Any commercial driver convicted of driving while intoxicated (DWI) in Addison, Texas, can face fines and jail time. However, as a commercial license holder, you may face other penalties. You could lose your license, and finding a job in your field could be difficult. Our lawyer can protect you from such consequences.
It is easy to feel overwhelmed and uncertain of the best way to proceed, but the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg is ready to defend you. You can call us today to explore your legal options with one of our team members and learn more about how our Addison criminal defense lawyer can represent you.
Penalties in an Addison Commercial DWI Case
As a holder of a commercial license, you could face regular penalties for a DWI as well as additional penalties because of your specialized license. For this reason, it is a good idea to let our criminal defense attorney help you deal with these criminal charges.
Typical Charges in a DWI Case
In Texas, driving while intoxicated is a Class B misdemeanor, per Texas Penal Code § 49.04. Charges for a Class B misdemeanor include up to a $2,000 fine and up to 180 days jail time.
If your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is 0.15% or more over the legal limit, the crime becomes a Class A misdemeanor. For this, you could spend up to a year in jail and pay up to a $4,000 fine.
These penalties apply to those accused of DWI without any other mitigating factors, such as:
- Having an open container of alcohol in the vehicle
- Intoxication assault
- Intoxication manslaughter
If factors such as these apply to your case, you may face additional penalties. This could mean higher fines, longer jail sentences, and a longer period of time without your license.
Charges and Impact for a Commercial Vehicle License Holder in Addison, Texas
If you have a commercial vehicle license, you may face harsher penalties in Texas. For example, suppose you are convicted of a DWI. In that case, you will be disqualified from driving a commercial vehicle for one year, regardless of the vehicle you were driving at the time of your arrest.
If you are operating a commercial motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.04% or more over the legal limit, you would be disqualified from driving a commercial vehicle for one year, per the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). You could also risk this penalty if you refuse to submit to certain intoxication testing, such as a breathalyzer test.
Fines Increase if You Transport Dangerous Cargo While Driving While Intoxicated in Texas
DWI penalties are steeper if the commercial driver was transporting hazardous material. For example, suppose that someone was driving a commercial vehicle loaded with a flammable substance. Let us also say they were driving while intoxicated at this time. In this situation, they could be disqualified from driving a commercial vehicle for three years instead of one.
An incident like this could further affect your ability to find work. You may need to find a job in a different field. Even after your disqualification ends, some employers may hesitate to hire you based on your history. Your case’s long-term outcomes are important to consider as you work to find an Addison commercial DWI lawyer who can accept your case.
Potential Defense Strategies in an Addison, TX, DWI Case
An Addison DWI lawyer with our firm can work with you to achieve the best possible outcome for your case. This can involve challenging the charges against you. For example, we could present evidence that contradicts the charges, such as showing proof that you were sober at the time of the incident.
We could also argue that errors occurred while testing your blood alcohol concentration levels. People can perform these tests incorrectly, resulting in false positives. Criminal defense attorneys can challenge the actions of the police and the validity of incident-related charges.
We Can Fight to Keep Your Commercial Motor Vehicle License
A driving offenses lawyer from the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg can also represent you at your license revocation hearing. The hearing officer may take mitigating factors into account when determining whether to suspend your license. For example, we might show you have no DWI or criminal record history.
Should You Work With an Addison Commercial DWI Lawyer?
It can be hard to find the right lawyer to help you in your DWI case, but doing so can make all the difference in your case’s outcome. A commercial DWI lawyer with the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg knows the unique laws and penalties that apply to your case. We can:
- Advise you on the best course of legal action
- Look at all the aspects of your case to come up with an effective defense
- Collect evidence supporting your plea
- Bring forward any mitigating factors for the courts to consider
- Be present with you for the legal proceedings of your case, including during the hearing and police questioning
Working with one of our attorneys can provide a sense of relief and confidence after being subjected to criminal charges. We can inform you of your rights and do everything possible to protect them as your case moves through the system.
What Will the Outcome Be in My Addison, TX, Commercial DWI Case?
Every commercial DWI case is different, so we cannot know for sure what the outcome will be in your case until after it is over. However, once we have had some time to review what happened, we may be able to predict elements of its progression and possible outcomes. Some of these potential outcomes include:
- Pleading guilty to a lesser charge with less severe penalties
- Getting the prosecution to agree to reduce the charges that you are fighting against
- Getting the judge to dismiss the case due to lack of admissible evidence
- Going to trial to persuade a jury of your peers that you are not guilty
Throughout your case, the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg will update you and answer your legal questions.
The Work of the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg
Our legal team, with decades of legal experience, defends Addison residents in DWI cases. Randall B. Isenberg has over 30 years of experience in the law as a judge, a prosecutor, and a defense attorney. This experience makes our team uniquely situated to:
- Assess your case and what can be done to protect you from harsh penalties
- Navigate the legal system with your best interests in mind
- Communicate with others involved in the case and persuade them to view your situation with leniency
Consider the following results and outcomes we have had in cases with our other DWI clients:
- August 2022: Four cases where a DWI charge was reduced to obstruction of roadway charges
- September 2022: Three DWI cases where the outcome was deferred probation
- March 2023: Two DWI cases involving BACs over .15 that were reduced to Class B misdemeanors and resulted in deferred probation
No case is typical, but our commitment to our clients never wavers. If your CDL is at risk due to DWI charges, let our legal team protect your commercial driving privileges.
Begin Your Addison DWI Case Today
Finding the right lawyer can make all the difference in your case. Our Addison commercial DWI lawyer at the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg would like to represent you starting today. We are ready to answer your questions and act as your legal defense, so contact us now to get started with your case.
