If you hold a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), a Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) conviction will not only disrupt your personal life, but it can also strip away your ability to earn a living.

Upon your first drunk driving conviction, you may lose your commercial license for a full year. Get a second DWI, and you might lose your CDL for good. Also, you will face significant monetary fines and the possibility of jail time.

The Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg understands how badly a drunk driving conviction could affect your life and your job. With more than three decades of experience in the Texas criminal justice system, criminal defense attorney Randall B. Isenberg knows how to build a compelling case in your defense.

We offer a free consultation to answer your questions. Call 214-696-9253 to set up a consultation with a commercial DWI lawyer in McKinney.

How Will a Commercial DWI Conviction Affect Your Life?

Upon conviction for a commercial DWI, the severity of the penalties you will face depends on the circumstances of your arrest. If your arrest occurred while you were driving a personal (non-commercial) vehicle, you would face a class B misdemeanor charge, punishable by up to six months in jail and a $2,000 fine – assuming your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) tested between 0.08 and 0.149.

If your BAC tested at 0.15 or above, you will face a class A misdemeanor, punishable by a $4,000 fine and up to one year in jail. You must also attend an alcohol safety awareness course.

Also, the judge may impose the following restrictions:

• Supervised probation
• Community service
• Substance abuse counseling
• Installation of a mechanical interlock device on your vehicles

If your arrest occurred while you were driving a commercial vehicle, you would face the same charges and penalties. However, you qualify for commercial DWI arrest if your BAC tested at 0.04 or above, as compared to the 0.08 standard for driving a non-commercial vehicle.

No matter what type of vehicle you drove while under the influence, you will also face disqualification penalties if you hold a CDL. Likewise, you will encounter disqualification if you had any detectable level of illegal drugs or controlled substances in your system.

How Will Commercial DWI Disqualification Penalties Affect You?

In McKinney, a suspension of a commercial driver’s license is known as disqualification.

The Texas Transportation Code (TTC) defines the concept of disqualification as the suspension of a CDL, in essence disqualifying you from driving a commercial vehicle for the term of your punishment.

Upon a first offense commercial DWI conviction, you will lose your license for one year. If you refuse to submit to Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) testing, you will also face a one-year disqualification. If you had hazardous materials onboard your commercial vehicle, you would face a three-year disqualification.

Upon a second offense commercial DWI conviction, you will face permanent disqualification. You will also meet permanent disqualification if you committed a felony drug offense in a commercial vehicle or if you transported unregistered immigrants.

Finally, if you refuse chemical testing for BAC after you have one DWI conviction, you will face a permanent disqualification of your CDL.

Like a non-commercial DWI offense, the formal decision on your CDL disqualification comes from the Administrative License Revocation (ALR) proceedings.

Does a Commercial DWI Require an ALR Hearing?

Whenever you face DWI charges, you must request an ALR hearing, also called the DMV or suspended license hearing, if you wish to argue the suspension of your driver’s license.

Separate from the criminal aspect of your case, ALR is an administrative (civil) proceeding overseen by an administrative law judge. During the hearing, you and the arresting officer in your case offer sworn testimony about your arrest. Using this testimony to determine the merits of the case, the judge rules on whether (and for how long) to disqualify your commercial driver’s license.

This hearing has further bearing on your case in two critical ways.

First, the criminal prosecutor can use any testimony given during the ALR hearing against you in your criminal DWI case. Consequently, having legal representation for this proceeding is a significant way to protect you from making self-incriminating statements.

This hearing also provides your legal team with crucial insights into the strength of the prosecution’s case and helps inform the building of your criminal defense case.

How Will Your Commercial DWI Lawyer Help You?

If you want to fight for your right to keep your CDL and your job, talk to a commercial DWI lawyer in McKinney about your options.

At the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg, we understand how frightening and confusing this process can be, and we are committed to working tirelessly on your behalf, to protect your commercial driver’s license and your right to earn a living. One mistake doesn’t have to change your life: 214-696-9253.

Our legal team will begin by carefully analyzing the evidence in your case. We will look primarily for any errors made by the police and any potential violations of your legal rights. We can use this information as leverage for negotiating with the prosecutor to get your charges reduced or even dismissed.

