If you were recently charged with a DWI, you may be feeling uncertain about your future. You shouldn’t have to face the prosecution and the legal system without a legal advocate on your side. While you could choose a public defender, or you could attempt to represent yourself, neither option will give you the resources, time, and individual attention that an attorney from our firm can provide.
At the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg, our lead attorney has spent more than 30 years learning the legal system. As a former prosecutor and state district judge, Mr. Isenberg has an in-depth knowledge of how the state will build its case against you. As a result, he knows how to battle these tactics and build a strong foundation for your defense. Our firm of criminal defense lawyers wants to take the weight and anxiety of criminal charges off of your shoulders as we fight for your freedom and your future.
The Far-Reaching Effects of a DWI Conviction
When most people hear the term driving while intoxicated (DWI), they usually think of drinking and driving. In Texas, a DWI charge can also include driving while you are under the influence of marijuana.
If you are arrested and convicted of a DWI marijuana charge, you could face:
- Financial penalties
- Possible incarceration
- Community implications
- Professional consequences
A drug-related charge has the potential to negatively impact both your personal and professional life. It can also tarnish your reputation in the community and negatively impact your career. Our Richardson DWI marijuana lawyer can help mitigate much of the damage you might face as the result of a DWI marijuana conviction.
If you were arrested and are facing a DWI charge related to marijuana use, do not put off getting the legal help you need.
Facing a DWI Marijuana Charge in Richardson
The recreational use of marijuana in the state of Texas is illegal. If you are found to be driving under the influence of marijuana, you could be facing other charges in addition to a DWI, such as drug possession. Texas Penal Code § 49.01 notes that if your mental capacity is impaired in any way due to “alcohol, a controlled substance, a drug, a dangerous drug, a combination of two or more of those substances, or any other substance into the body,” you could be charged with a DWI.
From the moment you are pulled over to the moment you speak to your lawyer, commit as many details to memory as possible. The way you were stopped, searched, tested, and arrested can all affect the outcome of your case.
Your legal team can help you determine:
- Whether there was an acceptable reason for police to stop your vehicle
- Whether your initial arrest was valid
- Whether your rights were violated when you were arrested
- Whether your test results were accurate
- If a plea agreement can reduce the charges against you
When you are ready to take control of your future and limit the damage a drug-related criminal conviction can impose, a Richardson DWI marijuana lawyer can advocate for you. Speak to one of our team members about the details and circumstances that led to your arrest.
Penalties For Driving While Influenced By Marijuana
If a police officer suspects that you are driving under the influence of marijuana, they can pull your vehicle out of the flow of traffic and ask you to submit to a field sobriety test. According to Texas Transportation Code § 724.11, you are deemed to have given your consent to have your breath or blood tested for alcohol or drugs when you are pulled over.
If the results of your field sobriety test lead to an arrest, you face the possibility of a criminal conviction. If you are convicted of a DWI due to marijuana use, the penalties are the same as those of a DWI due to alcohol intoxication.
According to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), those penalties could include:
Time in Jail
You could face anywhere from three to 180 days in jail for a first-time DWI. A first-time offense does not have a required minimum amount of jail time. You could also face a month to a year in jail, depending on whether this is your first offense. A second offense carries a minimum of 72 hours of jail time if convicted.
A Negative Impact on Your Criminal Record
If a marijuana DWI results in an accident that causes injuries, the charge against you is escalated from a misdemeanor to a felony. Additionally, if a marijuana DWI leads to a car accident, you will never be able to have your record sealed if you are convicted on this charge.
A drug-related conviction can make it difficult to continue higher educational pursuits, sign a lease, or follow your chosen career path. With the guidance and assistance of our criminal defense attorney, you can avoid a conviction and the resulting permanent blemish on your record.
Additional Penalties
Depending on your case, you may face additional penalties such as mandatory community service and driver’s license suspension. Limitations on your driving privileges can affect every other area of your life, including your career.
Furthermore, if there are aggravating factors in your case, you may face steeper penalties. For example, if you:
- Had a minor in the vehicle with you
- Caused an accident
- Injured or killed someone
You could face felony charges.
Your Lawyer Can Ensure Your Rights Are Not Violated
Even when you are arrested on a DWI marijuana charge, you still have rights that must not be violated. Your lawyer will know these rights, explain them to you, and may ask you questions about your legal situation to determine if any of those rights have been violated. A violation of your rights can help support a reduction in the charges against you.
Tell your lawyer as many details of your stop and arrest as you can recall. If you are contacted by law enforcement, asking you to give more information regarding your arrest, do not speak to them without your lawyer present. Your lawyer will advise you on what statements could hurt your case. In some cases, they might instruct you not to answer some questions at all.
You do not have to fight for your rights without help. Our team believes that one mistake should not have the power to negatively impact your entire future. Your lawyer can help make a difficult legal situation easier.
You Can Recover from a DWI Marijuana Charge
An arrest for marijuana intoxication while driving can leave a blemish on your social, personal, and professional life. Yet, you are not alone in your fight to maintain your name and reputation. A Richardson DWI marijuana lawyer can help you deal with the challenges presented by a difficult legal situation.
Our founding partner, Randall B. Isenberg, imparts his knowledge to his legal team when they defend the rights of people facing criminal charges. The associate attorneys also bring their trial experience and successes to benefit the firm’s clients. Overall, the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg is ready and prepared to take on your defense.
Call today for a confidential case evaluation. We want to help you make an informed decision about your drugged driving defense.
