A conviction for under 21 DUI in Plano means hefty fines and a suspended driver’s license. It also means having a permanent criminal record, which can significantly affect your chances of getting into a good college or getting a job after graduation. If you or your child is facing underage drunk driving charges, do not attempt to fight this battle alone.

An under 21 DUI lawyer in Plano can protect your legal rights, explain your options, and represent you through the legal process. Call the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg today for help: 214-696-9253.

What are the penalties for an under 21 DUI in Plano?

In Texas, the laws that govern driving while intoxicated (DWI) are different than those that deal with driving under the influence (DUI).

Chapter 49 of the Texas Penal Code establishes that drivers with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or above qualifies for criminal DWI charges, no matter their age.

For drivers under the age of 21, however, the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code (TABC) establishes a zero-tolerance standard. An under 21 DUI charge only requires that the driver have any measurable level of alcohol in her body.

However, if an underage driver registers a BAC of 0.08 or more, she may face a more serious underage DWI charge, just as an adult would.

The penalties for a first offense DUI typically include:

• A $500 fine
• 60-day driver’s license suspension (no occupational license for 30 days)
• Mandatory attendance at an alcohol awareness course
• 20 to 40 hours of community service

A second DUI offense elevates the penalties you face:

• A $500 fine
• 120-day driver’s license suspension (no occupational license for 90 days)
• Mandatory attendance at an alcohol awareness course
• 40 to 60 hours of community service

Third and subsequent under 21 DUI convictions carry fines up to $2,000, a 180- day driver’s license suspension, and up to 180 days in jail. DUI statutes only apply to alcohol consumption, not illegal drug use.

Note that the underage DUI statutes also apply to operating a boat.

Do you need an under 21 DUI lawyer?

An under 21 DUI conviction can compromise your future in several significant ways. You may have to disclose your conviction when applying to colleges and seeking employment. Your car insurance premiums will significantly increase as well.

Fortunately, Plano offers under 21 offenders plenty of options for a better outcome. An under 21 DUI lawyer can explain all the available options and how each one might impact your future.

If deferral programs are not an option and your case must proceed to court, your attorney can examine the prosecution’s evidence against you and use that information to build a strong case in your defense.

Above all, a DUI attorney can protect your rights — or those of your child — under the law.

Is an under 21 DUI eligible for deferral in Plano?

To help set under 21 DUI offenders on a better path, Texas offers most first-time (and some second-time) offenders an option for deferral of their charges.

If you have subsequent arrests for under 21 DUI, you will not have the option for deferral.

A Plano under 21 DUI lawyer can facilitate entry into a deferral program by assisting you with the necessary application and representing you in court.

If you qualify for deferral, you must pay the fine associated with the underage DUI charge and attend the mandatory alcohol awareness course. The judge may order parents or guardians to attend an alcohol awareness class as well.

Upon completion of the penalty requirements, the judge may dismiss the under 21 DUI charges, leaving the young offender with a clean record. Your attorney can assist you with this aspect of the process as well, to ensure that the court has wiped the slate clean.

What is Plano Teen Court?

For an under 21 DUI charge in Plano, you may wish to consider the Plano Teen Court program. Teen Court, offered in many Texas cities, allows underage DUI offenders to pay for their crime through community service.

Teen Court holds the offender responsible for their actions and helps them learn more about the legal system and their responsibilities under the law.

Volunteer teen “attorneys” present the participant’s case to a jury of the defendant’s peers. Once both sides have presented their case, the jury will assign community service.

Voluntary participation in Plano Teen Court and completion of community service hours can lead to the dismissal of under 21 class C misdemeanor DUI charges.

If you are between the ages of 13 and 18 and have not previously participated in a Teen Court program, your attorney can ask the judge to refer you to the program. If the judge agrees, you will have 90 days to complete the program.

In Plano, additional requirements include paying court costs, writing assigned essays and serving on the mock court. You are permitted to participate in Teen Court only once in a 12-month period.

Failure to complete the program will result in your case being returned to court for sentencing.