We will answer all your questions and help you explore all your options. We will protect your legal rights and represent you for both the ALR hearing and the criminal proceedings.

We will establish our legal strategies based on the evidence and facts of your case. Some of the most common criminal defense strategies for a commercial DWI case include arguing that the police did not have reasonable suspicion to pull you over or that they lacked probable cause to arrest you and subject you to chemical testing for BAC.

Throughout the process, we will be there for you, helping you achieve the best possible outcome in your case and helping you make the best possible choices for your future.

Click to contact our Commercial DWI Lawyers today

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Talk to a Commercial DWI Lawyer in McKinney Today at No Cost

The Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg offer a free consultation and case review for commercial DWI defense clients in McKinney. We will take the time to listen and answer your questions so that you can make informed decisions regarding your case.

Mr. Isenberg has worked as both a state district court judge and a chief felony prosecutor, in addition to his work as a criminal defense attorney and he gets case results. This unique and extensive background offers unique insight as to how the prosecutor will build a case against you.

Contact us today at 214-696-9253 to learn more or to schedule your complimentary consultation.

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Although boating while intoxicated (BWI) might sound like a reasonably mild offense, this crime carries the same penalties as a drunk driving charge. In fact, you will face the same monetary fines and potential jail time as you would for a DWI conviction. You can also lose your driver’s license, just as you would for drunk driving.

For that reason, you have to take boating while intoxicated charges as seriously as you would a DWI. The Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg helps McKinney clients who face BWI charges by protecting their legal rights and building the most robust possible case in their defense.

Call a boating while intoxicated (BWI) lawyer in McKinney today at 214-696-9253 for a no-cost, no-obligation consultation and case review.

Will You Go to Jail for a Boating While Intoxicated (BWI) Conviction?

The Texas Penal Code (TPC) establishes the definition of intoxication as having a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or above. If you operate a boat or watercraft in that impaired state, the police can arrest you.

Technically, the police do not require any BAC testing evidence to place you under arrest. If an officer judges you to lack control of your physical or mental capabilities – because of alcohol or drug use – they can arrest you and press charges.

As for what constitutes “boating,” the statutes specifically list motor boats, jet skis (personal watercraft), seaplanes, sailboats, and water skis, as well as any vessel designed to transport people on the water. The only exceptions are those watercraft or devices that move based on water currents alone such as an inner tube or inflatable float.

For a first-offense boating while intoxicated charge, you will face a Class B misdemeanor charge. Upon conviction, you must spend a minimum of three days in jail; however, the court can give you as much as six months. You will also face a fine of up to $2,000.

Upon arrest for a second-offense BWI, you will face a Class A misdemeanor charge, which carries a minimum of 30 days in jail, with the possibility of a one-year sentence in the county jail. You will face a fine of up to $4,000.

For a third (or subsequent) boating while intoxicated offense, you will face a third-degree felony charge. A conviction for a third-degree felony carries a mandatory minimum of two years in prison, with the possibility of a ten-year sentence and a $10,000 fine.

The judge may also give you community supervision (supervised probation) and community service, and require you to attend substance counseling and boating safety classes all at your own expense. If your BAC registered at 0.15 or higher, if anyone sustained an injury, or if the police witnessed you displaying reckless boating, you will face more severe felony BWI charges.

In addition to these severe penalties, a BWI conviction will remain on your record permanently, just as a DWI does. You can also lose your driver’s license for up to two years.

How Does a BWI Conviction Affect Your Driver’s License?

Upon arrest for a Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charge, you must attend an administrative (civil) hearing to determine how long the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) will suspend your driver’s license. When the police arrest you on a BWI charge, you must go through the same process as the Administrative License Revocation (ALR) hearing.

From the date of your arrest, you have 15 days to request a hearing. If you fail to schedule your hearing, DPS will suspend your license even if the prosecutor drops the charges.

At the hearing, both you and the arresting officer must give sworn testimony before an administrative law judge. At the conclusion of the hearing, if the judge believes the case has merit, he or she can suspend your license.

At the end of the suspension period, you must pay a fee of up to $2,000 to reactivate your license. You must also pay this surcharge every year for three years to keep your license in good standing.

