In Texas, a conviction for murder, assault, or another violent crime can put you behind bars for decades, if not for life.

A criminal defense lawyer in Rockwall can help you fight these serious charges. We can go to work quickly, protecting your legal rights and negotiating to have your charges reduced or dismissed. And, if you must go to trial, we can build a strong case in your defense.

In Rockwall, the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg works hard for the best possible outcome in your case. Contact us today for help: 214-696-9253.

What Are the Texas Penalties for Violent Crimes?

In the Texas Penal Code (TPC), Chapter 12 outlines the nature of the charges, as well as the penalties for violent crimes. To give you a better idea of the penalty range of these crimes, we have detailed the penalties for assault (a minor violent crime) and murder (a major violent crime):

Texas Laws and Penalties for Assault

In Texas, charges for simple assault typically lead to Class A misdemeanor charges. The associated penalties include up to $4,000 in fines and one year in the county jail.

However, if the assault victim was a member of the offender’s family or household, the crime becomes a third-degree felony.

Assault also becomes a third-degree felony if the victim was a first responder, security guard, public employee, or an employee or guardian for the Texas family court.

A third-degree felony conviction means a fine of up to $10,000 and between two and 10 years in prison.

Aggravating circumstances may also elevate the severity of assault charges and penalties to second-degree felony status. A conviction for a second-degree felony charge means a fine as high as $10,000 and between two and 20 years in prison.

Texas Laws and Penalties for Murder

In Texas, murder is a first-degree felony offense. A conviction on first-degree felony charges means a fine of up to $10,000 and between five and 99 years (or life) in prison.

Committing murder for monetary gain (i.e., murder for hire), committing multiple murders, and killing a first responder (e.g., police officer, firefighter, EMT) can lead to capital murder charges, also making you eligible for the death penalty.

How Does Texas Law Define Assault and Murder?

The TPC lays out the details murder and assault charges and penalties in separate sections of the code.

Texas Assault Crimes

Title 5, Chapter 22 – Assaultive Offenses, defines this crime as follows.

• Intentionally or knowingly threatening another person with physical harm;
• Knowingly, recklessly, or intentionally causing another person physical injury; or
• Intentionally or knowingly engaging another person in physical contact the person would find “offensive or provocative.”

The statutes include the following crimes as assaultive offenses:

• Sexual assault
• Aggravated sexual assault
• Aggravated assault
• Child endangerment
• Child abandonment
• Injury to a child
• Injury to a disabled person
• Injury to an elderly person

Texas Murder Crimes

Title 5, Chapter 19 – Criminal Homicide, defines criminal homicide, which includes murder, manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, and capital murder.

Murder includes:

• Knowingly or intentionally causing another person’s death;
• Causing another person’s death during the commission of an act intended to cause physical harm;
• Causing another person’s death during the commission of a felony; or
• Causing another person’s death while fleeing from a felony

How Can a Rockwall Murder and Assault Lawyer Help You?

When facing these serious criminal charges, your priority will be staying out of prison. A murder and assault lawyer in Rockwall at the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg shares that goal and will work diligently for your future and freedom.

We will work to protect your legal rights through every step of the process. This means protecting you from improper actions of the police and bad deals that the prosecution may attempt to push through.

For any serious criminal charge, the prosecution must meet a high burden of proof. This gives us many options and opportunities to exploit weaknesses in the prosecution’s case.

Potential defense strategies that a murder and assault lawyer can use include:

• Illegal or improper handling of the evidence
• Illegal search and seizure
• Self-defense
• The defense of others

All we must do is demonstrate reasonable doubt in some way to open the door for a dismissal of your case or a not-guilty verdict from a jury.

Do I Need a Lawyer if the Prosecutor Has Not Yet Filed Charges?

Yes. As soon as you learn you are under investigation for assault or murder in Rockwall, you need a lawyer. The window of opportunity between learning about an investigation and the filing of charges may be short.

However, if your murder and assault lawyer can get to the prosecutor in time, you may avoid ever facing charges.