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Call Randall B. Isenberg today.

Attorney Randall Isenberg has more than 30 years’ experience in the criminal justice system, including many years as a felony prosecutor and state district court judge. This allows him to approach your case with an insider’s knowledge and perspective.

Whether negotiating with the prosecutor for a lesser charge, convincing the state to drop your case, or assembling evidence for trial, Randall will fight vigorously to protect your future.

At the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg, we offer free consultations and case reviews for underage DUI clients throughout the Plano area. Contact us today to schedule an appointment: 214-696-9253.

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A relaxing afternoon on the water in Plano can turn stressful if you are arrested for boating while intoxicated. Texas law takes a firm stance on drunk boating, as it can be just as dangerous as driving drunk.

Even a first offense conviction for boating while intoxicated involves mandatory jail time and monetary fines. And, just like a DWI, the conviction will remain on your record forever. Do not make the mistake of believing you can fight these charges on your own. A boating while intoxicated (BWI) lawyer in Plano can help protect your legal rights and ensure the best possible outcome for your case.

Contact the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg at 214-696-9253 to learn more about how we can help.

What is boating while intoxicated?

If you are not familiar with this crime, boating while intoxicated is very similar to driving while intoxicated, except in a watercraft rather than a vehicle on land.

Per the Texas Penal Code, the definition of a watercraft is as follows, “a vessel, one or more water skis, an aquaplane, or another device used for transporting or carrying a person on water, other than a device propelled only by the current of water.”

This definition encompasses motor boats, sail boats, personal watercraft (jet skis etc.) and, as you may have noticed in the statutory definition, even water skis.

The statute defines intoxication as having a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) above 0.08. However, a police officer can also arrest you for BWI if you lack appropriate motor skills, coordination, and judgment to safely operate a boat or other watercraft.

What are the penalties for boating while intoxicated (BWI)?

A first offense BWI is a class B misdemeanor offense, punishable as follows:

• Mandatory minimum jail time of 72 hours
• Potential county jail sentence of up to 6 months
• Monetary fine up to $2,000
• Driver’s license suspension up to 1 year

A second BWI charge is a class A misdemeanor, punishable as follows:

• Mandatory minimum jail time of 30 days
• Potential county jail sentence of up to 1 year
• Monetary fine up to $4,000
• Driver’s license suspension up to 2 years

Third and subsequent BWIs are third-degree felonies, punishable as follows:

• Mandatory minimum prison sentence of two years
• Potential prison sentence of up to 10 years
• Monetary fine up to $10,000
• Driver’s license suspension up to 2 years

Your sentence may also include probation, mandatory community service, mandatory attendance of a substance abuse education program, or a boating safety course.

If you have a BAC of 0.15 or above, the charges and penalties are higher. Enhancements and additional charges may apply if you caused an accident while boating under the influence, especially if someone sustained injuries or death.

How is a BWI different than a DWI in Texas?

Although the statutes for BWI and DWI are similar, boating while intoxicated has a few key differences you should be aware of.

• Although DWI laws only apply when operating a vehicle in a public place, no such restriction applies to BWI.
• Police officers can board a vessel to complete a random safety check. This means they do not need reasonable suspicionof your intoxication to board your boat.
• At one time, officers were supposed to conduct field sobriety testing for a BWI on land. In fact, they were obligated to provide you with 15 minutes, once you reach the shore, to regain your balance before testing. Today, officers can conduct seated standardized field sobriety testingaboard a vessel.
• You are not subject to open container laws aboard a vessel.

One very important way that DWI and BWI are the same, however, is what may happen to your driver’s license after an arrest.

Do you know that BWI can cost you your driver’s license?

In Plano, a BWI arrest can result in a lengthy suspension of your driver’s license. In fact, the civil process for Administrative License Revocation (ALR) after a BWI is the same as it is for DWI.

When the police arrest you for BWI, they will confiscate your driver’s license and issue you a temporary permit to drive a car. You then have 15 days to formally request an ALR hearing.