How Will Your Boating While Intoxicated (BWI) Lawyer in McKinney Build Your Case?

When you trust the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg to defend you in a boating while intoxicated case, we will carefully analyze the facts and evidence that pertain to your arrest. This allows us to develop the most effective legal strategies for your defense.

Because a BWI charge bears many similarities to a drunk driving offense, our legal team may use legal strategies similar to those we use to defend DWI clients. However, BWI has some crucial differences. Because every case is different, we can’t offer blanket answers. Call us to review your specific details.

Let us take a standard example for reference. The police must have reasonable suspicion that you broke the law before they can pull your car over. In the case of a BWI offense, water safety patrol officers can board your boat at any time to conduct a “safety check” even if you were not doing anything wrong.

The police must, however, establish probable cause before administering a field sobriety test. The presence of alcohol on your boat may not be sufficient for determining probable cause because, in Texas, passengers on a watercraft may legally have an open container.

When administering a field sobriety test for BWI, the police must follow the regulations established by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA). This test, known as seated standardized field sobriety testing, is as subjective as the field sobriety test used for DWI, which may provide a potential challenge that our legal team can leverage in your defense.

After the police arrest you, they will transport you for a chemical BAC test, which may be a:

• Breathalyzer test
• Blood test
• Urine test

Our legal team will carefully analyze the evidence in your case in search of errors made by the police or BAC testing personnel. Any such problem can serve as a basis for negotiating the prosecutor for a reduction or dismissal of the charges. Or, if your case does proceed to trial, we can use this information in court to establish reasonable doubt of your guilt.

Talk to a Boating While Intoxicated (BWI) Lawyer in McKinney for Free

Before entering a guilty plea or giving a statement to the police or prosecutor, call the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg to learn what other options you may have.

Attorney Randall Isenberg has more than 30 years’ experience in the Texas criminal justice system, serving as a state judge and felony prosecutor as well as a criminal defense attorney. Our legal team can answer your questions and explain your options so that you can make the best possible decision for your future.

We offer a free case review and consultation to clients facing BWI in McKinney. Contact us today at 214-696-9253 to schedule an appointment.

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Conviction for an underage DWI in McKinney means a substantial fine, suspension of your driver’s license, and the possibility of a jail sentence. As harsh as these penalties may sound, they are not the worst part.

In Texas, a conviction will remain on your record permanently without the possibility of having your record sealed or expunged. This means you will struggle to find affordable car insurance. It can prevent you from getting into a good school or qualifying for student loans. Potential employers and landlords may deny your application for a job or apartment.

Before you make any decisions about your case, talk to an underage DWI lawyer in McKinney to learn about your options.

At the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg, we offer no-cost, no-obligation legal consultations for clients under the age of 21 who face drunk driving charges. Call our office today at 214-696-9253 for help.

Why Is It Important for You to Have an Underage DWI Lawyer?

Having a criminal defense lawyer can benefit clients of any age. However, for an underage driver facing a drunk driving charge, having qualified legal counsel can help you overcome a potentially life-changing event. With the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg on your side, you will have the full benefit of our knowledge and resources working for your future.

We will protect your legal rights and ensure you receive all the legal privileges the law allows. We will answer your questions and explore your options with you so you can make the most informed choice for your future.

Our legal team will put all our resources to work as we analyze the evidence in your case. We will look for any potential police errors or violations of your legal rights. We can then use that information to negotiate with the prosecutor to get your charges reduced or dismissed.

If we decide together that taking your case to court is the best option, we will work tirelessly to build the strongest possible defense for you.

What Are the Penalties for an Underage DWI?

If you are convicted of an underage DWI in McKinney, you will face the same penalties as someone age 21 or over would face.

The Texas Penal Code imposes the same penalties on everyone, no matter how old they are. For a first offense, the charges you face depend on your blood alcohol concentration (BAC), your prior criminal record, and any aggravating circumstances present at the time of your arrest.

To incur a DWI charge, your BAC must register at least 0.08, and you must have driven in a public location. For a first offense, you will face Class B misdemeanor charges, unless there were aggravating circumstances in your case.

