Getting arrested for driving while intoxicated (DWI) in Fort Worth is a stressful experience. Your life might seem out of control, and you may not be sure what lies ahead. With a conviction, you risk serving jail time, paying fines, and missing time with your family. Yet, even in a dark situation like this, you have options.
A Fort Worth criminal defense attorney from the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg can build a comprehensive case and possibly help you avoid the penalties of a conviction. You do not (and should not) face drunk driving charges on your own. Our legal team will do everything within our power to limit your arrest’s impact on your life.
We are ready to help you avoid a criminal conviction and put this chapter behind you. Call us today for a free initial consultation so we can start working toward a positive outcome.
When Might I Face a DWI Charge in Fort Worth, TX?
You may face a Fort Worth DWI arrest if:
- Your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level was .08% or above; or,
- Your behavior at the time of arrest indicated that you were intoxicated.
Depending on the details of your arrest, you could face additional criminal charges, such as child endangerment, drug possession, and driving on a suspended license. Each of these things could compound the penalties you face, threatening your future and freedom.
By retaining help from our criminal attorneys, you give yourself an opportunity to overcome these charges and continue with your life. By representing yourself (or trusting a public defender with your case), you risk having your life changed as you know it.
Our Criminal Defense Lawyers Protect You From Being Convicted of a DWI
The potential legal consequences of a DWI conviction are serious. According to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), a first-time DWI offender might face:
- A maximum of $2,000 in fines
- 3 days in jail to 6 months in a county jail
- Driver’s license suspension (ranging from 90 days to a year)
- An ignition interlock device in your vehicle
You may face additional jail time or fines if you have an open container or a BAC of .15% or higher. The penalties also increase for repeat offenders. For instance, if you’re convicted of a second-time DWI, you could face:
- Between 30 days and 1 year in a county jail
- A fine of up to $4,000
- The loss of your driver’s license for up to 2 years
- The mandatory installation of an ignition interlock system (if the second DWI occurred within five years of the first)
Our Law Firm Protects Fort Worth Defendants From Felony Charges
Prosecutors charge some DWIs as felony offenses. For instance, if you’re pulled over while intoxicated with a child passenger, penalties could include two years in state prison and a maximum $10,000 fine.
If you’re facing a third-time DWI charge, this is also a felony. Here, you could face a two to 10-year prison sentence, a maximum $10,000 fine, and a driver’s license suspension of up to two years.
Getting arrested for a DWI is one thing. In this situation, you still have the right to clear your name and preserve your reputation. However, once you’re convicted, the offense remains on your criminal record forever. That’s the last thing you want. Yet, with the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg, you give yourself a chance at an acquittal. Without us, you face a long, uphill battle.
You Could Benefit From Working With Our Fort Worth DWI Lawyers
Our founder and head attorney, Attorney Randall B. Isenberg, is a former district judge and chief felony prosecutor with over 30 years of legal experience that he can use to your benefit. He understands how both sides of the system work in DWI cases. He and his team explore all possible options in building a strong defense in your case, strategically challenging each piece of evidence against you.
Since DWI convictions have severe consequences, and Texas does not allow you to expunge this type of conviction, it is paramount that you fight to reduce your charges or defeat the prosecution in court. We can analyze your case and build a strong defense that could lead to your charges being reduced, dropped, or dismissed. We identify all weak links in the prosecution’s case.
Our lawyers may assert one or more of the following in your defense:
Law Enforcement Didn’t Have Probable Cause
Fort Worth police officers cannot pull people over unless they witness a crime in action or have reasonable suspicion. This is usually the starting point of our analysis of a DWI case. Unless the police officer had probable cause to pull you over, your arrest was not legal. This means we may be able to get your case thrown out entirely.
There’s an Issue With Field Sobriety Testing and the Administered Blood Tests
To be admissible as evidence against you, the arresting officers must administer your field sobriety tests according to strict rules. However, these tests are subjective. What may seem “passable” to one officer may seem like intoxication to another. We thoroughly evaluate the details of any sobriety tests to ensure they were conducted correctly and represent your faculties at the time of your arrest.
Chemical Testing Inaccuracies Affected the Arresting Officer’s Judgment
It always pays to question the accuracy of breath and blood alcohol test results if you consented to the tests. Officers must conduct these tests under strict standards outlined by both the State of Texas and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
In addition, those officers must properly calibrate breathalyzer devices and handle blood samples in a very particular way to ensure accurate results. If there were any issues with this process, we will uncover them and have inaccurate results barred from the criminal trial.
We Review Dash Camera Video and Police Reports
The dash camera video from the police may play a key role after a DWI arrest. The jury can see and hear you on video at the time of your arrest. No matter what is in the police report, people tend to believe their own eyes over the testimony of another person.
