Getting arrested for an under-21 DUI in Grand Prairie can change your future for the worst overnight. The potential consequences of an under-21 DUI conviction extend far beyond license suspensions and fines. If you are facing charges, it’s important to act decisively. You have the right to an attorney to fight the charges, but choosing an attorney with experience navigating similar cases is crucial. Our Grand Prairie Under-21 DUI Lawyer can help.

The Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg believe in fighting for the rights of the accused. Being arrested and being convicted are two very different things. Our firm’s lead attorney, Randall B. Isenberg, is a former state district judge and also a former felony prosecutor. He spent more than 30 years learning the criminal justice system from all sides, so he knows how to mount a defense against your under-21 DUI charges.

What Is an Under-21 DUI?

The state of Texas bans minors under the age of twenty-one from consuming alcoholic beverages. That means anytime you’re pulled over and register a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) over 0.0, you will be arrested for an under-21 DUI. An under-21 DUI is a class 3 misdemeanor in Texas. If convicted, you will face the following penalties:

• A fine of up to $500
• 60-day suspension of your driver’s license
• A minimum of 20 hours and a maximum of 40 hours of community service
• Compulsory attendance at alcohol awareness classes

Consequences for Intoxication Are Even More Severe

Although you’re not allowed to have any alcohol in your system at all, the penalties for being with a BAC over .08 are even more severe. In that case, the penalties are as follows:

• A jail sentence between 3 and 180 days
• A fine of up to $2,000
• Suspension of your driver’s license between 90 days and 1 year

Other Potential Consequences of an Under-21 DUI Conviction

The penal measures imposed by the state for an under-21 DUI conviction are just the beginning, not the end of the potential consequences you face. The conviction will reflect poorly on both your professional and personal reputation for as long as it remains on your criminal record.

It may even prevent you from holding certain professional licenses or certifications that will enhance your career. In addition to that, you will certainly be required to pay higher insurance premiums. If you’re unable to afford those elevated premiums, you may find yourself unable to resume driving once your license suspension ends. A Grand Prairie under-21 DUI lawyer from our firm will do all they can to help you avoid these consequences.

How Can a Grand Prairie Under-21 DUI Lawyer Help You?

Just because you have been charged with an under-21 DUI doesn’t automatically mean you’ll be convicted. You have a legal right to challenge every aspect of the evidence against you. A lawyer from our firm will examine this evidence in detail. That examination may include:

• Reviewing the arrest report for inconsistencies, procedural errors, or lack of probable cause to pull you over
• Taking a critical look at the administration of your blood test and making sure the arresting officer followed all the proper procedures in collecting and transferring the evidence
• Looking for video evidence or eye-witness testimony that can challenge the state’s assertion that you were under the influence, consuming alcohol or driving

improperly when you were pulled over

An under-21 DUI lawyer will also advocate for you at every step of the criminal justice process. This includes negotiating directly with the district attorney to get your charges reduced or dismissed. We will also make sure that any necessary legal paperwork (e.g., speedy trial motions) is properly filed.

Our attorneys will answer your questions and make sure you are aware of important hearings or trial dates regarding your case. If we are unable to reach an agreement with the district attorney for reduced charges, we will prepare a strong defense and challenge the evidence presented against you at trial.

Why It Is So Important to Critically Examine the Evidence

Police officers and law enforcement officials are people too. They make mistakes, and if an under-21 DUI lawyer from our firm finds them, it could cast doubt on the entirety of the state’s case. It may also give us leverage to negotiate with the prosecutor for reduced charges or penalties.

Board-Certified Defense for Under-21 DUI Cases

Randall B. Isenberg is not just a former prosecutor and state district court judge. Although this experience has given him valuable knowledge of the inner workings of the criminal justice system, it’s not the limit of his knowledge.

He is board certified in criminal defense by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and is also a member of the National College for DUI Defense. This organization is committed to making sure its members are properly skilled in all aspects of defending their clients against DUI charges.

