A conviction for drinking and driving results in a severe fine and a suspension of your driver’s license for up to two years. You also likely face jail time along with a variety of other potential penalties. Worse, you will be left with a permanent criminal record, potentially interfering with your career path as well as your ability to rent a house or even get a student loan.

Before you plead guilty, talk to a DWI lawyer in Allen, TX to learn more about your options. The Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg provides a no-cost consultation and case evaluation to answer your questions and help you make the most informed choice for your future.

Call us at 214-696-9253 today.

Penalties for a DWI Conviction in Allen

If police catch you driving drunk, they will charge you based on these factors:

• Your blood alcohol concentration (BAC)
• Whether you have a record of driving while intoxicated
• Any aggravating factors present at the time of arrest

In the Texas Penal Code (TPC), DWI crimes require three factors to meet the statutory definition of this offense:

1. You operated a motor vehicle
2. You drove the vehicle in public
3. You did not have normal use of physical or mental faculties

The TPC provides the police with a guideline for measuring the third factor, which is a BAC reading of 0.08 or above as measured by a blood or breathalyzer test. Absent any other confounding factors, you face Class B misdemeanor charges for a first offense DWI, punishable as follows:

• Up to 6 months in jail
• Up to $2,000 in fines
• Up to a 1-year license suspension

However, if your BAC reading was 0.15 or above, you face a Class A misdemeanor charge, punishable as follows:

• Up to 1 year in jail
• Up to $4,000 in fines
• Up to a 2-year license suspension

For a second DWI offense, you also face Class A misdemeanor charges. For a third or subsequent offense, you face felony DWI charges carrying a $10,000 fine and between 2 and 10 years in prison.

The court may also impose probation, community service, and substance abuse treatment, and require you to install an ignition interlocking device on your cars, which you must also pay for.

To reinstate your license and keep it in good standing, you must pay an annual surcharge of up to $2,000 for a total of 3 years.

Last, but not least, you will have a permanent criminal record. This will cause your car insurance rates to skyrocket and potentially impede your ability to get a job, rent an apartment, or get into a good school. You also become disqualified from having many types of professional licenses.

As you can see, despite what the police and prosecutor might want you to believe, a DWI conviction is a very big deal.

How an Allen DWI Lawyer Can Help You

No matter how hopeless your situation may seem, never assume you are automatically destined for a DWI conviction — even if the evidence seems overwhelming.

When you trust attorney Randall Isenberg with your DWI case, rest assured he and his team are there for you throughout the process, protecting your legal rights and fighting for your future.

With more than 30 years in the Texas criminal justice system, including time as both a judge and felony prosecutor, Mr. Isenberg understands how the system works from all sides. This unique insight means we know how to get the job done for you.

We will:

• Protect your rights under the law
• Represent you in all matters related to your criminal trial
• Represent you at your license suspension hearing
• Answer your questions and explain your options

We also scrutinize the facts of your case for any potential weaknesses, such as a violation of your legal rights or procedural error committed by the police. We can use this information to engage the prosecutor in negotiations, potentially reducing or dismissing your charges.

We identify the best legal strategies for your defense and, if necessary, proceed to trial to defend you on DWI charges and fight tirelessly on your behalf. The prosecution has a high burden of proof to meet and we will present the strongest possible case to introduce reasonable doubt.

The Important Role of Your Driver’s License Suspension Hearing

When you are arrested for DWI in Allen, it triggers the Administrative License Revocation (ALR) process. This is the process the Texas Department of Public Safety (TxDPS) uses to suspend your driver’s license for drunk driving. The ALR process, an administrative (civil) proceeding, takes place separate from — but simultaneous to — the criminal process.

If you wish to protest the suspension of your license, you must request and appear at the ALR hearing. If you fail to do so, TxDPS will automatically suspend your license.