If you fail to schedule your hearing, the Texas Department of Public Safety (TxDPS) will suspend your license automatically, even if the state does not ultimately convict you for BWI.

To minimize the time you lose your license, a BWI attorney from the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg can make your case at the ALR hearing. In addition, your lawyer will have the opportunity to review the evidence in your BWI case and question the arresting officer under oath.

Once your license suspension is up, you must pay a surcharge ($1,000 to $2,000) each year for three years to reactive your license.

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How can I fight BWI charges?

If you choose not to fight your BWI charges, you will spend time in jail, pay some hefty fines, and lose your driver’s license for a period of time.

A BWI conviction also comes with a permanent criminal record. This can lead to auto insurance companies labeling you as a high-risk driver and charging exorbitant premiums.

Your conviction will come up on every background check, whether that be from a potential employer or landlord.

Also, a boating while intoxicated conviction counts as a drunk driving conviction for the purposes of repeat offenses. Which means that, upon a future arrest for driving while intoxicated, the state will charge you with a second offense DWI.

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Hiring a Texas BWI lawyer is the best way to protect your legal rights and improve the potential outcome of your case.

A Plano BWI attorney can investigate your case and negotiate with the prosecutor for a reduction or dismissal of your charges. He might be able to prove that your inability to operate your boat carefully was simply the result of being out in the sun all day or that you had a medical condition that caused a false positive on your breathalyzer. If it comes down to taking your case to court, we can mount the strongest possible case in your defense.

Call today for a FREE consultation with a BWI attorney in Plano.

For any criminal charge, you need an advocate to protect your legal rights and help you make the best choices for your case. Randall Isenberg has 30 years’ experience as a felony prosecutor, District Court trial judge, and defense lawyer. That is exactly the type of experience you need in a criminal defense lawyer.

Contact the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg to schedule a complimentary consultation and case review, or to talk to a BWI lawyer in Plano: 214-696-9253.

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Your second DWI conviction means mandatory jail time, a significant fine, and the suspension of your driver’s license for up to two years. You will also have a permanent criminal record as a repeat offender. While you may have been able to accept your fate on the first offense DWI charge, you cannot afford to do so this time.

A second offense DWI lawyer in Plano can help protect your legal rights and fight for your future. By helping you understand your options and building a strong case for your defense, the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg can work to ensure the best possible outcome for you.

Give us a call today: 214-696-9253.

What are the penalties for a second offense DWI in Plano?

Depending on the outcome of your case, you may have gotten out of your first DWI conviction without jail time or a lengthy suspension of your driver’s license.

That is not likely to happen the second time around.

In Texas, a first offense DWI is a Class B misdemeanor. A second offense DWI is a Class A misdemeanor, which carries much harsher penalties.

If your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was between 0.08 and 0.149, penalties may include:

• Jail time of 30 days to 1 year
• Monetary fine up to $4,000
• Driver’s license suspension of 6 months to 2 years
• Probation
• Community service
• Substance abuse counseling/rehab
• Alcohol awareness driving course
• Ignition interlock device

If the Texas Department of Public Safety (TxDPS) previously suspended your license for DWI, you are not eligible for an occupational driver’s license for 90 days. Restoring your driver’s license (when you do become eligible) costs up to $2,000 per year for three years. You must also install an ignition interlock device on any vehicle that you own.

How should I plead to a second offense DWI?

How you plead depends on the circumstances of your case; however, because the potential penalties are so severe, you should never enter a plea for a repeat offense DWI without consulting an attorney.

Remember that even a seemingly incriminating BAC test result is not a conviction. Randall B. Isenberg can evaluate the evidence in your case and identify potential areas to challenge. We can explain your options and help you consider the potential consequences of each one.

Typically, your options include the following.

Guilty Plea

Pleading guilty puts you at the mercy of the court for sentencing, and ensures you a permanent record as a repeat offender.

Plea Bargain

If your lawyer can identify potential holes in the prosecution’s case, the prosecutor may consider reduced charges in exchange for a guilty plea.