Under-21 DUI Lawyers with a History of Results

No defense attorney can guarantee you a result in your case. However, an attorney’s track record still matters. The Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg has a long history of achieving solid results for clients in DUI and DWI cases.

Talk to a Grand Prairie Under-21 DUI Lawyer

Getting arrested for an under-21 DUI is a serious predicament. It’s also very scary. If you’re like most people, you have a lot of questions after being arrested. We can and want to help. The Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg wants to help you assert your rights and fight the charges against you. We know the police and prosecutors often try to make you feel like your situation is hopeless. It isn’t.

You do have options. We want to talk to you about your legal avenues and answer any questions you have. That’s why we offer free consultations to all of our prospective clients. Talk to us before you plead guilty to a charge that could haunt you for years down the road.  Call The Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg today. We’re here to fight for you.

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If you are facing intoxication manslaughter charges, you could end up in prison for up to 20 years. However, a charge does not mean a conviction. Get help from an intoxication manslaughter lawyer in Grand Prairie at the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg today: 214-696-9253.

How Does Texas Law Define Intoxication Manslaughter?

The following must be present to merit intoxication manslaughter charges:

• You were driving while intoxicated.
• You caused an accident.
• The accident led to another person’s death.

If the prosecution cannot prove that you were intoxicated and caused an accident, or that the accident caused the other person’s death, it has no case.

The victim can be a pedestrian, bicyclist, or an occupant of your or another vehicle.

What Penalties Might I Face for an Intoxication Manslaughter Charge?

The Texas Penal Code applies the charges of intoxication manslaughter in those cases where a drunk driver’s actions cause a fatality “by accident or mistake.”

This offense carries second-degree felony charges, which come with a fine of up to $10,000 and two to 20 years in prison. You will also lose your driver’s license for up to two years. You must install an ignition interlock device on any vehicle you drive. You must serve up to 1,000 hours of community service and attend a DWI education program.

If any aggravating circumstances apply to your case, you will face more severe charges and penalties. Aggravating circumstances may include:

• A BAC of 0.15 or higher
• Open container
• Minor passenger (14 or younger)
• Prior DWI conviction

If the accident victim was a first responder, such as a law enforcement officer, firefighter, emergency medical technician, etc., you will face first-degree felony charges.

If the accident resulted in multiple fatalities, or a combination of injury and fatality, the prosecutor will likely pursue multiple charges, the penalties for which would be consecutive. In other words, upon conviction for intoxication manslaughter and intoxication assault, you might spend as long as 30 years in prison.

Even if the prosecutor and judge go easy and impose a light sentence, you will still have a permanent criminal record. After conviction on felony charges, you will lose your right to vote, own a gun, sit on a jury, or even obtain a fishing or hunting license. You may be unable to hold a professional license (such as a real estate license or teaching certificate) and potential employers can use your criminal history to deny you a job.

What Defense Strategies Will Your Intoxication Manslaughter Lawyer Use?

When you consult our team, we will explain your potential options. Options typically range from entering a guilty plea, pleading guilty to a lesser charge, and going to court to fight the charges.

Unless you are willing to deal with the penalties associated with a conviction, you likely do not want to plead guilty.

The right approach for your defense strategy will depend on the details and circumstances of your case.

We will begin by analyzing the prosecution’s evidence, with the goal of identifying violations of your legal rights, mishandling of evidence, or other potential problems. Any such issue can help us negotiate to have your charges possibly reduced or dismissed.

If the prosecutor will not consider a lesser charge, we can pursue one of the following legal strategies, or another approach appropriate to your case. Because the prosecution must prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, you should never assume that a guilty verdict is inevitable.

Challenge Legal Impairment: We may attempt to demonstrate that, although you had a positive BAC test result, your intoxication level did not exceed 0.08 at the time of your DWI accident.

Faulty Evidence: If the testing lab or technician did not follow specific guidelines for blood testing and analysis or rules for breath testing, we may attempt to persuade the judge to disallow the evidence.

