Underage drivers who face DWI charges in Irving, TX, may not always be aware of how serious these charges are or the negative impact they might have. DWI charges are much more serious than DUI charges for young drivers and can carry harsher penalties, fines, and other consequences.
If you or your child is in danger of losing their driver’s license or facing other serious penalties because of a DWI in Irving, we can help. An Irving underage DWI lawyer can help minimize the damage of an arrest or conviction for driving while intoxicated.
Contact the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg by calling for a case review during a confidential consultation with one of our team members.
Understanding the Consequences of an Underage DWI in Irving
The city of Irving and the state of Texas take underage drinking and driving seriously. If police officers stop and arrest you because Irving police believe you are driving under the influence of alcohol, particularly under the legal definitions of intoxication as imposed by Texas Penal Code Section 49.01, the consequences can be harsh.
In Texas, underage drivers can face two distinct charges – DUI and DWI. It is important for underage drivers and their parents to understand the difference between the severity and consequences of these two charges.
The Legal Ramifications of a DUI
It is against the law for drivers under 21 to operate a vehicle after consuming any amount of alcohol at all. DUI is a charge reserved specifically for underage drinking in Texas. A DUI offense is a Class 3 misdemeanor that includes suspension of your driving privileges for 60 days, fines, and community service.
Even as an underage driver, you can be charged with DWI versus DUI, depending on the circumstances of your arrest and at the discretion of the arresting officer.
The Legal Ramifications of a DWI
A DWI is a much more serious offense. For underage drivers, a DWI carries much harsher penalties. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety Driver License Division, underage DWI penalties include:
First Underage DWI Offense (Class B misdemeanor):
- Class B misdemeanor
- $2,000 fine
- Up to 180 days of jail time
- Suspension of driver’s license for 1 year
Second Underage DWI Offense (Class A misdemeanor):
- $4,000 fine
- Up to 1 year of jail time
- Suspension of driver’s license for up to 2 years
Third Underage DWI Offense (third-degree felony):
- Up to a $10,000 fine
- Up to 10 years of prison time
- Suspension of driver’s license for up to 2 years
We Help Parents of Underage Drivers in Irving, TX
If you are the parent or guardian of an underage driver who is facing DWI criminal charges (or if you are an underage driver facing charges), our Irving underage DWI lawyers can help. Call the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg today to speak to a team member today about the severity of the charges your son or daughter is facing and how we can help minimize the damage to the record and to their future.
How Our Firm’s Lawyer in Irving, TX, Fights Underage DWI Charges
Unlike adult drivers who face arrests if their blood alcohol concentration levels are .08% or higher, underage drivers can face DWI charges if they have any detectable amount of alcohol in their system, according to Texas Penal Code Section 106.01.
Because we understand that human error or machine failures can give misleading test results, we check the accuracy of any field test equipment or other machinery used to measure your blood alcohol concentration.
If you are facing the serious consequences of DWI charges as an underage driver, an Irving criminal defense lawyer can help by ensuring every aspect of your arrest was handled correctly. One of the most important things we can do is ensure your arrest met all the necessary legal criteria. We start by ensuring your rights were read to you.
We can also work with the prosecutors to negotiate a plea deal that can reduce the severity of the charges against you. Once the charges against you are reduced, the criminal and financial penalties will be reduced as well. We might also be able to negotiate a plea bargain that allows you to retain your driving privileges or greatly reduce the potential suspension of your driver’s license.
The Aftermath of a DWI Conviction in Irving, TX
We can also review the details of your arrest to ensure the police had a legitimate reason for stopping your car in the first place. We go the extra mile for our clients because we understand the legal and social ramifications of a DWI arrest for underage drivers.
In addition to leaving you with a criminal record as an adult, a DWI conviction can prevent you from attending certain colleges and entering certain careers and can leave a stain on your social life that is difficult to recover from.
We want to help lessen the impact of an error in judgment while also keeping the streets and roads of Irving safe for every driver. When you are ready to fight the DWI charges against you, contact a member of our team to discuss the details of your DWI arrest.
WDWI/DUI Cases Results
Our criminal defense attorneys seek the most favorable outcomes for our clients. Our firm’s founder, Randall B. Isenberg, is a former senior chief felony prosecutor and state district trial judge with 30 years of experience in the criminal justice system. He and his team will do everything they can to build a comprehensive defense for you that could help you avoid months in jail and a criminal conviction in an Irving, TX, alcohol intoxication case. As our firm’s case results show, we were able to get our DWI clients deferred probation or reduce their charges.
Client Testimonials
Read what these former clients say about working with us:
“Mr. Isenberg was very upfront and honest about what to expect in a case for a family member. After meeting with multiple attorneys we felt Mr. Isenberg was the best choice to represent him.” – Kristi Taylor
“My consultation was very professional and informative. The personnel help ease the anxiety and stress that comes with litigation.” – Olden Wagoner
“The best law firm in Dallas by far. Colleen represented me in my case and was so nice to have her there. She explained the every part of the process clearly and answered every question I had. Thank you so much for all your help!” – Richard Trevino
Our Irving DWI Lawyer Can Help Retain Your Driving Privileges
If you are an underage driver facing DWI charges, an Irving underage DWI lawyer can help limit the potential damage of a conviction. If you are the parent of an underage driver facing these charges, we can help you protect your child’s future.
With more than 30 years of experience, including time as a former prosecutor and state district judge, means Randall Isenberg knows how to fight underage DWI charges and minimize the immediate and future damage a conviction can create. Find help fighting DWI charges by calling the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg to speak to one of our team members today.