Go to Court

If the prosecutor does not consider reduced charges, going to court may provide the best opportunity for resolution.

Dismissal of Charges

Your attorney will push hard for this option throughout the process, whenever possible, as it is the best possible outcome for your case.

How do I get my driver’s license back after a second offense DWI?

Every Texas DWI case involves two different proceedings — one criminal and one civil. Neither has any effect on the other.

TxDPS conducts the civil proceeding known as the Administrative License Revocation (ALR) hearing process. It begins at the time of your traffic stop when a police officer confiscates your driver’s license and issues you a temporary driving permit.

You or your attorney must request an ALR hearing in writing, within 15 days of your arrest. If you do not request or appear for your hearing, TxDPS will suspend your license.

When you appear for your ALR hearing, having your DWI lawyer with you is important. You will likely need to testify under oath, which means the prosecution can — and will — use any statements you make against you in your criminal case.

However, the arresting officer in your case will also appear and testify under oath. This provides your attorney with the opportunity to question the officer on the stand, to learn more about the facts of your DWI stop and arrest.

This provides key insights that can help your attorney build a case in your defense, should your case proceed to court.

What can a second offense DWI lawyer do for me?

A DWI DUI Criminal Defense Lawyer in Plano can provide a critical level of support and counsel. An attorney can also protect and preserve your legal rights throughout your drunk driving case.

A local DWI attorney brings knowledge of the law and familiarity with the Plano court system. By exploring the evidence in your case, your lawyer can identify areas of weakness that open the door to defending you in court. And because Randall has experience as a judge, felony prosecutor, and a defense attorney, he has intimate knowledge of what to look for.

Some potential areas of argument include the following:

The Elements of Texas DWI

The prosecution must prove that you violated the Texas DWI statute, consisting of three elements: that you were intoxicated by legal definition; that you were operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated; and that you were doing so in a public place.

We might argue that while you were intoxicated, you were not operating a vehicle, or that you were in a public place but you were not intoxicated.

Probable Cause

The police officer who made your traffic stop must have had a reasonable suspicion that you were intoxicated. To arrest you and request chemical BAC testing, the officer must have had probable cause. The officer must establish probable cause within the guidelines established by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for field sobriety testing or portable roadside breath testing.

Chemical BAC Evidence

Officers must have obtained and processed the evidence provided by chemical testing (typically breath or blood) in accordance with the NHTSA testing procedures as well as the Texas BAC testing requirements.

Using these or other defense arguments, your attorney can potentially negotiate with the prosecutor or the judge for a reduction or dismissal of your charges.

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Contact a Plano second offense DWI lawyer now.

A second offense DWI conviction can significantly impact your life. Trust a local drunk driving lawyer to assist you at this challenging time.

The Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg provides free consultations and case reviews for Texas DWI charges. Contact us today to speak to a second offense DWI lawyer in Plano: 214-696-9253.

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In Texas, a conviction for solicitation, prostitution, or another sex crime can ruin your life — both legally and socially. Understanding your options in light of these serious charges pending against you will help you make the right choices for your future. When you feel that you are all alone in this mess, a prostitution and sex crime lawyer in Plano can be your advocate and the voice of reason that helps you through.

Your criminal defense attorney can help ensure the protection of your legal rights and build a case with which to defend you in court. For a free consultation in Plano, call the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg: 214-696-9253.

What are solicitation, prostitution, and sex crimes in Texas?

The Texas Penal Code lays out the definitions and potential consequences of Plano prostitution and sex crimes. Some of the most common sex crimes charges in Plano involve prostitution, solicitation, and promotion of prostitution.

Prostitution

The statutes define prostitution as agreeing to or knowingly engaging in sexual conduct for a fee. The statutes are clear that the fee need not be legal tender.

Solicitation

The statutes define solicitation as offering a fee for sexual contact. It is not necessary for any money to change hands or for physical contact to occur. The party must simply suggest this arrangement or agree to participate in it.