Challenging Fault: The prosecutor must demonstrate that you caused the accident that led to a fatality; however, if we can challenge your fault for the crash, you could avoid an intoxication manslaughter conviction.

Challenging Cause of Death: To meet the statutory definition of intoxication manslaughter, you must have caused the DWI car accident and the accident must have caused the fatality. The prosecutor may successfully prove that you caused a drunk driving accident but, unless he can also prove that the accident directly resulted in the death, he cannot meet the legal burden of proof.

We may use any one of a number of other strategies to defend you and call upon a network of resources to build your case. We have access to accident reconstruction experts, doctors and other medical professionals, traffic and safety experts, etc., who can provide sworn testimony to dispute the prosecutor’s evidence.

We will work hard to build a persuasive case, to help achieve the best possible outcome for you and your future. We will protect your legal rights, provide counsel, and ensure that you clearly understand all your options.

Schedule a Free Case Review with an Intoxication Manslaughter Lawyer in Grand Prairie

You do not have to face these serious charges alone. You have already experienced a traumatic, life-altering experience from the accident. You obviously want to avoid conviction on DWI manslaughter charges any way possible. But, as you may undergo media and community scrutiny, you need to ensure you have a fair trial and the opportunity to present a defense on your behalf.

Attorney Randall Isenberg can put his more than three decades of experience to work for you. He will work diligently to build a strong case to give you the best possible chance of a positive outcome.

We would like to offer you a free case review, so you can get your questions answered and make an informed choice for your future. Call us today at 214-696-9253 to talk with an intoxication manslaughter attorney in Grand Prairie.

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If you drive drunk and cause an accident that involves serious injuries, you will face intoxication assault charges. This charge not only carries large fines and the suspension of your driver’s license, but you will also go to prison upon conviction — for up to a decade.

Do not try to fight these charges alone. An intoxication assault lawyer in Grand Prairie will work to protect your legal rights and fight for the best possible outcome in your case.

Schedule a free consultation with the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg today: 214-696-9253.

What Merits an Intoxication Assault Charge?

Texas law defines the crime of intoxication assault as causing a serious injury accident while driving drunk or boating while impaired. The statutes define intoxication as testing 0.08 or more for blood alcohol concentration, or BAC. However, the police can arrest you for intoxication based on the officer’s judgment alone.

The injured party could be another driver, pedestrian, bicyclist, or even a passenger in your vehicle. The law does not require the injured party to press charges for you to face charges.

If you are the only party injured, there is no basis for an intoxication assault charge.

What Penalties Might I Face for a Grand Prairie Intoxication Assault Charge?

This offense is a felony of the third degree. In some cases, however, the prosecutor can pursue second-degree felony charges if you have prior convictions or if you injured a police officer, firefighter, or any other first responder while he was on duty.

Upon conviction for a third-degree felony charge, you will spend at least two years — and as long as ten years — in prison. You will also face up to $10,000 in fines and lose your driver’s license for up to two years. The judge may also impose probation, community service hours, and regular drug and alcohol testing once you are out of prison.

For a second-degree felony intoxication assault, you face up to 20 years in prison, $10,000 in fines, and a two-year suspension of your license.

Finally, you will have a permanent criminal record that anyone can access when running a background check on you. This will prevent you from obtaining or holding most types of professional licenses, and it may interfere with getting a job or even renting a home. And, with a felony conviction, you will lose your ability to vote, to own or possess a firearm, or even to hold a hunting or fishing license.

How Can an Intoxication Assault Lawyer Help Me?

Unless you are prepared to go to prison and suffer all the other penalties that accompany an intoxication assault conviction, you will have to fight the charges pending against you.

Ensuring You Understand the Charges Against You

Having an intoxication assault lawyer on your side will help to ensure the protection of your legal rights. Your DWI lawyer will also answer all your questions and ensure that you understand what the charges may mean for your life and your future. By helping you understand your options, your attorney will also help you make informed choices throughout the process.

