A driving while intoxicated (DWI) conviction can have serious, long-term effects on your career, your relationships, your mental health, and much more. It is important to take all possible steps to preserve and exercise your rights.
A DWI lawyer serving Celina, Texas, can make it easier for you to understand your legal rights, make decisions about your case, and build the strongest possible defense against the charges. Our firm is ready to offer such assistance, starting with a complimentary review of your case.
The Attorneys at Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg Can Protect Your Rights
Defending yourself without legal help (“pro se,” in legal terms) can be difficult. The court will not make allowances for your legal inexperience or the emotional strain of facing such serious charges. As such, it may be much easier and less stressful to put your case in the hands of a DWI lawyer who serves Celina.
When representing you, a lawyer from our firm will do everything possible to help you avoid a conviction, including but not limited to:
- Investigating the accident, so they can collect all evidence that may cast doubt on the prosecution’s case
- Seeking a dismissal, so the case against you ends immediately, and you are free to resume your life
- Seeking a reduction, so even if you are convicted, you will not face such heavy penalties
- Preparing your case for court, so they are prepared to discuss evidence, question witnesses, make opening and closing remarks, and more
- Representing you in court, so you do not have to worry about defending yourself or directly confronting the prosecution
We’ll Update You Regularly on the Status of Your Case
The simple act of hiring a lawyer can be reassuring in and of itself―now you have a professional to fight on your side and assume your legal burdens. One of our attorneys will be happy to:
- Explain your rights, so you know what options you have and how each can potentially help you avoid a devastating conviction
- Answer your questions, so you always have someone to turn to when you are uncertain about something
- Provide regular updates, so you always know how your case is going and can make intelligent decisions about the next steps
- Offer a neutral perspective, so your emotional reactions to the charges do not cause you to make inadvisable decisions
A DWI Conviction Comes with Fines and Potential Jail Time
According to the Texas Politics Project, the penalties you face upon conviction can vary widely. The judge will decide what sentence to hand down based on factors such as:
- Your age
- Whether or not this is your first DWI conviction
- Whether or not you were convicted of other alcohol-related crimes
How Past Convictions Can Affect Your Sentence
If this is your first DWI offense, and if you only receive charges of DWI, the penalties you face could include up to:
- A year without your driver’s license
- $2,000 in fines
- 6 months in jail
By the time you face a third conviction, the maximum penalties increase to:
- 2 years without your driver’s license
- $10,000 in fines
- 10 years in prison
How Age Can Affect Your Sentence
If you are a minor, you may be charged with either DUI (driving under the influence) or DWI. In Texas, DUI charges are reserved for minors and carry less stringent penalties than DWIs. Per Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code §106.041, a first DUI conviction is classified as a Class C misdemeanor. It is potentially punishable by:
- 2 months without your driver’s license
- $500 in fines
- No jail time
DUI penalties may also include mandatory community service or alcohol awareness classes. These penalties get more and more burdensome with each subsequent conviction. Minors can also receive charges of DWI instead of DUI if the arresting officer feels it is appropriate.
You Could Lose Your Current Job or Have Difficulty Finding a New One After a DWI Conviction
The penalties discussed above are reason enough to do everything possible to avoid a DWI conviction. However, they are not the only penalties you have to think about. A conviction can also impact you financially in the following ways:
- Imposing court fees: The more prior convictions you have, the more money you may pay in court fees.
- Costing you your job: Not having a driver’s license could make it harder or more expensive to get to work. Furthermore, long stints in jail or prison could prompt an employer to let you go.
- Making job hunting harder: A DWI conviction stays on your record forever if a car accident also occurred, so all prospective employers will be able to see that you were convicted. This may influence whether or not they hire you.
- Restricting your job choices: Having certain types of convictions on your record prevents you from seeking employment with the U.S. government.
Non-Financial Impacts of a DWI Conviction
Even more daunting than the financial consequences of a conviction are the social and emotional effects. Your mental wellbeing could be impacted by:
- Time behind bars: Serving jail or prison time is a challenging experience that could permanently affect your mental health.
- Others’ attitudes towards you: Anyone who knows you were convicted may decide how and if they interact with you based solely on that information.
- The fact that you were convicted: The conviction in and of itself can adversely affect your self-image and self-confidence.
All of the above applies even to those who are unjustly convicted. You may know you are innocent, but the rest of the world will only see the conviction in your record. This is all the more reason why you should take a DWI charge seriously and retain a DWI lawyer to defend you.
Let a DWI Lawyer from Our Team Represent You
Randy Isenberg, the founder of Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg, has over three decades of legal experience as a judge, a prosecutor, and a defense attorney. Our DWI lawyers serve Celina and can help you with all aspects of your case, big and small. We can take your call day or night.