Our services related to the ALR process include the following:

• Scheduling your ALR license suspension hearing
• Obtaining all evidence related to your case
• Preparing you to give testimony at the hearing
• Making the strongest case for keeping your license

We also compel the arresting officer to appear at the hearing to give testimony under oath. This gives us the opportunity to question the officer and determine the strength of the prosecution’s case in your criminal proceeding. We use this information to inform our legal strategies.

If the judge elects to suspend your license, we can file an appeal or petition for an occupational license allowing you to drive to work, school, court, and other necessary personal errands.

Legal Defenses for Your DWI Charge

Our legal team will choose the right strategies for your defense based on the facts and information pertinent to your case. Some commonly used legal defenses for DWI charges include:

• Lack of reasonable suspicion for stopping you
• Lack of probable cause for arresting you/requesting chemical testing
• Errors in the performance of chemical BAC testing
• Errors in the processing or storing of evidence
• False positive BAC testing results
• Violations of your legal rights by the police

We have many options for finding weaknesses in your case and many more options for leveraging those factors to ensure you are not wrongfully convicted.

Click to contact our DWI Lawyers today

(214) 696-9253

See How a DWI Lawyer in Allen Can Help You

To help you decide the best course of action in your drunk driving case, the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg offers a no-cost, no-obligation case evaluation.

Contact our office today at 214-696-9253 to see how a DWI lawyer in Allen can help with your case.

Call or text or complete a Free Case Evaluation form

(214) 696-9253

Upon conviction for drug possession in Allen, you face substantial monetary fines and potential jail time. You also have a permanent criminal record, potentially interfering with educational and employment opportunities.

A drug possession lawyer in Allen, TX will protect your legal rights and fight to have your charges reduced or dismissed.

Contact the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg today at 214-696-9253 for a no-cost consultation and case evaluation.

Drug Possession Penalties in Allen

Thanks to the serious nature of drug crimes in Texas, almost every level of possession charge carries the threat of jail time. Fines start at $2,000 and increase substantially for more serious offenses.

Depending on the type and amount of illegal substance you are charged with having in your possession, you face charges ranging from a Class B misdemeanor to a first-degree felony.

The penalties for each potential class of drug crime are shown below:

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In addition to monetary fines and jail or prison time, you also pay court costs and fees. The court may require you to serve probation, attend rehab or drug education classes, and perform community service.

Finally, a drug possession conviction goes on your permanent public record, visible to anyone who runs a background check. This can result in potential employers and landlords denying your application. It can also mean losing scholarships, student loans, and the ability to get into the college or university you want. You may also be prohibited from holding many different types of professional licensure, such as those required to practice nursing, teaching, or real estate.

A Drug Possession Lawyer in Allen Can Help

When you choose criminal defense attorney Randall Isenberg to represent you, you have a powerful advocate in your mission to fight drug crimes charges.

Our legal team assists you in a variety of important ways, including the following:

• Protect your legal rights
• Answer your questions and help explore your options
• Represent you in all aspects of your case
• Identify legal strategies for building your criminal defense
• Analyze the evidence in your case to identify errors and violations of your rights
• Negotiate with the prosecutor to get your charges reduced or dropped
• Assist you with application for diversion or deferred adjudication
• Prepare your case for court and defend you at trial

We choose the best possible legal strategies for your defense, based on the facts and circumstances of your case. The prosecution must prove your case beyond a reasonable doubt to get a conviction. We focus on establishing reasonable doubt by exposing flaws in the evidence and violations of your constitutional rights.

Understanding Drug Possession Charges in Allen

The Texas Controlled Substances Act (TCSA) provides the definition of drug crimes and establishes the penalties for each. The statutes divide drug possession into two categories: actual possession and constructive possession.

Actual Drug Possession

The police charge you with this crime if you have an illegal substance directly in your possession. This could include your pocket, backpack, purse, or briefcase.

Constructive Drug Possession

The police charge you with this crime if you have drugs or banned substances in a location you control. This could be your home, car, school locker, or a storage unit you rent.