When you choose the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg to represent you, you will have the peace of mind that your attorney understands the system and knows how the prosecutors build their cases.

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Finding Flaws in the Prosecution’s Case

We can also spot any potential problems with the evidence in your case. For example, if the police violated your legal rights in some way, or if the police or BAC testing personnel made any mistakes with the evidence, your lawyer can use that information to negotiate with the prosecutor.

Flawed evidence can jeopardize the prosecution’s case. Consequently, we may convince the prosecutor to reduce or even dismiss your charges, rather than lose your case in court.

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Challenging the Charges

If the prosecutor is not willing to budge, we will use our experience to build the strongest possible case to defend you in court.

One of the elements of intoxication assault that your lawyer may challenge is the statutory definition of intoxication assault, specifically the definition of “serious bodily injury” necessary to pursue this charge.

The statute describes this type of injury as life-threatening or posing the risk of long-term disability or impairment. If the injured party in your DWI accident does not meet the statutory requirements, we may use this as a negotiating tool with the prosecution, or as a way to establish reasonable doubt in the mind of a jury member.

Another strategy for defending you involves arguing that your actions did not cause the accident in question (being involved in an accident while intoxicated does not mean you caused the accident), or that the accident did not cause the victim’s injuries.

We may challenge the chemical testing evidence the prosecution will rely on to establish your level of intoxication, or make the case that your intoxication level did not meet the statutory minimum of 0.08 at the time of the accident — only at the time the police tested you.

We will base your defense strategies on the specific facts and details of your case. The important thing to keep in mind is that, even with BAC evidence, the prosecution has a high burden of proof to meet — and it is never guaranteed a conviction.

Talk to An Intoxication Assault Lawyer in Grand Prairie Today

When you search for an attorney to help you fight intoxication assault charges, look for someone who has experience with these charges and with the Grand Prairie court system.

Attorney Randall Isenberg brings more than 30 years of experience in the criminal justice field as a judge, prosecutor, and DWI accident lawyer. Consequently, he knows how the prosecution works and how to counter any argument it might make.

The Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg offers free consultations, so you can learn more about your options and get all your questions answered. Contact us today to schedule your appointment: 214-696-9253.

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If you face commercial DWI charges, you face the possibility of stiff fines and jail time. But, more importantly, you run the risk of losing your commercial driver’s license (CDL) and, with it, the ability to earn a living. A first offense commercial DWI will cost you your CDL for a year, while a second conviction will cost you your commercial license permanently.

A commercial DWI lawyer in Grand Prairie can help protect your legal rights and fight for your commercial driving privileges. Contact the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg today at 214-696-9253 to schedule a free consultation.

What Constitutes a Commercial DWI?

In Grand Prairie, commercial drunk driving charges relate to the type of driver’s license you hold, rather than the type of vehicle you drove at the time of your arrest.

In other words, if you have a Texas CDL, you will face commercial drunk driving charges, whether you were driving a passenger vehicle or a commercial vehicle while intoxicated.

The statutes that govern individual drunk driving laws are contained in Chapter 49 of the Texas Penal Code. The additional laws that address commercial DWI come from the Texas Transportation Code (TTC).

Essentially, commercial DWI charges apply if a CDL holder violates either of these statutes. This means either driving a personal vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or above or driving a commercial vehicle with a BAC of 0.04 or above.

You also violate the commercial drunk driving statutes if you drive under the influence of drugs (legal, illegal, or controlled substances).

What Penalties Are Different for a Commercial DWI?

Upon conviction for a commercial DWI, you will face fines and penalties that far exceed those applicable to non-commercial drunk driving charges. The specific charges and penalties that apply depend on what type of vehicle you drove while drunk, your prior criminal record (if applicable), and any aggravating circumstances.