If you are convicted of a Class B misdemeanor, state law allows for penalties that include:

• Up to 6 months in jail;
• Fines of up to $2,000; and
• License suspension of up to 1 year.

For a second offense, you will face Class A misdemeanor charges. Upon conviction, this offense includes the following penalties:

• Up to 1 year in jail;
• Monetary fines of up to $4,000; and
• License suspension up to 2 years.

For a third offense, you will face felony DWI charges that carry as much as 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

If you had any aggravating circumstances, the prosecutor can pursue more serious charges. Aggravating circumstances may include any of the following factors:

• A BAC of 0.15 or above;
• Having a minor passenger—age 14 or younger—in your car;
• Providing alcohol to a minor; and
• Having an open alcohol container in your car.

If you drove drunk and caused an accident—especially if the accident led to property damage, bodily injuries, or a fatality—you will likely face much more serious criminal charges.

In addition to these harsh penalties, you will have to attend an alcohol education course. The judge may also require you to seek counseling for alcohol abuse. You may also receive probation and community service and have to pay to install an ignition interlock on your vehicle.

Is Underage DUI Different Than Underage DWI in Texas?

In Texas, a DUI is not the same as an underage DWI.

Under rules from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC), anyone who has not reached age 21 will face DUI charges if they test positive for having any trace of alcohol in their system. However, an underage driver with a BAC of 0.08 or above may face DWI charges, just as an older driver would.

The police can also arrest you for underage DWI if you have a sufficient quantity of illegal drugs or controlled substances in your body.

What Legal Strategies Will an Underage DWI Lawyer Use?

Our legal team will build a criminal defense strategy based on the facts and evidence of your case.

For example, we may be able to argue that the police lacked reasonable suspicion for stopping your car, or that they did not establish proof that you were intoxicated before arresting you. These situations would indicate a lack of probable cause.

We can also evaluate the breathalyzer and blood testing used to establish your BAC. If the police or testing technician failed to follow any of the established guidelines and requirements, we can fight to have the resulting evidence disallowed in court.

Our legal team will also represent you during the Administrative License Revocation (ALR) process. At your ALR suspended license hearing, we will represent you to protect your legal rights and ensure you do not provide any testimony the prosecutor can use against you. We can fight to retain your driver’s license. If the ALR judge elects to suspend your license, we can petition the court for an occupational license that will allow you to drive to work and school and handle other important personal matters.

Click to contact our Underage DWI Lawyers today

(214) 696-9253

Speak to an Underage DWI Lawyer in McKinney Today for Free.

The Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg would like to offer you a free consultation to discuss your case and help you understand your options.

The prosecutor may try to convince you that pleading guilty will make the problem go away more quickly. However, once you enter a guilty plea, you will be stuck with the negative consequences of a conviction.

Contact us today to discuss your case and learn more about your options. Call our office at (214) 800-5859 to get started.

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(214) 696-9253

Texas takes a tough stance on drunk driving, particularly for repeat offenders. A second offense DWI will put you behind bars, potentially for a year. You will also face a substantial fine and lose your driver’s license, potentially for as long as two years. Once you have a DWI conviction on your record, you cannot afford a subsequent conviction. Talking to a second offense DWI lawyer in McKinney will help you understand the implications of the charges you face. It will also give you the opportunity to review your options, so you can make the right choice for yourself, your family, and your future.

At the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg, our criminal defense team understands the importance of exploring all potential options that could help you avoid another drunk driving conviction.

Call us today at (214) 800-5859 to learn how we can help you.

How Much Jail Time Will You Get for a Second Offense DWI?

The Texas Penal Code allows some first-time drunk driving offenders to avoid jail time, depending on the circumstances of the case and the benevolence of the prosecutor.

Commit a second-offense DWI, however, and you may not be so lucky.

For a basic second-offense DWI — meaning your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was under 0.15, and you had no aggravating circumstances associated with your violation — you will face Class A misdemeanor charges.

Under state law, a Class A misdemeanor conviction carries fines of up to $4,000 and between 30 days to one year in jail, with a mandatory jail sentence of 72 hours.

You will lose your driver’s license for as long as two years. To restore your license, you must pay a fee. You must also pay a substantial yearly fee for several years to keep your license active.

