A DWI arrest or conviction can wreak havoc on your personal, social, and professional life. Limit the damage to your community life, family life, and career with the help of a local lawyer. In addition to the personal and professional damage to your reputation, you could also face criminal penalties and fines.
When you are facing DWI charges related to marijuana use, a Garland DWI marijuana lawyer can help limit the damage and safeguard your future. Contact the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg today by calling (214) 696-9253. One of our team members will help you get started protecting your good name today.
A DWI Conviction Can Put Your Future At Risk
You can be arrested for a DWI in Texas if your driving is judged to be impaired by the use of any drug, including marijuana. According to Texas Penal Code § 49.04, a DWI marijuana conviction can put your immediate personal, financial, and social future at risk by depriving you of driving privileges, putting you at risk of serving time in jail, and forcing you to pay substantial financial penalties.
Criminal Penalties of DWI Marijuana Conviction
The Texas Department of Transportation (DOT) makes no distinction between the criminal penalties for DWIs stemming from alcohol intoxication or from drug use. Criminal and financial penalties vary only according to the offense:
- A first DWI offense could mean the loss of your license for a year, up to 6 months of jail time, and a fine of up to $2,000.
- A second DWI offense could mean the loss of your license for 2 years, up to a year of jail time, and a fine of up to $4,000.
- A third DWI offense could mean the loss of your license for 2 years, up to 10 years of prison (not jail) time, and a fine of up to $10,000.
These criminal penalties can take a severe toll on your ability to support yourself and your family. They can also make it difficult to maintain employment. A lawyer in Garland can help you avoid many of these negative outcomes and give you the chance for a new start.
Professional Penalties of DWI Marijuana Conviction
In addition to the consequences for your immediate future, a DWI marijuana charge can have far-reaching repercussions as well. It can limit your ability to enter many professions—particularly if your chosen profession involves driving. You may be prohibited from driving for local delivery companies, local rideshare companies, and city and school bus companies.
A blemish on your driving record can also prohibit you from professional long-distance driving that requires having or maintaining a commercial driver’s license (CDL).
Stay Quiet After Your Arrest Until You Have a Lawyer
When you are arrested for suspicion of DWI marijuana, there are actions you should take. A critically important first factor is to remain silent until your lawyer is by your side to advise you. Do not answer any questions or admit fault or guilt in any degree. Request a Garland DWI marijuana attorney and avoid speaking to the police at any time prior to the arrival of your lawyer.
The Benefits of Hiring a Garland DWI Marijuana Lawyer
When you are facing charges of any kind in Garland, a local lawyer can help you make the most of a troubling situation and possibly emerge with your freedom intact and with fewer negative consequences.
Randall Isenberg has more than 30 years of legal experience in his career as both a former prosecutor, state district judge, and criminal defense lawyer. Call the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg at (214) 696-9253. When you trust your DWI marijuana case to the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg we will:
Ensure Your Rights Are Honored
When you are arrested, you must be read your rights in full and in a language you understand. In keeping with your rights, you do not have to speak to police or submit to questioning without a lawyer present. If your rights are violated in any way, your arrest might not be fully valid.
Question Testing Methods
The methods of testing for the presence of marijuana in your blood or urine can meet with human error or testing errors. We will fight to ensure the methods used to prove the presence of marijuana in your system at the time of your arrest were inaccurate or flawed. We can also challenge any field sobriety test used to make this same determination.
Negotiate a Plea on Your Behalf
With a lawyer by your side, you might be able to negotiate a plea bargain that will lower the severity of the charges against you. With less severe criminal charges come lesser penalties and smaller fines. A plea bargain has the added benefit of lessening the time you spend in court.
Factors That Can Increase Criminal Penalties for DWI
Generally, a DWI marijuana offense in Garland is a Class B misdemeanor. Certain aspects of your circumstances before your arrest can increase the severity of the charges against you.
- If anyone is seriously injured during a DWI, the charges against you can be elevated from a misdemeanor to a felony.
- If you were involved in an accident, you will never be able to have your record sealed if convicted.
- Even for DWI marijuana charges, an open container of alcohol in your car elevates your charges from a Class B to a Class A misdemeanor.
A lawyer can help lessen the possibility of having charges against you escalated and of having a permanent criminal record.
Defend Yourself Against DWI Marijuana Charges with the Help of a Garland DWI Marijuana Lawyer
An arrest does not have to lead to conviction and a conviction does not have to shatter your life and the lives of your family members. When you are faced with arrest for DWI marijuana with the potential for conviction, call the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg. Speak to a member of our team as soon after your arrest as possible by calling (214) 696-9253.