A CDL holder who drives drunk in a personal vehicle will face the typical Class B misdemeanor charges for a first DWI offense. Conviction on a Class B misdemeanor carries a $2,000 fine and as much as six months behind bars.

However, if you had a BAC of 0.15 or above, you will face Class A misdemeanor charges, with a $4,000 fine and up to one year in jail — even for a first offense.

The judge is also likely to require you to perform community service, attend substance abuse counseling, and install ignition interlocks on all your vehicles.

The big difference between a commercial DWI and a regular DWI is that a commercial DWI conviction also carries CDL disqualification penalties.

How Will Commercial DWI Disqualification Penalties Affect You?

The statutes refer to suspension of a CDL as a disqualification because conviction of a commercial DWI disqualifies the license holder from driving a commercial vehicle.

A first offense carries a one-year disqualification period. However, if you transported hazardous materials while intoxicated, you face a three-year disqualification period.

Upon conviction for a second commercial DWI, the statutes dictate a permanent disqualification penalty.

You also face permanent disqualification if you refuse to submit to BAC testing after your first commercial drunk driving conviction.

What Are the BAC Testing Laws for Commercial DWI?

For non-CDL holders, the police must have reasonable suspicion of a violation of the law before making a traffic stop. Officers must then establish probable cause before making an arrest or requesting that the driver undergo BAC testing.

For CDL holders, the laws that dictate when police can request BAC testing are significantly stricter for drivers.

Per regulations enforced by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, law enforcement officers can conduct BAC testing if they suspect in any way that the driver could be intoxicated. Police can also test a CDL holder after any type of accident or simply at random.

You can refuse BAC testing; however, you will face a one-year disqualification the first time you refuse, and a three-year disqualification for any subsequent refusal. You will face a lifetime disqualification if you refuse with 2 commercial DWIs on your record.

It is important to note that these regulations apply to CDL holders at all times, even when you drive a personal vehicle.

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How Can a Commercial DWI Lawyer Help You?

The penalties for a commercial drunk driving conviction are especially harsh but the biggest challenge for CDL holders pertains to their future ability to earn a living.

Although you only face a one-year disqualification for your first offense, your conviction will become part of your permanent criminal record. Consequently, unless you are an independent owner-operator, you may have trouble finding a company that will hire you to drive commercially with a DWI on your record.

Mounting an aggressive defense against drunk driving charges can help protect your livelihood. A commercial DWI lawyer in Grand Prairie can protect your legal rights and help you fight for your future.

We will begin by evaluating the prosecutor’s evidence related to your arrest and BAC testing, in search of any potential errors or violations of your legal rights. Using any such transgression, we can negotiate with the prosecutor to reduce or drop the charges, or even petition the court to dismiss your case.

Failing an acceptable reduction or dismissal of the charges, we can build a case for your defense at trial.

If you already lost your CDL due to a DWI conviction, you can seek the assistance of a criminal defense lawyer to potentially help you get your CDL reinstated.

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Meet with a Commercial DWI Lawyer in Grand Prairie Today at No Cost

Before you make any decisions or attempt to fight drunk driving charges on your own, talk through your case with a commercial DWI lawyer.

Attorney Randall Isenberg will put his 30+ years of experience to work on your case.  He will work tirelessly on your behalf, to build a strong defense and help you achieve the best possible outcome in your case.

Call us today at 214-696-9253 to schedule your no-cost, no-obligation consultation and case review with a commercial DWI lawyer in Grand Prairie.

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In Grand Prairie, operating a boat while intoxicated will get you in as much trouble as driving drunk. The penalties are identical to driving while intoxicated, and include large fines, mandatory jail time, the suspension of your driver’s license, and a black mark on your permanent record. And, should the police arrest you later for either BWI or DWI, your boating while intoxicated conviction will count as a prior offense.

Before you consider pleading guilty or trying to fight these charges on your own, consult with a boating while intoxicated (BWI) lawyer in Grand Prairie to discuss your options. The Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg offers free consultations for clients facing BWI charges in and around Grand Prairie. Call today at 214-696-9253 to schedule an appointment.