The sooner you get us involved, the sooner we can scrutinize the evidence and identify weaknesses in the case. Once we present this evidence to the prosecutor or a judge, the lesser the chances that the state will proceed with your case.

Randall and his team may call on a variety of ballistics or forensics experts, interview witnesses, examine the evidence, and even recreate the crime scene, if necessary, to challenge your involvement.

Even if the prosecutor elects to proceed to trial, the groundwork laid by your attorney will serve as the basis for your defense in court.

Click to contact our Murder and Assault Lawyers today

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Choosing a Murder and Assault Lawyer in Rockwall

To ensure the best possible outcome in your case, you need a lawyer who understands the complexity of the Texas legal system. You need a criminal defense attorney who will use his knowledge and insight for your benefit and fight tirelessly for your future.

Attorney Randall Isenberg has more than three decades of experience as a criminal defense lawyer as well as a state district court judge and chief felony prosecutor. In fact, Randall is board certified in criminal defense by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

The Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg offers complimentary consultations and case reviews, to help you make informed choices about your case. Contact us today to schedule your appointment: 214-696-9253.

Call or text or complete a Free Case Evaluation form

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In Texas, a family or domestic violence conviction can disrupt your life, with large fines, potential jail or prison time, and a permanent criminal record. To protect your future, you need a family and domestic violence lawyer in Rockwall, TX to protect your rights and help you make important decisions about your case.

Attorney Randall Isenberg understands how challenging this experience can be. His experience as a criminal defense lawyer, felony prosecutor, and state district court judge give him the experience and skills you need on your side.

Contact our office for help: 214-696-9253.

How Do the Texas Statutes Define Domestic or Family Violence?

In Texas, the Family Code states that family violence or domestic violence involves threatening to or committing a violent act against any member of your family or household, which includes (but is not necessarily limited to) any of the following:

• Your current spouse
• Your former spouse
• Any relative (blood or in laws)
• Step- or foster parents
• Your child’s co-parent (blood, foster, or step)
• Current and former roommates

Essentially, the statutes encompass people with whom you have, or have ever had, a domestic or familial relationship.

You do not have to inflict any harm to have violated these statutes; the threat to do harm is sufficient for a criminal violation.

Will I Go to Jail for Domestic or Family Violence in Rockwall, Texas?

You could easily land in jail based on an allegation of family or domestic violence.

The severity of the charges you could face depends on the nature of the incident, your prior criminal record, and any injuries suffered by your accuser.

Threatening someone may carry basic misdemeanor charges with fines but no jail time. If you used a weapon (or even threatened to use a weapon), or if your accuser suffered any injuries, the prosecutor may file felony charges. If the victim reported any strangulation, choking, or smothering; if the prosecutor deems the incident to have threatened the victim’s life; or if the incident involved a child, you will likely face serious felony charges.

Based on the specific charges that the prosecutor files, the penalties for conviction are as follows.

Type of Charge	Rockwall Domestic Violence Attorney Near Me (214) 696-9253 Jail/Prison Term	Click to contact our Domestic Violence Lawyers today (214) 696-9253 Monetary Fine
Misdemeanor – Class C	None	up to $500
Misdemeanor – Class A	up to 1 year	up to $4,000
Felony: Third-Degree	2 to 10 years	up to $10,000
Felony: Second-Degree	2 to 20 years	up to $10,000
Felony: First-Degree	5 to 99 years	up to $10,000

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How Else Will a Family Domestic Violence Conviction Affect Me?

Potential fines and jail or prison time are not the only penalties you will suffer for a family domestic violence conviction. The permanent criminal record that follows a conviction will follow you throughout your life, and cannot be sealed or expunged.

This permanent blot on your record can prevent you from holding many types of professional licenses. It can interfere with your ability to get a job or rent a home. It can also cost you dearly in custody cases.

A conviction can also potentially interfere with your ability to live in your own home, if the judge issues a no-contact order for someone who lives with you.