If you appear sober and sound reasonable, the jury may not believe you were drunk. We can also use this video to uncover other mistakes the police made during your arrest, such as failing to read you your rights or other technicalities.
Based on the evidence we collect demonstrating weaknesses in their case, we can sometimes get the prosecutors to drop the charges entirely or agree to a plea deal. If your case does go to court, we protect your rights and present the strongest case possible.
Fort Worth DWI FAQ
You likely have many questions while facing criminal charges in Fort Worth. You may ask:
How Long Does a Criminal Trial Take?
At the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg, we’re proud to say that many of our criminal cases never go to court. That’s because we’re able to secure plea deals, reduced charges, and dismissals beforehand. However, if your case goes all the way to court, it generally takes three to five days to complete a trial.
In court, we aim to plant reasonable doubt in jurors’ minds. This means refuting the prosecution’s evidence, questioning the details of your arrest, and advocating for your future. If even one juror dissents, your case could end in a mistrial, and the prosecutor may be more willing to negotiate an offer or drop the case.
Can the State Take My Driver’s License Before I Even Go to Court for a Fort Worth DWI?
Yes. Anyone arrested on a DWI charge in Fort Worth has their license automatically suspended. Officers will take your license at the time of your arrest and give you a temporary permit. You then have 15 days to challenge the suspension.
Our DWI lawyers can help you with this process, representing you at any necessary hearings. An ALR hearing lawyer will do everything he can to help you keep your license. If the court upholds the suspension, we could request an occupational license, which allows you to drive to work and uphold other obligations.
What if I Got a DWI While Driving a Commercial Vehicle?
The threshold for drinking and driving is much lower for commercial vehicle drivers. If you’re found to have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level of .04, you could be charged with a crime. Not only that, but you could lose your commercial driver’s license, jeopardizing your career and financial stability.
Our lawyers regularly advocate for commercial drivers facing criminal charges in Fort Worth. We do everything possible to preserve your driving privileges and keep your criminal record clean.
Your Next Steps After Getting Charged With a DWI in Fort Worth
While facing charges of a criminal offense, these measures could promote a fair outcome:
- Adhere to the details of your license suspension. While your case unfolds, you may feel tempted to get behind the wheel––even if just for a few minutes to get something from the store. A word of advice: don’t do this. If you’re pulled over again, you could face compounded charges that complicate matters further.
- Wait until you have a lawyer to talk to police. You have the right to remain silent, and anything you say could hurt your case, even saying something like, “I made a bad decision, I’m sorry.” Your attorney can field the police’s questions, ensuring you don’t incriminate yourself.
- Limit your social media activity. If the prosecution doesn’t have compelling evidence, it may reference your social media posts to suggest you’re an unsafe driver. Don’t post anything online while your case unfolds. You don’t want to give the prosecutor a shred of information they can use against you.
- Enroll in a substance abuse program. You want to show the prosecutor that you’re an upstanding citizen in the crosshairs of a complicated legal matter. Showing that you’re taking steps to better yourself could give us bargaining power when aiming to have your charges reduced.
Our law firm can explain more about your post-accident considerations during your free consultation. This is also your opportunity to ask questions, get answers, and secure legal representation.
What Clients Share About Our DWI Criminal Defense Lawyers
We’re honored when defendants entrust us with their cases. We’re even more honored when they share their positive thoughts with us. Check out some of our testimonials:
- “My husband was treated like a violent criminal the night he was arrested. We had only had a couple drinks apiece at Chili’s, over an hour being there. My husband was taken to jail after a field sobriety test, and I had to get an Uber with threats of being arrested myself… [Attorney Randall B. Isenberg] committed the arresting officer to giving his version of the arrest, and it didn’t match the evidence and couldn’t stand up in court. We were so relieved to have the case thrown out and to put it all behind us. And we’re happy to leave a good review.” ––S.
- “Randall B. Isenberg, P.C. Law Firm got me an acquittal! I thought at best my charges would be reduced. I never dreamed that even high powered attorneys like Randall could get an acquittal! Thank you so much for rescuing me from this DUI hell!” ––J.
We’re confident that with our advocacy and support, you’ll feel the same way at the conclusion of your case.
Call Today for Help with Your Fort Worth DWI Case
Texas does not tolerate motorists who operate vehicles on our state’s roads while intoxicated. Whether suspected offenders are minors or adults, charges from these incidents are serious, and the legal issues they create can last a long time. Even those facing a first-time DWI offense could spend time in jail and lose their license.
To learn more about how a skilled attorney from the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg can help you overcome this situation, call us today.