The penalties you faced for your first drunk driving charge will seem mild when compared to what you face for a second-offense DWI. You can face fines of up to $4,000 and an entire year behind bars. Should you get a third DWI, you will face up to 10 years in prison. A second offense DWI lawyer in Allen from the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg can fight to have your charges reduced or dismissed.
Do not risk your future. Contact us now at 214-696-9253 to see how an Allen DWI lawyer can help you.
You Face Serious Penalties for Second Offense DWI Charge
Prosecutors typically pursue at least a Class A misdemeanor charge for a second offense DWI in Allen. Upon conviction, you will face penalties that include:
- Up to $4,000 in fines
- Up to 1 year in jail
- Up to 2 years’ driver’s license suspension
If you had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.15 or above, or if you had any aggravating circumstances surrounding your drunk driving offense, you could face a third-degree felony DWI charge. Upon conviction, you will face penalties that include:
- Up to $10,000 in fines
- 2 to 10 years in prison
- Up to 2 years’ driver’s license suspension
Aggravating circumstances that could add to the severity of your charges include:
- Having an open container of alcohol
- Having a passenger aged 14 years or younger
- Causing a DWI accident with property damage, injuries, or fatality
In addition to the penalties noted above, you must also pay all court fees and costs and attend a mandatory alcohol safety education course at your expense.
Your second offense DWI conviction may carry additional penalties that include:
- Community supervision (supervised probation)
- Community service
- Court-ordered substance abuse counseling or rehab
- Additional education requirements
The court will likely also require you to install a breath-testing ignition lock on all vehicles that you drive, also at your own cost.
You must pay an annual surcharge of up to $2,000 to restore your driver’s license once your suspension ends. You must pay this fee for a total of three years to keep your license active.
Finally, your permanent criminal record will reflect your second DWI conviction. This will seriously impede your ability to find work, rent a house or apartment, get into college, or get car insurance. It can also disqualify you from holding most professional licenses in Texas.
Let an Allen Second Offense DWI Lawyer Fight for Your Future
For your first drunk driving offense, the prosecutor may have convinced you to enter a guilty plea in exchange for avoiding jail time. Before you consider taking a similar deal this time, talk to a second offense DWI lawyer in Allen to learn more about your options.
The team at the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg understand the importance of fighting these serious charges to keep you out of jail and avoid having another conviction on your record.
Our comprehensive legal services include:
Investigating Your Case
Our legal team will undertake a thorough investigation of your arrest and the circumstances of your case. We obtain information and documentation that will assist us in identifying appropriate legal defense strategies.
Identifying Potential Weaknesses or Problems
We analyze the evidence in your case to identify any mistakes or legal rights violations that could get your wrongfully convicted. This may include issues with BAC testing, failure to advise you of your rights, illegal search and seizure, etc.
Developing Legal Defense Strategies
Based on our investigation, our legal team will identify the best legal defense strategies to use in your case. We will document your case thoroughly and work to obtain the best possible outcome for you.
Negotiating to Get Your Charges Reduced or Dismissed
Although we can prepare your case and defend you in court, our goal is always to get your DWI charges reduced or dismissed entirely.
As a part of our services, we will also represent you at your driver’s license suspension hearing.
How Your Driver’s License Suspension Hearing Can Help Your Case
Just as you did with your first DWI, you have the option of scheduling an Administrative License Revocation (ALR) hearing to fight the suspension of your driver’s license. If you fail to schedule your hearing, the Texas Department of Public Safety (TxDPS) will suspend your license automatically.
Our legal team will:
- Schedule your hearing
- Prepare the strongest possible case to help protect your license
- Appeal your license suspension or
- Make a formal request for an occupational license
The ALR hearing also provides us with several potential advantages in your criminal case, such as:
Obtaining evidence: Our legal team can request all available evidence in advance of your ALR hearing, providing us with the earliest possible glimpse into the strength of the prosecutor’s case.
Compelling testimony: We can subpoena any witnesses to appear at your license suspension hearing.
Questioning witnesses: The license suspension hearing gives us the opportunity to question the arresting officer and other witnesses under oath. This allows us to identify potential weaknesses that we can use to protect your license and to negotiate a better outcome in your criminal case.
So, although the license suspension hearing may seem secondary to the criminal portion of a second offense DWI charge, it actually provides our legal team with potential opportunities to strengthen your case and identify potential defense strategies.
Free Second Offense DWI Consultation in Allen TX
Before you make any decisions about your case, talk to the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg to explore your options. We provide a no-cost, no-obligation consultation and case review, to explain how a second offense DWI lawyer can help.
Get a strong advocate on your side. Criminal defense attorney Randall Isenberg has more than 35 years of experience in the Texas criminal justice system. As a former state court judge and chief felony prosecutor, he brings unique insight to your criminal defense.
Contact us now at 214-696-9253 for help.