Finally, if your conviction was for a felony offense, you cannot legally own or possess a gun again, or even obtain a hunting or fishing license

Can a Family or Domestic Violence Lawyer Help Me?

The law is not on your side in Rockwall, Texas, if someone accuses you of committing family violence. In fact, unlike almost every other type of crime, the police do not require probable cause to arrest you for domestic violence.

The police can arrest you, even if they have no witnesses or evidence that you committed a crime.

And, even if the alleged victim recants after clearer heads prevail, the prosecutor can (and typically does) continue to pursue serious criminal charges against you.

Depending on the details of the incident, the level of charges and your prior record, fines can go as high as $10,000 and you may go to prison for life, upon conviction. Although those penalties fall at the top of the range, a 10-year prison sentence with a $10,000 fine is not uncommon.

How an domestic violence attorney can do to help you?

Your family and domestic violence attorney in Rockwall, Texas will scrutinize all the evidence in your case, in an attempt to identify potential weaknesses. If the police violated your rights with an illegal search and seizure, for example, your family violence lawyer can use this as a negotiating point. If the police mishandled evidence, if they questioned you before reading you your rights, or if the prosecutor lacks credible evidence, your attorney can use these factors to negotiate for a reduction in charges or a dismissal of your case.

However, if none of these strategies produce the desired result, your lawyer will prepare your case and defend you in court.

Fortunately, the prosecutor’s burden of proof is high. He must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you knowingly and intentionally threatened or harmed the alleged victim.

To challenge those allegations, a family and domestic violence attorney can potentially argue that you acted in self-defense, in defense of your property, or even in defense of another person. Other potential defense strategies include false or exaggerated accusations as well as misunderstanding.

Throughout the entire process, your lawyer will advocate for you and protect your legal rights, ensuring that you understand your options and make the best choices to protect your future.

Meet with a Family/Domestic Violence Lawyer in Rockwall AT NO COST

Do not delay in seeking legal help if you were arrested for or charged with domestic or family violence. The longer you wait, the higher your risk of going to jail or prison.

The Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg offers a free case review with a family and domestic violence lawyer in Rockwall. This allows us to answer all your questions and help you understand your options.

Contact us to schedule your appointment. You can reach us any time at 214-696-9253.

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(214) 696-9253

In Texas, a conviction on drug charges can result in substantial fines, jail or prison time, and a permanent criminal record that will follow you throughout your life.

You need an advocate to protect your legal rights and help you understand your options. A drug crime lawyer in Rockwall will work to help you overcome this pervasive threat to your future.

Call the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg today: 214-696-9253.

What Types of Drugs Are Illegal in Rockwall?

The statutes categorize illegal substances into one of four primary groups, as follows:

Rockwall Drug Crimes Attorney Near Me (214) 696-9253 Penalty Group 2	Click to contact our Drug Crimes Lawyers today (214) 696-9253 Penalty Group 2-A
Hallucinogenic drugs including ecstasy, psilocybin, MDMA, mescaline, PCP, and bath salts Depressant/stimulant compounds, such as amphetamine, methamphetamine salts (Adderall)	Synthetic marijuana (Spice, K2)

Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now (214) 696-9253 Penalty Group 3	Penalty Group 4
Stimulants, depressants, and narcotics, such as Xanax, Klonopin, Ritalin, clonazepam, valium, hydrocodone, barbiturates, human growth hormone (HGH), testosterone and anabolic steroids	Narcotic compounds with nonnarcotic active ingredients, such as opium, codeine, morphine, buprenorphine, and pyrovalerone

What Penalties Might I Face for a Rockwall Drug Crime Conviction?

Although the specific charges and penalties you face will depend on the nature and details of the offense, only one category of Texas drug crime — the Class C misdemeanor — does not carry the possibility of jail or prison time. Otherwise, you could face anywhere between six months and life behind bars and fines as high as $100,000.

These are the potential penalties for conviction of a drug crime in Rockwall.

