledge of the prosecutor’s usual tactics, and an assessment of evidence
- Identify potential flaws in the prosecution’s case and determine how to attack those weaknesses
- Negotiate with the prosecutor for a reduction or dismissal of charges
- Advise you whether to fight the case in the legal arena or accept the most favorable plea offer
Not only will our legal team represent you in all court appearances, but we also guide you through the process of retaining your driver’s license. We want you to feel as you did before your arrest––confident and looking forward to your future.
Your First-Offense DWI Lawyer May Employ These Defense Strategies
The Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg will build your defense case based on the details of your case and the available evidence. To secure your freedom, your criminal defense attorney may assert:
There Was No Probable Cause for a Traffic Stop
The police must have probable cause to pull you over on suspicion of driving while intoxicated. Simply seeing you leave a bar and get into your car does not meet this standard. If they did not have reasonable suspicion, we can move to have your case dismissed. The police can’t pull people over, hope to catch them driving while intoxicated, and then arrest them. They need a reason to pull someone over.
The Field Sobriety Test Was Flawed or Inconclusive
Chemical testing for intoxication appears scientific and irrefutable. However, both breath and blood testing can produce false-positive results that could wrongfully send you to jail. Our legal team has many options for challenging breathalyzer and blood test methods and results.
The prosecutor must meet a high burden of proof to obtain a conviction. If we can demonstrate weaknesses in their case, the prosecutor may be willing to negotiate a reduction or dismissal of your charges. If we decide to make your case in court, we can use these factors to introduce reasonable doubt in jurors’ minds.
Our Lawyers Protect You From the Penalties of a First-Time DWI Conviction
Any criminal charge warrants your attention, but a DWI offense is among the most serious Texas prosecutors try. While a police officer or prosecutor may claim that a first-time DWI offense is not serious (perhaps as they try to convince you to plead guilty), make no mistake—you may face jail time, costly fines, and other long-term consequences if convicted.
DWI charges potentially range from Class B misdemeanors to first-degree felonies, depending on the circumstances of your case.
We defend people facing these penalties and charges in Allen:
| Class B Misdemeanor | Up to 6 months in jail | Up to $2,000 in fines |
| Class A Misdemeanor | Up to 1 year in jail | Up to $4,000 in fines |
| Third-Degree Felony | 2 to 10 years in prison | Up to $10,000 in fines |
| Second-Degree Felony | 2 to 20 years in prison | Up to $10,000 in fines |
| First-Degree Felony | 5 to 99 years in prison | Up to $10,000 in fines |
The Prosecutor Considers These Factors When Imposing Penalties
The prosecutor will determine your sentencing based on:
- Whether you submitted to a breath or blood test
- Your blood alcohol concentration level at the time of arrest (if you took a breathalyzer test)
- Whether you were involved in an accident (and whether the accident caused bodily injury)
- Whether a minor was in the vehicle at the time of your arrest
- Other potentially aggravating factors in your case
If you have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 to 0.149, you likely face a Class B misdemeanor for your first offense. If your BAC was 0.15 or above, the charge generally escalates to a Class A misdemeanor.
If you caused an accident while driving drunk, especially if you caused an injury or fatality, you may face third-degree felony charges and potentially additional charges as well. No matter what penalties you face, our legal team stands ready to manage your case.
We Protect You From the Other Penalties of a First Offense DWI Conviction
Other penalties you may face in the wake of a conviction include:
- Paying for court costs
- Community supervision (supervised probation)
- Community service
- Substance abuse treatment or counseling
- Installation of an ignition interlock device in your vehicle
- Probation
A DWI conviction could remain on your record indefinitely, depending on your situation. This can interfere with your ability to get a job, rent a home, obtain or hold a professional license, or get a student loan. With the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg advocating for you, you can breathe easily knowing that we’re doing everything possible to ensure your future.
A First-Offense DWI Can Also Cost You Your Driver’s License
In addition to the penalties noted above, you also stand to lose your driver’s license for up to a year if convicted of a DWI-related criminal offense.
When the police arrest you for drunk driving, they confiscate your driver’s license and issue a temporary driving permit, pending a DMV hearing for license suspension. This hearing, known as the Administrative License Revocation (ALR) hearing, is your prime (and perhaps only) chance to argue against the suspension of your license.
If you fail to schedule a hearing, the Texas Department of Public Safety (TxDPS) suspends your license automatically. Even if you attend the hearing to argue against license suspension, the judge may still elect to suspend your license.
Your criminal defense attorney from our firm will seek to help you avoid a conviction, in doing so, helping you avoid these legal and non-legal penalties.
Get a Free Case Review for a First-Offense DWI in Allen, TX
Before you make any decisions about your case, be sure you understand your options. Our team can discuss your next steps, and there is no obligation to hire our firm after you complete a free case review.
Call the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg today to see how a first-offense DWI lawyer in Allen can help you.
