When you face a DWI charge in Austin, Texas, the penalties after a conviction can be severe. After you’ve served time in jail, having a criminal history could make finding suitable employment or a place to live challenging. Because of the potential lifelong consequences, you should not just admit to the charges to quickly end the case. However, you can consider retaining an Austin DWI lawyer to defend you to avoid the most serious consequences.

Although it may seem like you have few options trying to stand up to law enforcement and prosecutors, having an attorney on your side can lead to new avenues in your defense strategy. At the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg, we are ready to help you immediately.

How Our Austin DWI Attorneys Will Work for You

Although some people believe a DWI charge is a straightforward situation where the accused has almost no chance of receiving a favorable outcome, this is not the case. DWI cases have many nuances, and our DWI attorney in Austin, TX, can use these nuances to create a defense strategy.

Attorney Randall Isenberg, our firm’s founder, is a former senior chief felony prosecutor and state district trial judge with 30 years of experience. He and his team know the law and will fight for you as they have for other clients in similar situations.

We Will Closely Investigate the Facts in the Case

Through our investigation of the steps that led to your arrest, we will examine how the police handled the evidence. We will ensure officers followed the procedures required under state law to collect evidence in a DWI case.

We also will study the circumstances surrounding why officers pulled you over in the first place. After collecting all the facts in the case, we can then begin to put together the defense strategy that makes the most sense for your particular case and needs.

We Can Seek an Administrative License Revocation (ALR) Hearing

After a DWI arrest, Texas nearly always suspends the arrested driver’s license. However, the Texas Department of Public Safety gives those facing this charge the ability to seek an ALR hearing to reinstate the license.

It can be helpful to legally drive while you await the resolution of your DWI charge. Our Austin attorney for DWI cases can represent you during this ALR hearing, working to see your license reinstated. However, we must seek this hearing within 15 days of the suspension. So, we must work fast.

We Will Represent You From Start to Finish

Once we are representing you, we will meet with prosecutors and law enforcement to determine what kind of situation you face. If it makes sense in your case, we may begin negotiating with the prosecutor to seek a dismissal of or a reduction in your charges.

We may determine that the best way forward is to take the case to trial. We will represent you in court, presenting the facts in the case to seek a favorable outcome from the jury or judge. With Randall B. Isenberg’s 30-plus years of experience working in the judicial system, we know how to argue for our clients in court.

We Will Keep You Informed

At the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg, we take great pride in our responsiveness to our clients. When we work for you, we will answer questions whenever you have them.

We understand that facing a DWI charge can be scary, especially if it’s your first time dealing with the criminal justice system after an arrest. We never want you to feel lost or confused about the situation you face. We will always have your best interest in mind.

DWI Penalties in Austin, Texas

The penalties that accompany a DWI charge depends on several factors, including if you are a first-time DWI offender or if you already have a DWI record:

• First DWI offense: First-time offenders could face up to $2,000 in fines, from three days to 180 days (six months) in jail, and a driver license suspension for up to one year.
• Second DWI offense: Offenders in this category could pay up to $4,000 in fines, between one month and one year in jail, and a two-year driver license suspension.
• Third DWI offense: Offenders in this category could face up to $10,000 in fines, between two and 10 years in prison, and a two-year license suspension for this felony conviction.

Texas authorities could seek harsher penalties against offenders if:

• If they have an open container of alcohol in their vehicles when arrested
• Their blood alcohol concentration was 0.15% or above when arrested

Offenders aged 18 and older can face DWI charges in Austin. In Texas, the legal limit for blood alcohol concentration is 0.08% for drivers aged 21 and up and 0.00% for drivers under age 21.

You Could Face Felony DWI Charges in an Austin Case

In certain DWI cases, you face a felony charge. A felony charge is possible if the DWI arrest includes certain circumstances, including:

• A death in a car accident
• Serious injuries in a car accident
• Having a child under 15 years of age in the car during the DWI

As the Texas Politics Project explains, felony convictions can lead to a year or more of prison time, as well as fines up to $10,000, as noted above. Felony convictions could leave you unable to vote or own a firearm after serving your prison time. If you face this type of situation, you should take every possible step to defend yourself.

The Problems an Austin DWI Conviction Can Cause for You

With a DWI conviction on your record, you could lose many of your rights. Even after you serve jail time and other penalties for the DWI conviction, the consequences from this action can continue, including:

• Those who hold a commercial driver’s license may lose it permanently, leaving them unable to continue working as a professional driver.
• Banking partners may refuse to trust you with loans, making it difficult to complete deals.
• You may be unable to hold certain types of jobs or to join certain professional organizations after a conviction on a drunk driving charge.

If you end up with a felony DWI conviction, you could lose your ability to vote or own a firearm.

A Conviction Will Remain on Your Record Going Forward

After a DWI conviction, this information will remain on your record in Texas forever unless you take steps to have the charge sealed or expunged. If someone runs a criminal background check on you, they will see this conviction. The process of removing a DWI conviction is extremely difficult, although our team can help with it.

The better solution is to try to avoid the conviction in the first place. Do not simply plead guilty to this charge because law enforcement and prosecutors make your case seem hopeless. Do not plead guilty to attempt to quickly put the case behind you. Our team can help you fight the charge and potentially receive a better outcome.