Below, we detail potential penalties for possession, delivery, and manufacturing.

Drug Possession Penalties

The charges and penalties for Texas drug possession will depend on the quantity and type you had in your possession. If you have prior convictions, you will face enhanced charges and significantly higher penalties.

For example, you will face a misdemeanor charge for possession of 28 grams or less of a substance classified as Group 3 or Group 4. You will face second-degree felony charges if you had between four and 200 grams of a substance from Group 1 or Group 2. You will face a Class B misdemeanor charge for having less than two ounces of marijuana.

Drug Delivery & Manufacturing Penalties

Drug delivery (also known as drug trafficking or dealing) and manufacturing charges carry penalties based on the category and quantity of the drugs. However, both drug manufacturing and trafficking frequently lead to first-degree felony charges. Texas prosecutors typically pursue maximum fines and prison time for these offenses.

In addition to jail time and fines, you must pay all court costs and fees. You may face probation, community service, and required attendance of drug education courses. More concerning, your conviction will remain on your record permanently. This means that anyone who runs a background check — including potential employers and landlords — will see your conviction.

A felony conviction for a drug crime can strip away your civil liberties, including prohibiting you from owning a gun. If you are a student, or plan to go to school, a drug crime conviction may prohibit you from obtaining student loans.

Do I Need a Drug Crimes Lawyer in Rockwall?

To avoid these harsh penalties, you need a drug crime lawyer to protect your legal rights and fight for your future.

And, while the police and prosecutor may tell you to plead guilty in exchange for lesser penalties, they will not tell you how this action could affect your entire life. Your lawyer will explain what the charges may mean and what your legal options are, allowing you to make an informed choice.

Randall Isenberg and his team will pick apart the evidence in your case, in search of potential errors made by the police. Illegal search and seizure and the mishandling of evidence in your case can provide invaluable leverage for us to negotiate with the prosecutor and for building a strong defense.

We may successfully convince the prosecutor to reduce or dismiss the charges against you, or convince a judge to throw out illegally obtained or processed evidence.

If this is your first drug crime offense, we may successfully get you into a diversionary program, or identify other strategies for helping you avoid jail time and a permanent criminal record.

Choosing the Right Drug Crime Lawyer in Rockwall

Look for a Rockwall drug crime lawyer who understands how the system works, and who will put that knowledge to work for you.

Attorney Randall Isenberg has spent more than 30 years in the criminal justice system, working for clients as a drug crime lawyer as well as serving as a felony prosecutor and judge. He understands how the system works and he will work tirelessly to defend you against your charges.

Contact the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg today to schedule a free consultation and case review: 214-696-9253.

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In Rockwall, the police routinely use breathalyzer and blood test evidence to put people in jail for drunk driving — even if errors or inaccuracies exist. Never assume that breathalyzer or blood testing evidence means an automatic conviction. These tests are not foolproof. In fact, their results are often inaccurate or obtained under illegal means.

If you believe your test results are inaccurate or even illegal, you can fight back against any charges you face. A breathalyzer and blood test lawyer in Rockwall can help. Attorney Randall Isenberg understands how to challenge this evidence and potentially get your charges dismissed or reduced.

Contact the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg today to get started: 214-696-9253.

Is It Always Legal for Police to Perform Breathalyzer or Blood Tests?

In Rockwall, police can only request chemical testing for DWI (in the form of a breath or blood test) under certain legally defined conditions.

First, before officers can even pull your vehicle over, they must have reasonable suspicion that you are breaking the law. This means, if they pull you over because they suspect DWI, they must be reasonably certain that your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) meets or exceeds the statutory limit of 0.08.

Officers sometimes use other justifications, claiming that you were swerving or speeding or that your vehicle had a taillight out.

Once officers pull you over, they must establish probable cause before they can request breathalyzer or blood tests. The most common approaches to establishing probable cause are roadside breathalyzer testing and field sobriety testing. Both approaches offer ample opportunities for the police to make a mistake.