In addition, the court may impose supervised probation, hours of community service, alcohol abuse counseling, or even rehab—all of which you must pay for. The judge may also require that you install ignition interlock devices on all of your vehicles.

How Can a Second Offense DWI Lawyer Help Your Case?

When facing a second offense DWI charge, a criminal defense lawyer can help you explore your options and understand your legal rights. In fact, you should never provide a statement to the police or enter a plea until you consult with a lawyer.

In McKinney, Attorney Randy Isenberg, of the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg, provides aggressive representation for clients accused of repeat drunk driving offenses.

Our legal team will analyze the details of your case to determine the most appropriate legal defense strategies for you. We know that, even if the prosecutor has BAC testing results that appear to substantiate your guilt, a conviction is never inevitable.

To obtain a conviction, the prosecutor must prove that you met the legal standard for intoxication at the time you drove your car. The Texas Department of Public Safety (TxDPS) imposes standards governing testing for BAC. If the breathalyzer and blood testing procedures used in your case failed to meet these stringent standards, we can use this argument to bolster your defense.

We may also have reason to argue that the police lacked reasonable suspicion to pull you over for DWI, or that they failed to establish probable cause to place you under arrest. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) standards for field sobriety testing dictate the procedures and equipment that officers must use. If the police violated any of these standards in your case, our legal team can use this to your advantage.

Any problems or weaknesses that our legal team identifies will allow us to negotiate with the prosecutor for reduced charges or, potentially, the dismissal of your case. If we must go to court to defend you, we can use these strategies to build the strongest possible defense.

Throughout the process, we will protect your legal rights and help ensure the best possible outcome for you.

How Does a Second Offense DWI Conviction Affect Your Driver’s License?

As you likely recall from your first drunk driving case, you must attend a separate proceeding to determine what happens to your driver’s license.

The TxDPS conducts the Administrative License Revocation (ALR) process. During your ALR suspended license hearing, an administrative law judge will use evidence to determine the length of your driver’s license suspension.

At the time of your arrest for drunk driving, the police will take your license and issue you a temporary permit to drive. Within 15 days of your arrest, you must schedule your ALR hearing; otherwise, TxDPS will automatically revoke your license.

At the ALR hearing, you and the arresting officer will give sworn testimony. It is important to note that the prosecutor can use any testimony you provide against you in your criminal case. However, the officer’s testimony may offer insight into the strength of the prosecution’s evidence against you.

As for your driving privileges, you stand to lose your license for two years for a second offense DWI.

For these reasons, you should consider the importance of having legal representation. If the judge elects to suspend your license, our legal team can appeal the suspension or, as an alternative, petition the court to grant you an occupational license. An occupational license will allow you to drive to work, to school, and to complete necessary errands.

Consult a Second Offense DWI Lawyer in McKinney for Free.

Before you make any decisions about your pending charges, take the time to talk to a second offense DWI lawyer about your case.

To help our clients understand the implications of this serious offense, the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg offers no-cost, no-obligation consultations. We will take the time to answer your questions and tell you more about how we may be able to help you.

Contact us today at (214) 800-5859 to schedule your complimentary case review.

Call or text or complete a Free Case Evaluation form

(214) 696-9253

In McKinney, the legal system takes all drunk driving crimes seriously, even a first offense DWI. If you are convicted of your first DWI, you will have to pay a substantial fine and potentially spend time in jail. You will also lose your driver’s license for up to one year.

If your offense involved any aggravating factors, you may not be able to avoid going to jail once you plead guilty or the prosecutor gets a conviction in court. A first offense DWI lawyer in McKinney can help you protect your future if you are facing charges.

At the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg, Attorney Randy Isenberg puts more than 30 years of experience in the Texas criminal justice system to work for clients facing their first criminal charge for DWI.

You do not have to face this experience alone. Contact us today at 214-696-9253 for help.

What Penalties Will You Face for a First Offense DWI Charge?

The Texas statutes set the charges for a first offense DWI as a Class B misdemeanor, if your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was between 0.08 and 0.149.

Under state law, a conviction for a Class B misdemeanor carries up to six months in jail. You will also face a fine of up to $2,000, and you could lose your driver’s license for up to one year.

