If you are charged with driving while intoxicated (DWI), then you could face a felony or misdemeanor charge, depending on the circumstances surrounding your arrest. Whether you have been arrested or convicted of DWI before or this is your first DWI charge, you could be facing some combination of:
- Jail or prison time
- Fines
- Suspension or revocation of your license
- Secondary consequences stemming from your possible conviction
If you want to learn more about your options for defending yourself from a charge of driving while intoxicated, an Arlington DWI reduction lawyer could be of assistance. Call our team at the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg today at (214) 696-9253 for a free consultation.
A Lawyer Could Provide Several Services
If you have been or anticipate being charged with driving while intoxicated, then a lawyer may be able to assist you in a variety of ways. A lawyer may begin serving you by:
- Conducting a free consultation in which they will collect your account of the events that led to your arrest, as well as any relevant events after your arrest
- Answering any questions you have about the charges against you, as well as any questions you have about defending yourself from those charges
- Collecting and assessing any evidence against you, as well as any evidence that may be in your favor
- Providing an assessment of your case, and advice for an approach that may minimize the harm that could arise from the charges you face
If you choose to move forward in your defense with the assistance of a lawyer, then they may:
- Conduct further investigation to collect any other evidence relevant to your case, including any indications of wrongdoing by the officers who pulled you over or otherwise engaged with you before, during, or after your arrest
- Consult any experts whose testimony could benefit your defense
- Attempt to have your case dismissed
- Speak with the prosecutor in your case to see if any plea offers are available to you
- Advise you on the worthiness of any plea offers that you receive
- If your case goes to trial, argue for a not guilty verdict on your behalf
- Handle all legal responsibilities necessary to complete your defense
- Defend your rights
- Oversee any necessary appeals process
A lawyer may assist you in several aspects as you take on a charge of driving while intoxicated. Considering the possible legal and life consequences that could come from being convicted of a DWI, then you may see the benefit of accepting the assistance of a lawyer.
A DWI Conviction May Impact Virtually Every Aspect of Your Life
The legal consequences of a DWI conviction can deprive you of:
- Freedom
- Finances
- Driver’s license
In addition to these legal punishments, a conviction of DWI may impose a ripple effect of consequences on your life. If your record is available for public viewing – as is generally the case with a DWI conviction – then you may experience:
- Increased insurance rates, especially for automobile insurance
- Difficulty obtaining housing when you are in a competitive marketplace
- Difficulty obtaining forms of financial relief such as business loans and mortgages, which could take your criminal history into account
- Adverse judgements in legal matters, possibly including those in family court, where your reputation and character are a factor
- General harm to your reputation, which could consequently damage your self-esteem and mental health
These consequences may arise from the presence of a DWI conviction on your record, and the specific legal consequences of a DWI conviction may lead directly to the loss of a job, a home, and your freedom. To learn more about how an Arlington DWI reduction lawyer may assist you, call our team at the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg today at (214) 696-9253 for a free consultation.
Possible Legal Consequences of a DWI Conviction
The specific nature of your DWI charge may depend on:
- Whether you have a prior conviction for DWI
- Whether or not you provided a blood or breath sample at the time of your arrest, and the results of any sample you provided
- Specific circumstances of your arrest
For a first-offense conviction of DWI, Texas Statutes 49.04 states that you will be charged with a Class B misdemeanor. If you are convicted of a Class B misdemeanor, The Texas Politics Project outlines your possible sentence, which may include:
- Up to 180 days in jail
- A fine of up to $2,000
In addition to potential jail time and fines, the Texas Department of Public Safety (TxDPS) notes that you could face:
- Suspension of your driver’s license for as long as 2 years
- Mandatory alcohol education courses
- Probation, either in lieu of the above sentence or in addition to jail time and fines
Several circumstances that could apply to your arrest may enhance your charge from a Class B misdemeanor to a more serious category of crime. Some of the circumstances that may increase the seriousness of your charge include:
- Blowing or providing a blood sample that shows you had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .15 or higher at the time of your arrest
- Having a child in your car at the time of your DWI arrest
- Being in a motor vehicle collision, especially if the collision causes bodily injury or death
- Having an open container of alcohol at the time of your arrest
Depending on if any of these potentially-aggravating circumstances are present in your case then you may be facing one of the following:
- Class A misdemeanor
- State jail felony
- Felony in the third degree
- Felony in the second degree
- Felony in the first degree
Depending on the category of crime you have been charged with, you could face:
- Multiple years in state jail
- Significant time in prison
- Fines between $4,000 and $10,000
- Loss of certain rights
- A felony charge on your record, which may persist for a significant period of time or even permanently (if your DWI came as the result of an accident, your record can never be sealed)
Call Our Team at the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg Today
Lead attorney Randall B. Isenberg has more than 30 years of experience as a state district judge, federal prosecutor, and attorney, and will work for you. Call our team at the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg today at (214) 696-9253 to learn how an Arlington DWI reduction lawyer could assist in your defense.