If the officers do claim to have probable cause, they must transport you to the police station or another authorized chemical testing location because, in Texas, officers cannot administer official blood or breathalyzer tests.

Any of these steps, if the police fail to follow legal guidelines and protocols, may provide your breathalyzer and blood test lawyer with an opportunity to challenge your case.

What Makes Breathalyzer and Blood Tests Challengeable?

Once you arrive at the station or testing site, the police will formally request that you submit to chemical testing. In Rockwell, the police will likely test you using the Intoxilyzer 5000 system, used for breath testing.

Testing is only legal when a duly trained and certified Intoxilyzer 5000 operator performs the test.

The technician must test you at least twice, to verify the equipment is functioning properly. If the tests provide consistent results, the technician issues a report that becomes the foundation of the prosecutor’s evidence against you.

All Rockwall breathalyzer testing must comply with the requirements of the Texas Department of Public Safety (TxDPS). If the testing technician lacks the necessary certifications, your lawyer can challenge the evidence. Likewise, if police failed to perform all required maintenance and testing of the Intoxilyzer 5000 equipment, your lawyer may succeed in having the test results thrown out.

If the police choose to send you for blood testing instead, those tests must also comply with the legal standards and guidelines for blood testing, including the standards of the TxDPS crime lab.

Failure to comply with all applicable standards can lead the technician or the equipment to produce inaccurate or unreliable evidence.

The team at the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg understands how to evaluate the evidence in your case for problems, and use that information to negotiate on your behalf with the prosecutor, or to make your case in court.

How Will Your Breathalyzer and Blood Test Lawyer Make Your Case?

As you can see, we may have multiple opportunities to challenge the evidence in your case, based on breathalyzer or blood test evidence.

Some of the most common legal strategies used by breath and blood test defense lawyers include challenging the officer’s reasonable suspicion or probable cause to administer BAC testing. We may also question the legality of the test results.

Reasonable Suspicion: Our team can evaluate police reports and dash camera footage to determine how the officers justified pulling your car over. If they lacked reasonable suspicion for your traffic stop, we may successfully have all subsequent evidence disallowed.

Probable Cause: Depending on how the police developed probable cause — whether through field sobriety testing or a roadside breathalyzer test — Randall and his team may find violations or errors, challenging the existence of legal probable cause.

Faulty Blood Testing: If the police sent you for blood testing, your lawyer can explore the qualifications and procedures of the testing lab. Some labs have problems with their processes that could cause contamination of the sample. Mix-ups and errors in the lab setting can render blood results inadmissible.

Inadmissible Breath Testing: If the testing technician lacked proper training or certification, or if the police failed to maintain and test the Intoxilyzer 5000 equipment properly, your lawyer may be able to convince the judge to throw the test results out. Likewise, the testing may be inadmissible if the police failed to provide you with the statutory pre-testing warning, a form known as the DIC-24.

Confounding Factors: If you take certain medications, eat certain foods, or use an oral rinse or mouthwash that can contains alcohol, you might see a false-positive breathalyzer test result. Your legal team can provide medical evidence or testimony to cast doubt on the results of your chemical testing results.

Protect Your Future by Calling a Rockwall Breathalyzer and Blood Test Lawyer Today

A DWI conviction can put you behind bars and leave you with a permanent criminal record. Do not risk your future by trying to deal with your charges on your own.

In Rockwall, Attorney Randall Isenberg understands how to challenge chemical DWI evidence. With more than 30 years’ experience as a defense lawyer, felony prosecutor, and judge, he knows how the system works and will put that knowledge to work for you.

We also have two models of the Intoxilyzer 5000 in our office that we use to help build your case. Randall can negotiate with the prosecutor on your behalf or, if necessary, use this technology to create reasonable doubt in the courtroom.

We would like to offer you a free consultation to answer any questions you might have and help you decide the best course of action for your future.

Do not delay — call us today to learn more: 214-696-9253.

