Being convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) can have a serious, long-term impact on your life. To learn more about your rights, call the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg at (214) 696-9253 and find out what a Balch Springs under 21 DUI lawyer can do for you. The initial consultation costs nothing and will help you better understand your legal options.
Any Amount of Alcohol Can Impede Your Ability to Drive
It does not matter how young you are: drinking and driving is against the law. If anything, Texas law is even stricter when dealing with younger drivers (those under 21) than older ones.
For example, the legal definition of “drunk” is having a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher, as verified by a blood or breathalyzer test. According to the second page of a document released by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), however, a minor may be charged with DUI if any amount of alcohol is detected in their system, whether it reaches the .08 threshold or not.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), such strict laws are justified because of the way alcohol interacts with the human mind and body. A BAC of as little as .02 can affect a driver’s judgment, concentration, and visual function. These symptoms only get worse the more alcohol is consumed.
Because everyone metabolizes alcohol differently, it is not possible to determine a “safe” number of drinks to consume before going out on the road; it is safer to assume that even one drink has left you impaired and that you should not drive.
DUI Penalties and How They Can Impact Your Life
If you have been charged with DUI, the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg would like to help. We can assign you a Balch Springs under 21 DUI lawyer to work closely with you and devise an appropriate plan of defense. Give us a call at (214) 696-9253 to get started.
Your lawyer will do everything possible to protect you from penalties such as the following:
- Losing your license for up to six months
- Paying a fine of up to $500
- Going to an alcohol awareness course, with or without a parent
- Performing community service for up to 40 hours
These are the penalties associated with a first-time DUI offense. Subsequent offenses involve increasingly onerous penalties, including more community service hours and more time without your license.
Although DUI is reserved for drivers under 21, such drivers may instead be charged with DWI (driving while intoxicated). DWI is a more serious charge than DUI. The arresting officer is allowed to judge for themselves the seriousness of the situation and whether a DWI is warranted.
If the arresting officer decides to charge you with DWI, a first-time DWI offense may result in you:
- Losing your license for up to one year
- Paying a fine of up to $2,000
- Going to jail for up to six months
The Long-Term Effects of a DUI Conviction
Any one of the above-mentioned penalties can upend your life. Being forced to pay fines can put you in debt or make it more difficult to pay your regular expenses. Going to jail can also affect your finances or even cost you your job. Losing your license can force you to pay for public transportation or rely on other people to get to school or work.
Finally, whether you are convicted of DUI or DWI, your reputation may suffer irreparable damage. Anyone who looks up your criminal record will see your conviction and may decide to avoid giving you a job or renting you an apartment on that basis. You may also lose the right to vote or own a gun.
Hiring a DUI Lawyer
If you are feeling scared or overwhelmed right now, that is perfectly natural. However, these feelings may interfere with your ability to keep a clear head and defend yourself against the charges.
Legal representation from the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg can take a big weight off your shoulders. A lawyer knows how the system works and how to build a case that judges and juries find persuasive. In addition, just knowing that there is someone who believes in you and is working on your behalf can make your situation feel less bleak.
How we deal with your case will depend on many factors, including the circumstances of your arrest and the evidence against you. However, in general, we may be able to help by:
- Exploring your options: you cannot make good legal decisions if you do not understand your options. Your lawyer will help you weigh the pros and cons of each avenue of defense.
- Conducting our own investigation: we will seek evidence of your innocence and/or police mishandling your case.
- Negotiating for a reduction: if we can get your charges reduced, you may face less jail time, lighter fines, and less or no time without your driver’s license.
- Arguing for a dismissal: if the evidence in your favor is strong enough, we can argue that the case be dropped altogether.
- Representing you at trial: not all cases go to court, but we are certainly willing to go to trial if a satisfactory deal cannot be reached.
- Providing you with legal advice: the law is complicated. If you do not understand any aspect of your case or are not sure what to do, please call us. We are always happy to answer your questions.
Reach Out to the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg
If you are looking for a defense attorney who serves Balch Springs, Texas, call the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg at (214) 696-9253. We offer free consultations to all callers. A Balch Springs under 21 DUI lawyer will do everything possible to preserve your reputation and help you get your life back sooner.
