Intoxication Assault Charges
Police and prosecutors are aggressive when it comes to intoxication assault charges in Dallas. These cases can lead to serious penalties and consequences. For example, a conviction can lead to lengthy prison time, severe financial penalties, and a permanent record. As a result, your reputation, career, and family can suffer. Moreover, there are consequences many people are unaware of, such as driving license suspensions. You need an experienced Dallas intoxication assault attorney in your corner. We will help you understand the process, your rights, and your options. And of course, we will fight for you in court.
Dallas Intoxication Assault Lawyer
We understand that good people who make mistakes can get railroaded when they don’t have someone fighting for them. The good news prosecutors must prove their allegation beyond a reasonable doubt. This is the highest burden of proof in our justice system. The court must find you not guilty if the prosecutor cannot rule a single reasonable doubt. This can be a powerful defense when implemented in your defense by a skilled Dallas intoxication assault attorney. Finally, a strong defense can lead to fantastic outcomes. For example, acquittal, rejection of charges, grand jury no-bill, and reduction of charges could be possibilities.
If you or someone you love is facing an intoxication assault charge in Dallas, contact the Law Offices of Mike Howard. Dallas intoxication assault lawyer Mike Howard will give you an honest assessment of your case and explain the law and your legal options. Furthermore, he will stand with you and do everything he can to prevent the serious consequences of a conviction.
Our Case Process
Listen & Understand
We focus on clients as real people. First, we list to understand who you are and what you need. Then we make sure we fully understand the facts of the case.
Open Communication
We explain the law, your rights, and the legal process. Because communication is very important to us, we strive to quickly answer questions and return communication.
Fight for Justice
Simply put: we fight hard for you. In the courtroom, in negotiations, and before a case even is officially opened, we fight for justice for you.
Intoxication Assault Charges in Dallas
A person commits intoxication assault (Texas Penal Code § 49.07) if they cause serious bodily injury to another while driving while intoxicated. DWI is defined as operating a motor vehicle in a public place while intoxicated. A person can also commit intoxication assault operating an aircraft, watercraft, or amusement ride while intoxicated.
Having a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 or above is automatically “intoxication.” Intoxication is also not having the normal use of your mental or physical faculties because of alcohol or any other substance.
For information about other DWI and Intoxication related offenses, see our other DWI/DUI page and other intoxication offense pages:
- Intoxication Manslaughter
- First DWI Offense
- Second DWI Offense
- Third (or more) DWI Offense
- DWI with Child Passenger
Penalties for Intoxication Assault
Intoxication assault is generally a third-degree felony. A conviction can result in 2 – 10 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine. If the intoxication assault offense causes serious bodily injury to a firefighter or emergency medical services personnel, a prosecutor can charge it as a second-degree felony. As a result, the punishment range becomes 2 – 20 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine. If the offense causes serious bodily injury to a peace officer or judge, a prosecutor can charge it as a first-degree felony. That can result in 5 – 99 years or life in prison and up to a $10,000 fine.
Other penalties can include up to 10 years of probation, installation of an ignition interlock device, an alcohol evaluation, treatment programs. Furthermore, standard conditions of probation can include community service, DWI education programs, and court costs.
Expunging an intoxication assault charge is extremely limited due to the severity of the offense. If you were convicted of intoxication assault, expungement is not an option under Texas law. However, if your intoxication assault charge was dismissed, resulted in a not guilty verdict, or if you were acquitted, you may be eligible to have the charge expunged. An experienced DWI attorney can help review your case and determine if you are eligible to clear your record.
Choosing The Right Intoxication Assault Lawyer in
Dallas
Finding the right intoxication assault lawyer in Dallas can be overwhelming. After all, you are choosing someone who will hold your life, your future, and your family’s future in their hands. You have to be comfortable with them and feel that you can trust the information and advice they give you. Attorneys are supposed to always work in their clients’ best interest. That shouldn’t just be meaningless talk.
Talk to several lawyers to get a feel for them and their staff. Do they take the time necessary to get to know you, to listen to what’s important to you, and answer your questions? Do they show you that you matter to them as a person and not just as a fee? Beware of lawyers who put the hard sell on you or who make big promises. No attorney should ever make a guarantee about a case. Absolutely avoid a lawyer who doesn’t communicate the scope of the work and their fee clearly in a written contract.
What Makes Mike Howard Different
Many lawyers take advantage of their clients’ ignorance of the criminal justice process. We take the opposite approach: a knowledgeable client is a happy client, so we provide a wealth of information in the way of articles about criminal offenses, blog posts, and videos for free on our website.
Intoxication Offenses Resource Center
Intoxication offenses are amongst the most complicated criminal charges in Texas. For DWI definitions and information about DWI testing, DWI-related driver’s license suspensions, and more, see our DWI page.
Visit Our YouTube Channel for informational videos and client testimonials.
Visit Our blog for posts on cases, defenses, and criminal law information.
Dallas Intoxication Assault Attorney Mike Howard
Above all, I strive to help my clients through difficult times with compassion and integrity. In Dallas innocent people can get accused, charged, and convicted when they don’t have a Dallas intoxication assault attorney fighting for them. I believe in standing up for people facing criminal accusations and helping them navigate all that comes with being thrown into the criminal justice system.
Client-Centered
The cornerstone of my law practice is focusing on my clients as individuals. I start by taking the time to understand not just the facts of their case, but who they are and what they need. Because I know the criminal justice system can be intimidating, I explain the process, their rights, and their options. Client communication is extremely important to me, so I make sure my team and I do everything possible to quickly answer questions and return messages.
Willing to Fight
Most importantly, I am willing to fight a case in court. I have a track record of delivering fantastic results at trial. While not every client and case needs to go to trial, it can make a difference. When your Dallas intoxication assault lawyer has a reputation as a skilled Dallas trial lawyer who fights for their clients, however, it makes all the difference in the world.
A Proven Track Record
Dallas Intoxication Assault Attorney
L.G. – DWI 3rd
Our client was facing a felony DWI due to his long record. In spite of his record and pretty bad facts, we took his case to trial and got a not guilty.
M.B. – DWI with Child Passenger
Even though his children were in the car when he got his DWI, we were able to get our client’s case reduced from a felony to a misdemeanor and get him time-served.
A.M. – DWI 2nd
Our client was a combat veteran with a previous DWI and a history of trauma related to his service. He has completed a prior pretrial diversion program so he wasn’t technically eligible for diversion again. We convinced the prosecutor to make an exception and his case was dismissed.
T.V. – DWI First
We took over our client’s case from another lawyer. He had been set for court many times before and was set for trial even though that’s not what he wanted. After one court setting we got his case reduced and got him deferred probation.
V.B. – DWI 1st > 0.15 BAC
Our client’s first DWI was enhanced due to a high blood alcohol score. We were able to get the enhancement dropped and avoid jail time.