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(214) 696-9253

When facing DWI charges in Rockwall, you risk fines, a criminal record, and even time in jail. But those are not the only challenges you will face. In addition to criminal proceedings, you must appear for an administrative license revocation (ALR) hearing. This civil proceeding determines whether you will lose or keep your driver’s license.

Having legal representation from an ALR suspended license lawyer in Rockwall can help protect your license.

Contact the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg today at 214-696-9253 to find out how we can help you.

How Can an ALR Suspended License Lawyer Help You?

You could lose your driver’s license for up to one year for your first Rockwall DWI conviction — and up to two years for subsequent offenses.

An ALR suspended license lawyer can help protect your legal rights as well as your driving privileges and your permanent record. Some of the benefits that the team at the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg can provide include the following:

• Requesting an ALR Hearing. Unless you comply precisely with the ALR procedures and requirements, you may never have the chance to have your hearing. Your attorney will ensure the correct scheduling of your hearing.
• Preparing You for the ALR Hearing. At the hearing, you must provide testimony under oath. The prosecutor can use any of this testimony against you in your criminal trial. Your lawyer will prepare you to ensure that you do not incriminate yourself or harm your case.
• Representing You at the ALR Hearing. Although ALR is an administrative (not criminal) proceeding, it requires that you, the arresting officer, and anyone else with evidence against you to testify under oath before an administrative law judge. The prosecution can use anything you say in court against you. You need an attorney to protect your interests.
• Fighting ALR License Suspension. The outcome of the ALR hearing will determine what happens with your license. Your lawyer will present your case to ensure the best possible outcome. If the judge does rule to suspend your license, your lawyer can immediately petition the court to obtain an occupational driver’s license for you (a limited license that allows you to drive back and forth to work, school, doctor’s appointments, and necessary personal errands).
• Discovery for Your Criminal Case. At the ALR hearing, your lawyer will have a critical first opportunity to learn what evidence the prosecutor has against you, and to question the arresting officer under oath. This provides your attorney with important insight for constructing a defense in your criminal case.

Throughout the process, Randall Isenberg will be there for you, providing support and counsel, answering your questions and ensuring that you understand your options and what they mean for your future.

How Does the Rockwall ALR Process Work?

When the police stop you on suspicion of drunk driving, the officer must establish probable cause to request a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) test. Once the officer establishes probable cause (e.g., failing a field sobriety test), he will confiscate your driver’s license, which is the first step of the ALR process.

In exchange for your license, the officer will issue you Form DIC-25, Notice of Suspension Temporary Driving Permit. This form serves as a temporary license and provides the information necessary to schedule your ALR hearing. If you fail to schedule the hearing, the Texas Department of Public Safety (TxDPS) will suspend your license for the maximum allowable period (typically one to two years, depending on your prior offenses).

Many people are not familiar with the 14-day time limit and, if you do not read the form carefully, you may miss this critical deadline.

Even if you miss the deadline, your ALR suspended license attorney can help fight to protect your license and driving privileges.

How Does ALR Differ from Your Rockwall DWI Charges?

DWI charges, regardless of whether they are a misdemeanor or felony, go through the court system.

The Texas Office of Administrative Hearings will handle the ALR hearing itself. You must schedule through TxDPS. You can request a hearing date in one of three ways: by submitting a request electronically on the TxDPS website, by mail, or by fax.

TxDPS will respond to your request by mail, using the address on your driver’s license.

If you no longer live at the address of record that TxDPS has for you, you may miss important scheduling information — and potentially your hearing. If you fail to appear for your hearing, TxDPS will suspend your license automatically, just as it will if you fail to request a hearing.

Protect Your License: Talk to an ALR Suspended License Lawyer Today

Attorney Randall Isenberg has more than 30 years’ experience as a DWI defense attorney, district judge, and chief felony prosecutor. This unique insider’s insight gives him the knowledge and experience you need.

We provide no-cost consultations to explain the process and help you make an informed decision for your future.

Call us today 214-696-9253 to learn more about how to protect your license after a Rockwall DWI charge.

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