However, if your BAC tested at 0.15 or higher, you will face Class A misdemeanor charges. This increases the potential jail time to as much as one year with a fine as high as $4,000.

The judge can also impose community service and supervised probation. You will have to attend an alcohol safety class, and you may need to go to rehab or undergo substance abuse counseling—all at your own expense. You may also have to install a breathalyzer-type ignition locking device on your car.

If you had an open container of alcohol, you were driving with a minor age 14 or younger in your car, or if you caused a DWI accident resulting in damages, injuries, or a fatality, you could face even harsher penalties.

A conviction stays on your record permanently. This means your car insurance costs will soar. It may also disqualify you from getting some jobs or holding a professional license.

How Can a Lawyer Help?

Before you decide to answer questions from the police or enter a guilty plea on drunk driving charges, set up a free consultation with a member of the criminal defense team at the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg.

We understand how a DWI conviction can affect your life. We want to make sure you know all your options before making a decision that could profoundly disrupt your future.

With experience as a state district court judge, chief felony prosecutor, and criminal defense lawyer, Randy Isenberg understands how the Texas criminal justice system works. His unique insight into how prosecutors build a case allows him to identify potential errors and violations of your legal rights. Using this information, we may be able to negotiate with the prosecutor to get your charges dismissed or reduced.

What Strategies Will Your Lawyer Use to Fight DWI Charges?

We will begin by analyzing the evidence in your case, including the police report and breathalyzer and blood test results for BAC. If, for example, the police did not establish reasonable suspicion before pulling you over, we may succeed in having the traffic stop declared illegal.

Once the police pull you over, they must establish probable cause of your intoxication before making an arrest and asking you to submit to breathalyzer or blood testing. In most cases, officers use a field sobriety test to establish probable cause. However, if the arresting officer failed to follow federal standards for this type of testing, we can argue that the police had no probable cause to arrest you.

If you submitted to breathalyzer testing after your arrest, those tests must have met state and federal standards, as well. Any deviation from these standards can cause a false positive BAC test result.

Never assume that a breath or blood test result alone can guarantee a conviction. In many cases, our legal team can negotiate a more favorable outcome in your case. If we go to court, we always have the opportunity to present evidence that can potentially disprove the prosecution’s evidence.

What Will Become of Your Driver’s License After Your First DWI Arrest?

A separate proceeding, known as the Administrative License Revocation (ALR) hearing, will determine whether you lose your driver’s license and for how long. Your ALR suspended license hearing takes place independently from your criminal case.

When you are arrested for DWI, the police seize your driver’s license and issue a temporary permit. You have 15 days from the date of your arrest to request a formal ALR hearing. If you fail to request a hearing, your license will be suspended 40 days after your arrest.

On the day of your hearing, an administrative law judge will hear sworn testimony from the arresting officer in your case. The court will also place you under oath and take your testimony. Based on this testimony, the judge will decide the fate of your license.

Our legal team will represent you at the ALR hearing, to ensure you do not provide any testimony that the prosecutor could use to incriminate you in the criminal portion of your case. We will also use this opportunity to question the arresting officer under oath, to determine the strength of the prosecution’s case. If the judge does elect to suspend your license, we can appeal the decision or petition the court to grant you an occupational license, which will allow you to drive to work or school, and tend to any necessary personal business.

Click to contact our First Offense DWI Lawyers today

(214) 696-9253

Schedule a Free Case Review With a First Offense DWI Lawyer in McKinney.

To help you make informed decisions about your case, the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg would like to offer you a complimentary case review. We will answer your questions and ensure you understand your options.

You do not have to face these serious charges on your own. Contact us today at (214) 800-5859 to schedule your appointment.

Call or text or complete a Free Case Evaluation form

(214) 696-9253

If you drove drunk and had an accident or wreck that involved injuries, you could find yourself facing jail or prison time, as well as a substantial fine. In McKinney, causing a DWI accident could lead to felony charges, and you can expect the prosecutor to show no mercy in your case. A DWI involving an accident, wreck, or injury lawyer in McKinney can help you better understand how this will affect your life and your future and explain your options.