Promoting Prostitution

Promoting prostitution occurs when a third party shares in the fee procured through an act of prostitution. These charges could apply to the owner of an escort service or any individual who controls a prostitute or who solicits or arranges for an act of prostitution to occur.

Other Sex Crimes

Among the many other types of sex crimes outlined in the Texas Penal Code, some of the most serious include child pornography, sexual assault, and aggravated sexual assault.

The statutes also include public lewdness and indecent exposure, which are no less serious in the eyes of the law.

Because the statutes are complex, especially with regard to penalties, hiring a Plano sex crimes lawyer offers you the best chance of making the right choice in your case. Your attorney can explain the charges pending against you and help you understand the potential consequences.

Can you go to jail for solicitation or prostitution in Texas?

Every potential charge for Texas sex crimes carries potential time in jail or state prison, along with monetary fines and other penalties that the prosecutor may seek.

The state charges basic solicitation and prostitution crimes as Class B misdemeanors. However, a variety of special circumstances can elevate the charges to a Class A misdemeanor or felony charge. Increased penalties usually come with repeat offenses and the attempt to solicit a minor (a person under the age of 18 years) for prostitution.

You will also face Class A misdemeanor charges for promoting prostitution. Promoting prostitution for more than one person is a third-degree felony known as prostitution enterprise. If any prostitutes are under 18 years of age, the charges are a first-degree felony.

The statutory penalties established for each of these charges are as follows:

Charge Level	Plano Sex Crimes Attorney Near Me (214) 696-9253 Monetary Fine	Click to contact our Sex Crimes Lawyers today (214) 696-9253 Incarceration
Class B Misdemeanor	$2,000	up to 6 months
Class A Misdemeanor	$4,000	up to 1 year
State Jail Felony	$10,000	6 months to 2 years
Third-Degree Felony	$10,000	2 to 10 years
Second-Degree Felony	$10,000	2 to 20 years
First-Degree Felony	$10,000	5 to 99 years or life

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Do you have to register as a sex offender?

Per the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, anyone convicted of a reportable offense must register as a sex offender with the Texas Department of Public Safety (TxDPS). You must also register with the law enforcement entity where you live.

In Plano, you must register with the Plano Police Department (PPD).

Once you have registered, anyone can search the TxDPS public sex offender database as well as the interactive map and offender list maintained on the City of Plano website.

Whether you must register after a prostitution or sex crime conviction depends on your crime and the terms of your sentence. We can tell you if you are required to register, and whether you qualify as a Level One, Level Two, or Level Three sex offender.

Many sex crime convictions in Texas require that you remain active in the registry for the rest of your life.

At any time during your sentence, TxDPS may make you report for a risk assessment to help determine how much of a threat you are to the community. This embarrassing process requires that you sit before a seven-person panel and answer questions regarding your sexual history and proclivities.

Do you need a prostitution or sex crime lawyer?

Upon conviction for Texas solicitation, prostitution or sex crimes charges, you will face the jail time and fines described above. You must register as sex offender in most cases, even if you never engaged in sexual contact with anyone.

You will face housing discrimination, because U.S. Fair Housing standards allow property managers to discriminate against sex offenders. Many employers also have legal grounds to deny you a job.

Based on your charges, you may never have custody of your children or have unsupervised visits with them.

No, you are not legally required to have an attorney. However, is this the future you want to face? If not, the only way to overcome this challenge is to fight the charges pending against you.

Being arrested and charged with prostitution or a sex crime is never a guaranteed conviction — although your community’s response to your situation may feel that way.

Having a Plano prostitution or sex crimes lawyer defend you is the only way to ensure protection of your legal rights. Your lawyer can make sure you understand your options and that you receive fair treatment throughout the legal process.

We will examine your case and determine the best defense for the crimes the state has accused you of.

Call the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg today.

The Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg provides professional representation for clients charged with sex crimes of all types. We will fight diligently on your behalf to have the charges dismissed or reduced or, if necessary, we will do what it takes to fight your case in court.

Call us today to schedule a free consultation and case review, or to speak with a prostitution and sex crimes lawyer in Plano: 214-696-9253.

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