Whether the police charge you with a misdemeanor or felony depends on the type of drug in question and the quantity you are charged with having in your possession. To simplify this process, the TCSA identifies four primary categories and two sub-categories.

The TCSA separates controlled substances and illegal drugs into penalty groups based on the nature of the substance.

Consider these examples:

Possession of Marijuana, Derivatives, or Paraphernalia

Penalties range from a misdemeanor to a first-degree felony, based on the quantity and type of substance in your possession.

Possession of Cocaine, Heroin, or Meth

Penalties for even a small quantity of these drugs range from a state jail felony to a first-degree felony.

Possession of Illegal Prescription Drugs

Possessing scheduled drugs without a valid prescription carries a class A misdemeanor charge. This includes anabolic steroids, codeine, Xanax, and Adderall.

Enhanced offenses covered in the TCSA include providing drugs to a minor, using a minor to commit a drug possession crime, having a forged prescription, and possessing drugs in a school zone or a designated drug-free zone.

You also face more severe penalties if you have a prior drug offense on your record.

Potential Drug Possession Defense Strategies

Our legal team evaluates your case and all available evidence to determine the most appropriate legal strategies for your defense. Some of the most common drug possession defenses include:

Illegal Search and Seizure

If the police discover drug evidence during an unconstitutional search of your person or property, we can request to have that evidence declared inadmissible in court.

No Actual or Constructive Possession

We can argue that the drugs in question belonged to someone else and that you were unaware of their presence.

Medical Purpose

We can argue that the substance in your possession was medically necessary or approved for investigational purpose.

Additionally, we have many other potential strategies for your defense, depending on the unique circumstances in your case. Our team will work to determine the best possible strategies for building your case.

Click to contact our Drug Possession Lawyers today

(214) 696-9253

Consulting a Drug Possession Lawyer in Allen

Attorney Randall B. Isenberg has more than three decades of experience as a criminal defense lawyer, judge, and prosecutor. Our legal team will assist you in considering the options available to you and help make the right choices for your future.

We offer a free consultation to individuals facing drug crimes charges in Allen, including drug possession offenses. Contact us at 214-696-9253 for your consultation.

Call or text or complete a Free Case Evaluation form

(214) 696-9253

Have you or someone you care about been accused of a crime in Allen, Texas? Depending on the nature of the crime and your prior convictions, you could be looking at hefty fines and years behind bars. A criminal defense lawyer from our firm can protect you against such penalties.

The Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg can provide an Allen criminal defense lawyer to investigate and defend your case on your behalf. With our assistance, you could face minimal or no penalties and put this episode behind you sooner than if you go it alone.

Our Allen Criminal Defense Attorney Can Fight for You

At the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg, we understand how frightening it is to find yourself facing charges of any kind. Whether this is your first offense or you have a prior conviction on your criminal record, a legal action against you can upend your life.

Know that you do not have to face these charges alone. We provide legal representation to people facing criminal charges of all kinds, including:

• Alcohol offenses, such as intoxication assault or driving while intoxicated (DWI)
• Capital offenses, such as murder and assault
• Sex offenses, such as prostitution
• Weapons offenses, such as unlawful possession
• Drug offenses, such as possession or intent to distribute
• Family and domestic violence offenses, such as child endangerment or felony assault

Our team is dedicated to ensuring that each and every criminal defense client receives just legal service under the law. An Allen criminal defense lawyer from our firm can champion your legal rights by:

• Investigating the charges: We collect our own evidence regarding the alleged crime, including your whereabouts and actions at the time it happened. We can also check to make sure the arresting police officers did not violate your rights.
• Fighting for dismissal: If we can build a strong enough case, we might be able to get the case dropped or dismissed right away. This could happen if, for instance, there is video footage showing that you were nowhere near the scene of the crime.
• Making plea deals: Sometimes, the prosecutor is willing to reduce the charges—for example, from a felony to a misdemeanor. You would plead guilty to the lesser charge and be spared the more severe penalties associated with the original charge.
• Defending you in court: Not every criminal case ends up in court. If yours does, our criminal defense team can fight for you at the trial, arguing vigorously and persuasively for the jury to find you not guilty and set you free. We also help our clients prepare for criminal trials in case they have to testify.
• Advising you: The law can seem convoluted and inaccessible to laypeople. Our criminal defense law firm can explain your situation to you, help you weigh the pros and cons of various approaches, and make sure you have all of the information you need to make the right legal decisions for you.
• Getting your record expunged: Per the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure § 55.01, those convicted or acquitted of certain types of charges can have their record expunged, or wiped clean. We can let you know if you qualify for expunction and, if you do, assist you with this process.

Our managing partner, Randall B. Isenberg, is well situated to help people like you. He spent many years as a judge and as a prosecutor before turning his attention to criminal defense. His decades of experience give him unique insight into the criminal justice system and how to make sure that system works for you.

We Defend Allen Residents Against Life-Ruining Criminal Charges

As criminal defense attorneys, it is our job to protect your constitutional rights to humane treatment and a fair trial. We also want to see you go back to your normal life as quickly as possible with minimal disruption and stress.

Regardless of which criminal offense you have been charged with, the penalties associated with it can be harsh. As one example, consider the maximum penalties associated with DWI, as described by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT):

• After your first DWI, a judge could suspend your license for 1 year, sentence you to 180 days in jail, and fine you $2,000.
• A second DWI conviction could mean you lose your license for 2 years, spend up to 1 year in jail, and have to pay a fine of $4,000.
• A third DWI conviction brings the most onerous penalties of all: 2 years without your license, up to 10 years in prison, and a $10,000 fine.

These and other penalties continue to affect lives long after a criminal conviction is handed down. It is no exaggeration to say that your life may never be the same. A conviction can cause:

• Financial strain: Paying fines can force your family into debt. Your financial burden could be even greater if your alleged actions resulted in a personal injury or wrongful death, prompting a judge to order you to pay restitution.
• Social isolation: Even close friends and family may come to believe you are guilty and cut you out of their lives. If your peers find out about your conviction, they, too, may act differently around you.
• Professional struggles: If you cannot get your record expunged, all prospective employers will be able to find out about your criminal conviction. They might decide not to hire you on that basis. Also, a long prison term could prompt your current employer to fire you.
• Mental health issues: Being accused and convicted of a crime, in addition to whatever prison or jail time you are sentenced to, could greatly impact your self-esteem and mental wellbeing.
• Death: If convicted of an extremely serious crime (e.g., first-degree murder), you could face the death penalty.

Our law firm does not want to see you face such terrible penalties. The dedicated team at the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg can assist you with all legal matters related to your case by weighing your defense options and defending you to the fullest.

What if You Do Not Hire an Allen Criminal Attorney?

Under the law, you technically have the legal right to defend yourself in criminal matters. However, we cannot recommend this course of action because:

• Texas and federal laws can be very complex and difficult to understand
• You are already stressed because of the charges against you, so it may be hard to see the situation clearly
• Not everyone involved in your case has your best interests at heart, and it is often helpful to hire a criminal defense attorney to identify and protect you against these other parties

Without our law firm on your side, you would have to either depend on an overworked public defender or handle your entire case alone. Both options can only add stress and uncertainty to your already precarious situation.

Our criminal defense advocates want you to know that we are on your side. We do everything possible to protect and defend clients, and to minimize the traumatizing effect that criminal charges can have on your life and your health.

Let Our Allen Criminal Defense Law Attorneys Defend You

The Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg wants to ensure that every Texan receives the fair and just treatment they deserve under the law. Call our office today and find out how our Allen criminal defense lawyer can defend your legal rights and help you get home as soon as possible.

Call or text or complete a Free Case Evaluation form

(214) 696-9253