Click to contact our DWI Accidents Lawyers today

(214) 696-9253

Our Austin Lawyer Will Defend Your Legal Rights – Call Us Today

A criminal conviction on your record can have lasting effects that could make life difficult in Texas and elsewhere. You should defend yourself against a DWI charge just as fiercely as you would against any other criminal charge. You can trust the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg to deliver the professional level of representation you deserve.

Rely on our Austin criminal defense lawyer to create a strong defense strategy for you in your DWI case. We will offer legal counsel that protects your rights and interests as we seek the most favorable outcome.

Call or text or complete a Free Case Evaluation form

(214) 696-9253

Lately, it seems like you can’t catch a break. First, you were charged with assault. Now, in addition to any related conflicts, you may worry about paying fines and spending time behind bars. The Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg offers compassionate legal representation to people in situations like yours. 

An Austin assault lawyer from our firm can build a solid case that aims to protect your rights and freedom. You don’t have to go against the prosecutor on your own. A lawyer from our firm can be by your side every step of the way. You can call today to explore your options and begin a free case assessment. 

How Our Legal Team Can Help After Getting an Assault Charge in Austin

While facing assault charges in Austin, you can count on the legal team at the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg. For over 30 years, we have helped Texans avoid convictions and the penalties that come with them. We believe that our success stems from our founder’s experience as a prosecutor and state district judge. 

You can expect us to:

• Represent you through all court appearances
• Stand up for you during interrogations and ensure law enforcement doesn’t infringe on your rights
• Investigate the arrest and ensure the arresting law enforcement officer read your Miranda rights and followed other legal procedures
• Advise you on if you should take the plea deal that the prosecution offers
• Prepare a strong case to defend you from your charges

Our legal team can take all the necessary steps to help you reach a successful outcome and avoid a conviction. We understand the gravity of the consequences you face. Above all else, we hope to offer comfort and hope during this stressful time. 

We Determine Whether Your Charges Accurately Reflect the Alleged Crime

Our founder, Randall B. Isenberg, offers detailed insight into how prosecutors operate. They spend their entire careers getting convictions––even if the charges don’t necessarily match the crime. This way, they can remain in office and build their careers. 

In Texas, you can face severe penalties if convicted of assault. That’s why it’s so important to understand the charges you face. Per Texas Penal Code § 22.01, you could be charged and convicted of assault if you’re found to have: 

• Caused physical harm to another person intentionally or recklessly
• Threatened to physically harm another person 
• Used offensive or provocative physical contact toward another person

After reviewing your case, we may find that an infraction took place, but it didn’t constitute assault. In that case, we could move to have your charges reduced, lessening how much time you face behind bars. Depending on the circumstances (such as the collection of evidence), we could move to have your charges dropped or dismissed. 

Penalties You Could Face if Convicted of Assault in Austin

You could face severe punishments based on the circumstances of your alleged crime and subsequent arrest. In the most severe cases, you could face up to life in prison, along with five-figure fines. 

Here’s what to know about misdemeanors, felonies, and the penalties they pose: 

• Felonies pose more severe penalties than misdemeanors. Even with a third-degree felony, you could face up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $2,000. 
• Sometimes, we’re able to get felony charges reduced to misdemeanors. This wouldn’t eliminate penalties, but it could eliminate the possibility of jail time. 
• You generally can’t get an assault conviction expunged from your criminal record. That means, once you’re convicted, the offense remains on your record forever. 

Even spending a few days in jail could prove to be traumatizing. Threats to your personal safety, confinement, and other factors could transform your character. That’s why it’s so important to consider legal help from our assault lawyers in Austin. The Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg can prepare a solid defense to help you avoid these harsh penalties. 

Real-World Penalties Following an Assault Conviction in Austin

You should do everything possible to avoid an assault conviction. Having a conviction on your record can cause more consequences than just facing jail time or large fines. You could also have issues in your personal life moving forward. 

For instance: 

You Could Have Difficulty Finding a Job

You might find it more challenging to find a job if you have a criminal conviction on your record. Per the Office of Justice Programs, more than 80 percent of employers run background checks on applicants. If a potential employer sees a conviction on your record, they might disregard your application.  

If you already have a job, and your employer finds out about the conviction, you could lose it. Many employers don’t allow convicted criminals to work for them, especially if they work with children or the elderly. 

Landlords Could Deny Rental Applications

When you look for a new place to live, you could struggle to find housing if you rent. Once you find a place to live, landlords typically have you fill out an application. Part of the process many landlords use when reviewing applications includes conducting a background check. You have a higher chance of getting an immediate denial if they see a criminal conviction on your record.

Loan Officers Could Deny Loan Applications

If you need a loan for a car, mortgage, or another personal matter, you could find it more challenging to get approved after a criminal conviction. The loan officer you work with could conduct a background check and see your conviction. Then, they could think twice about your ability to repay that loan––even if you’re in good financial standing. 

Contact Us After an Assault Charge in Austin

If there’s one thing you want, it’s a legal advocate on your side. At the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg, we can fight for your freedom and build a solid case to defend you. 

Contact our assault team serving Austin today for a free consultation. We can review your case now.

Call or text or complete a Free Case Evaluation form

(214) 696-9253