What Penalties Might I Face for BWI in Grand Prairie?

Boating while intoxicated is a class B misdemeanor. This offense carries a mandatory jail sentence of 72 hours, and up to six months in the county jail. It also carries a fine of up to $2,000 and a potential 365-day driver’s license suspension.

A second offense will bring class A misdemeanor charges. The penalties for conviction on this charge include a mandatory 30-day jail sentence, and up to one year in county jail. It carries a fine of up to $4,000 and as much as a two-year suspension of your license.

Your third offense will merit third-degree felony charges. A conviction on this charge means that you will spend a minimum of two years in prison — and as long as a decade. You will face a fine of up to $10,000 and a potential two-year suspension of your driver’s license.

In addition, the judge may require you to attend a substance abuse or boating safety program, impose community service, and place you on probation.

If you had any aggravating circumstances associated with your arrests, such as having a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) above 0.149, your potential penalties will increase significantly.

A BWI conviction will also become part of your permanent criminal record, which can make getting a job, professional licensing, college acceptance, or even car insurance impossible.

How Do the Texas Laws Define Boating While Intoxicated?

Other than the type of vehicle involved (watercraft versus motor vehicle), Texas law makes little differentiation between BWI and DWI.

In this context, a watercraft is any type of motorized vessel designed to carry one or more people on the water. The statute includes water skis, jet skis, and aquaplanes. And, although these are not necessarily motorized, the statute also covers any watercraft powered by the wind, such as a sailboat.

Just like drunk driving, the statutory BAC limit for boating while intoxicated is 0.08.

Unlike DWI, which the statutes specify must occur in a public place, BWI is not similarly limited. Also, the statutes do not require the police to establish reasonable suspicion prior to boarding your boat to check for BWI.

As is the case with drunk driving charges, however, the police must establish probable cause to arrest you and request a BAC test. Officers use a form of field sobriety test specifically designed for use on the water. The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) established the procedures and requirements for this testing, specifically known as seated standardized field sobriety testing regulations (SSFSTR).

Finally, just as you could after a DWI arrest, you stand a good chance of losing your driver’s license after a BWI arrest in Grand Prairie.

Will You Face an ALR Hearing for BWI in Grand Prairie?

Upon arrest for BWI in Grand Prairie, the police will seize your Texas driver’s license. The officer will provide you with a form that allows you to drive legally for 15 days, pending the outcome of an Administrative License Revocation (ALR) hearing.

The Texas Department of Public Safety (TxDPS) gives you 15 days from the date of your arrest to schedule your hearing. If you miss this deadline, TxDPS will suspend your license.

At the hearing, the judge can elect to suspend your license even if the court dropped the charges or a jury ultimately acquits you. And, after your license suspension period expires, you must pay a fee of up to $2,000 per year for three years to reinstate your license.

How Can a Grand Prairie BWI Lawyer Help You?

To fight your BWI charges and impending license suspension, get a BWI lawyer in your corner. Your lawyer will defend your rights and fight for the best possible outcome in your case.

We will start by digging into the evidence related to your case to identify any potential violations of your legal rights or mishandling of the evidence. Your BWI lawyer can use any problems or flaws in the prosecution’s case to negotiate a reduction or dropping of the charges.

If the prosecutor will not agree to reduce or drop the charges, your attorney will build the strongest possible case for your defense in court. Your lawyer can also represent you at the DMV hearing, to protect your driver’s license.

Randall B. Isenberg has worked in the criminal justice system for more than 30 years. During that time, he has served clients as a criminal defense attorney and worked as both a state district court judge and chief felony prosecutor.

Consequently, Randall understands how the prosecutors will build their case against you. He will use this unique insight to fight for your future and your freedom, and to protect your driver’s license.

We would like to offer you a free consultation and case review, to answer all your questions and help you make an informed choice. Call us at 214-696-9253 to learn more.

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