Underage drivers who face charges of DWI may not always be aware of how serious these charges are or the negative impact they might have. DWI charges are much more serious than DUI charges for young drivers and can carry harsher penalties, fines, and other consequences.
If you or your child is in danger of losing their driver’s license or facing other serious penalties because of a DWI in Irving, we can help. An Irving underage DWI lawyer can help minimize the damage of an arrest or conviction for driving while intoxicated.
Contact the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg by calling (214) 696-9253 for a case review with one of our team members.
Understand the Consequences of an Underage DWI
The city of Irving and the state of Texas take underage drinking and driving seriously. If you are stopped and arrested because Irving police believe you are driving while intoxicated, particularly under the legal definitions of intoxication as imposed by Texas Penal Code Sec. 49.01, the consequences can be harsh.
In Texas, underage drivers can face two distinct charges – DUI and DWI. It is important for underage drivers and their parents to understand the difference between the severity and consequences of these two charges.
The Legal Ramifications of a DUI
It is against the law for drivers under 21 to operate a vehicle after consuming any amount of alcohol at all. DUI is a charge reserved specifically for underage drinking in Texas. A DUI offense is a Class 3 misdemeanor that includes suspension of your driving privileges for 60 days, fines, and community service.
Even as an underage driver, you can be charged with DWI versus DUI, depending on the circumstances of your arrest and at the discretion of the arresting officer.
The Legal Ramifications of a DWI
A DWI is a much more serious offense. For underage drivers, a DWI carries much harsher penalties. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety Driver License Division, underage DWI penalties include:
First Underage DWI Offense (Class B misdemeanor):
- Class B misdemeanor
- $2,000 fine
- Up to 180 days of jail time
- Suspension of driver’s license for 1 year
Second Underage DWI Offense (Class A misdemeanor):
- $4,000 fine
- Up to 1 year of jail time
- Suspension of driver’s license for up to 2 years
Third Underage DWI Offense (third-degree felony):
- Up to a $10,000 fine
- Up to 10 years of prison time
- Suspension of driver’s license for up to 2 years
If you are the parent or guardian of an underage driver who is facing DWI charges (or if you are an underage driver facing charges), our Irving underage DWI lawyers can help. Call the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg at (214) 696-9253. Speak to a team member today about the severity of the charges your son or daughter is facing and how we can help minimize the damage to the record and to their future.
How a Lawyer in Irving Helps Fight Underage DWI Charges
Unlike adult drivers who face arrest if their blood alcohol concentration is .08 or higher, an underage driver can face DWI charges if they have any detectable amount of alcohol in their system according to Texas Penal Code Sec. 106.01.
Because we understand that human error or machine failures can give misleading test results, we check the accuracy of any field test equipment or other machinery used to measure your blood alcohol concentration.
If you are facing the serious consequences of DWI charges as an underage driver, an Irving criminal defense lawyer can help by ensuring every aspect of your arrest was handled correctly. One of the most important things we can do is ensure your arrest met all the necessary legal criteria. We start by ensuring your rights were read to you.
We can also work with the prosecutors to negotiate a plea deal that can reduce the severity of the charges against you. Once the charges against you are reduced, the criminal and financial penalties will be reduced as well. We might also be able to negotiate a plea bargain that allows you to retain your driving privileges or greatly reduce the potential suspension of your driver’s license.
The Aftermath of a DWI Conviction
We can also review the details of your arrest to ensure the police had a legitimate reason for stopping your car in the first place. We go the extra mile for our clients because we understand the legal and social ramifications of a DWI arrest for underage drivers.
In addition to leaving you with a criminal record as an adult, a DWI conviction can prevent you from attending certain colleges, entering certain careers, and can leave a stain on your social life that is difficult to recover from.
We want to help lessen the impact of an error in judgment while also keeping the streets and roads of Irving safe for every driver. When you are ready to fight the DWI charges against you, contact a member of our team to discuss the details of your DWI arrest.
A Lawyer Can Help Retain Your Driving Privileges
If you are an underage driver facing DWI charges, an Irving underage DWI lawyer can help limit the potential damage of a conviction. If you are the parent of an underage driver facing these charges, we can help you protect your child’s future.
More than 30 years of experience, including time as a former prosecutor and state district judge, means Randall Isenberg knows how to fight underage DWI charges and minimize the immediate and future damage a conviction can create. Find help fighting DWI charges by calling the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg at (214) 696-9253 to speak to one of our team members today.
