Drinking and driving is strictly prohibited in the state of Texas. For drivers under the age of 21, being caught driving with any measurable amount of alcohol in your system can result in a DUI arrest and charge.
The penalties for a DUI conviction can include fees, a license suspension, and more. No matter how old you are, a DUI conviction can upend your life, both now and in the future.
Fortunately, you do not need to face these charges alone. A Duncanville under 21 DUI lawyer from the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg may be able to defend your rights and guide you through the legal process.
For a free consultation on your case with a member of our team, call the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg today at (214) 696-9253.
Charges for Intoxicated Driving in Texas
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), if a police officer has reason to suspect that someone is driving drunk, they are allowed to pull that driver over and demand a breathalyzer and/or a blood test. Refusing to take these tests may carry its own penalties. This is true for adults and minors alike.
Drivers under the age of 21 are not allowed to have any alcohol in their system while driving. Any amount of measurable blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is illegal for an underage driver and may result in a DUI charge, per Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code §106.041.
For adults 21 years of age and over, the legal BAC limit is 0.08%. An adult driver with a BAC of 0.08% or more may be charged with driving while intoxicated (DWI). This is a separate charge from DUI. However, in some cases, the police may choose to charge an underage driver with DWI instead of DUI. The Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg also defends underage clients charged with DWI.
The Penalties for Under 21 DUI
The penalties for a first DUI conviction may include:
- Paying a fine of up to $500
- Performing community service for 20 to 40 hours
- Having your license suspended for 60 days
With every DUI conviction, the penalties may increase. By the third DUI conviction, you could face penalties such as:
- Paying a fine of up to $2,000
- 180 days in jail
Living without a driver’s license can make it difficult to get to school, work, or social gatherings. You may have to rely on public transportation or rides from friends and family. A DUI conviction may also appear on your record. This could impact your ability to find a job, rent an apartment, and have academic consequences as well.
To learn more about defending yourself from DUI charges with the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg, call us today at (214) 696-9253. A representative of our firm can go over your options and our services in a free initial consultation.
How a Lawyer Can Defend Your Rights
Being arrested is always frightening, especially when the potential consequences are as serious as they are in DUI cases. When you work with the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg, we can design a strategy for your defense and help you understand your options at every stage of your case.
In general, a Duncanville under 21 DUI lawyer from our firm may be able to:
Investigate Your Case
We can conduct our own investigation into your case and how the police treated you during your arrest. Evidence may include:
- Witness statements
- Witness recordings
- Surveillance video
- Police reports
If there are any discrepancies or instances of misconduct, we may be able to use it in your defense.
Scrutinize the Evidence Against You
The Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg can scrutinize the prosecution’s evidence against you. If your DUI charge was based on the results of a breathalyzer test, we may be able to examine the calibration of the equipment or the qualifications of the operator. If you made damaging statements during your arrest that the prosecution wants to use against you, but you were not read your Miranda rights, we may be able to have this evidence dismissed.
Attempt to Get Your Charges Dismissed
If our investigation shows that the arrest did not happen as the police claim or that the police did not follow proper procedure when arresting you, we can request a complete dismissal of all charges. For example, if we can prove that the arresting officer did not have probable cause for pulling you over in the first place, any charges that came afterward may be irrelevant.
Attempt to Get Your Charges Reduced
If we cannot get the charges dismissed, we may be able to argue for a lesser charge with less severe penalties.
Advocate for You
The Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg can do everything in our power to ensure your case is handled properly. We can also provide you with confidential legal advice and discuss all possible outcomes of our case. Our team can be available to answer your questions and provide you with important updates throughout our work together.
Call the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg Today
The Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg believes that everyone deserves legal representation, and everyone is innocent until proven guilty. Our main goal is to see that you receive fair and equitable treatment from the justice system, regardless of the charges against you.
Randall B. Isenberg has more than 30 years of experience in law and a career as both a former Senior Chief Felony Prosecutor and State District Trial Judge. Today, he dedicates his practice to criminal defense.
To learn more about working with a Duncanville under 21 DUI lawyer from the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg on your case, call us today at (214) 696-9253. A member of our team can answer your questions and discuss your legal options during your free initial consultation.
