After a friend or loved one has been arrested for a DWI in Dallas, it may be difficult to find where they are being held. It may be a while before your friend or loved one is given a phone call to alert you where they are. You may want to get them out of jail as soon as possible after an arrest. For a quick way to find out where they are located, Dallas offers an online tool.
After you locate your friend or loved one, they may be facing serious consequences. An attorney from the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg can answer questions and discuss legal options during a free, no-obligation consultation. A DWI conviction could stay on a person’s record forever and affect future housing or employment opportunities.
What Is a DWI?
Texas Penal Code § 49 defines a DWI as someone who is driving a motor vehicle while intoxicated. Texas’ definition of intoxicated means:
- Not having the normal use of mental or physical capabilities because of alcohol, drugs, or other controlled substances.
- Having an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher. Alcohol concentration means the number of grams of alcohol per 210 liters of breath, 100 milliliters of blood, or 67 milliliters of urine.
Consequences for a DWI in Dallas
The state of Texas has serious consequences for people who are convicted of DWIs. Consequences vary based on the number of DWIs the person has.
Penalties for the first DWI offense include:
- Up to a $2,000 fine
- 72 hours to 6 months in jail upon conviction
- Potentially losing your driver’s license for up to a year
Penalties for a second DWI offense include:
- Up to a $4,000 fine
- Upon conviction, 30 days to 1 year of jail time (minimum jail time of 72 hours)
- Potentially losing your driver’s license for up to 2 years
Penalties for a third DWI offense include:
- Up to a $10,000 fine
- Upon conviction, 2 to 10 years of prison time
- Potentially losing your driver’s license for up to 2 years
Reasons DWI Consequences Could Increase
There are several reasons consequences for a DWI could be increased. One reason is if a child under the age of 15 is in the car. If the DWI occurred while there was a child passenger in the car, the driver could be charged with a DWI but also be charged with child endangerment.
If the BAC of the driver is 0.15 or higher or there is an open container in the vehicle, this raises the offense from a class B misdemeanor to a class A misdemeanor, which includes jail time. If someone is injured because of the driver driving while intoxicated, the misdemeanor will be elevated to a felony.
If your friend or loved one is facing these serious consequences after a DWI arrest, a lawyer can be helpful. Our goal will be to get the charges reduced or dismissed. We can also negotiate a fair plea agreement to avoid a trial.
The Attorneys at the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg Will Fight DWI Charges
If your friend or loved one has been charged with a DWI, they shouldn’t have to face these charges by themselves. By calling our office shortly after the arrest, we can get started on the case immediately. We will provide legal guidance to your friend or loved one during custody and after they are released.
The DWI attorneys from our team have handled many DWI cases and know how to prepare a defense strategy. Once we begin working on the case, we will:
- Review the police report to find out what happened during the traffic stop.
- Review the evidence against your friend or loved one.
- Review any police body-cam footage or other surveillance videos from the scene.
- Determine if the police violated your friend’s or loved one’s rights during the arrest.
A member of our team is available 24/7, 365 days per year. If your friend or loved one is being interrogated, we can represent them so they are not fighting their charges alone. Our attorneys can also be at the initial court appearances to attempt to get the charges reduced or dropped.
Call Our Firm Today for a Free Consultation
At the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg, we offer free consultations. We want all potential clients to know the benefits of our firm without any obligation. During the consultation, we will discuss the circumstances of the case and we will inform you of your legal rights. If you choose to move forward with our attorneys, we will begin working on your defense immediately.
If your friend or family member is currently in jail after a DWI arrest, you may not know who to turn to. We can help you find someone who was arrested for DWI in Dallas or represent them once they are located. Contact us today and we can start working on the case immediately.