At the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg, Attorney Randy Isenberg puts more than 30 years of experience in the Texas criminal justice system to work for you. With experience as a criminal defense lawyer, felony prosecutor, and state judge, he understands the charges you face and the possible outcomes in your case.

Do not try to face these serious charges on your own. Contact our office today at 214-696-9253 for a free legal consultation.

Will a DWI Accident Send Me to Jail?

The Texas Penal Code establishes a variety of serious penalties for drunk driving convictions, depending on your blood alcohol concentration (BAC), your prior criminal record, and the circumstances surrounding your arrest.

If you cause a DWI accident—especially if injuries result—you will face even more serious penalties. These include possible jail or prison time.

A BAC of 0.08 qualifies you for drunk driving charges. If your chemical testing results indicate a BAC of 0.15 or above, you will face more severe penalties. Likewise, you can expect the prosecutor to pursue harsher charges if you have any previous convictions for DWI, intoxication assault, or intoxication manslaughter.

For a first offense DWI with no accident, wreck, or injury, state law imposes a $2,000 fine and up to 180 days in jail. A second offense DWI doubles those penalties, with a $4,000 fine and up to one year in jail.

If your drunk driving incident involved an accident, the situation becomes significantly more dire.

If your accident caused property damage, you could face felony DWI charges. In addition to a drunk driving charge, the prosecutor can tack on additional charges, such as reckless damage or criminal mischief. The severity of these additional charges will depend on the dollar value and type of damages that resulted from the accident.

If you are convicted of a third-degree felony, you face a $10,000 fine and between two and 10 years in prison.

If your accident caused injuries, you will likely face a third-degree felony charge of intoxication assault. If you have a record, or if the prosecutor can identify any aggravating circumstances, you will face a second-degree felony charge. Conviction for a second-degree felony also carries a $10,000 fine, but the potential prison term increases to up to 20 years.

If you caused a drunk driving accident that led to someone’s death, you will likely face intoxication manslaughter charges and a minimum of second-degree felony charges.

In addition to the fines and jail or prison time, a conviction will likely to earn you supervised probation, as well as community service. The court can require you to install—at your own expense—an breath-activated ignition lock on your car. You will have to attend education courses and possibly seek counseling for alcohol abuse.

Finally, you can expect to lose your driver’s license for up to two years. To get your license back at the end of the suspension, you must pay a surcharge and an additional annual fee for several years.

How Can a Lawyer Help Me?

When you face charges as serious as these, you need a DWI lawyer in McKinney who can protect your legal rights and help you navigate the complex Texas criminal justice system.

Attorney Randy Isenberg provides aggressive legal representation for clients who face criminal drunk driving charges. Our legal team understands how frightening and confusing this experience can be, but we urge you to contact a lawyer before you make any decisions that could profoundly affect your future.

We can conduct an in-depth analysis of your case, in search of any potential violations of your legal rights or police errors committed during your arrest. We also scrutinize all the facts and evidence regarding your breathalyzer and blood testing. In many cases, the prosecutor must rely on BAC evidence to substantiate your guilt. However, if the blood or breathalyzer testing evidence in your case has flaws, you could find yourself wrongly convicted.

For example, the breathalyzer testing technician may have lacked the training or certification required. Or, the testing equipment used to substantiate your BAC may have been poorly maintained or calibrated incorrectly. In either case, these factors can affect your case and result in false positive results.

Other potential defense strategies our legal team can explore include challenging the prosecution’s assertion that you caused the accident, or that the accident led to injuries. Even if the prosecutor has sufficient evidence to demonstrate that you committed a DWI offense, that does not necessarily prove that your drunk driving led to a crash.

Any problems or errors in your case can provide our team with powerful negotiating tools and potentially help us get your charges reduced or even dismissed. If your case does proceed to trial, these factors can help us build the strongest possible case for your defense.

Consult With a McKinney DWI Accident Injury Lawyer at No Cost.

Take the time to talk with a criminal defense lawyer before you give any statements to the police or agree to enter a guilty plea. An attorney can help you understand your options. That way, you can make an informed choice about your future.

To help you understand your legal rights, the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg offers no-cost, no-obligation consultations and case reviews for clients facing drunk driving charges in McKinney. Contact us today at 214-696-9253 to schedule your appointment.

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