Intoxication Defense Attorneys
As a general matter, whether you drink and how much you choose to drink is none of the government’s business. But when someone’s drinking triggers the Texas criminal code, law enforcement is eager to get involved.
You might be surprised by how many criminal offenses apply to intoxication in Texas. Drinking and driving are the most obvious of these charges, but there are many others. Some involve prescription medication or controlled substances (i.e., drugs), but most can apply to the consumption of alcohol alone.
These cases are easy targets for the state. After all, a great many Texans drink recreationally. In many parts of our state, a night at the local bar is a social staple, and grown adults are free to decide how much they’d like to imbibe.
While drinking in excess can sometimes pose hazards to your health and those around you, and while bartenders and bar owners may face some civil liability for failing to keep their patron’s consumption under control, as a general rule, it is not illegal to become intoxicated from drinking alcohol in Texas.
So why are so many Texans facing criminal charges for intoxication offenses? Often, these cases are the result of aggressive policing or prosecutorial overreach. Nevertheless, the state takes these charges seriously, and it is prepared to pursue them with zeal. That’s why you need a capable and proactive law firm on your side.
If you are facing criminal charges pertaining to any of the intoxication offenses in Texas, we urge you to contact the intoxication defense attorneys at The Criminal Defense Firm right away.
The government doesn’t deserve the final say in whether you had too much to drink or behaved inappropriately. We know how frequently unfair these allegations are. Let us stand up for your rights and your reputation.
Our experienced intoxication defense attorneys have successfully helped people just like you overcome these charges. Our strategies are frequently successful, and we’re ready to put up a fight. Call us today.
Put our highly experienced team on your side
Brian J. Kuester
Former U.S. Attorney
Former DA
Amanda Marshall
Former U.S. Attorney
Local Counsel
Joe Brown
Former U.S. Attorney
& Former District Attorney
Local Counsel
John W. Sellers
Former Senior Trial Attorney
U.S. Department of Justice
Local Counsel
Linda Julin McNamara
Former Chief, DOJ Appeals
Local Counsel
Joanne Fine DeLena
Former Assistant U.S. Attorney
Local Counsel
Aaron L. Wiley
Former Federal Prosecutor
Local Counsel
Roger Bach
Former Special Agent (OIG)
Chris Quick
Former Special Agent (FBI & IRS-CI)
Kevin M. Sheridan
Former Special Agent (FBI)
Ray Yuen
Former Supervisory Special Agent (FBI)
Dennis A. Wichern
Former Special Agent-in-Charge (DEA)
DWI
DWI stands for Driving While Intoxicated, and it is a serious criminal offense that can apply to minors and adults alike.
Unfortunately, the tests used to determine a driver’s Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) are notoriously unreliable, and many people have been found to be “drunk” when, in fact, they weren’t. Nevertheless, the Texas drunk-driving laws get tougher and tougher all the time.
An experienced intoxication defense attorney can help you fight back against these charges and the enormous penalties that come with them, but you need to take action as soon as possible.
DUI
While many states use DUI and DWI interchangeably, there is a distinct difference between the two in Texas. Whereas DWI can apply to drivers of any age, DUI (or Driving Under the Influence) applies exclusively to drivers under the age of 21. The BAC threshold is much lower for a DUI charge. Thanks to the state’s “zero tolerance” policy, any amount of alcohol is sufficient to support a DUI charge.
As you can imagine, if BAC tests are inaccurate at higher intoxication levels, they are especially unreliable at lower levels. While DUI penalties are typically less severe than those for DWI, young drivers still need to take aggressive action to protect their records and reputations at the start of their lives.
The experienced intoxication defense attorneys at The Criminal Defense Firm can defend you against DWI and/or DUI charges in Texas.
Intoxication Assault
Intoxication assault is a criminal charge that applies when a drunk driver causes bodily injury to another person. The prosecutor must be able to prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that you were intoxicated and that you caused the injury, though the state is not required to establish that you intended to cause harm.
As with DWI and DUI cases, we are often able to challenge the evidence supporting the state’s intoxication claim.
Intoxication Manslaughter
Intoxication manslaughter is unique to Texas. It is similar to intoxication assault, but it applies when a drunk driver causes another person’s death (as opposed to mere injury). These cases are extraordinarily common and always tragic. Not only has someone lost their life but the state is also seeking to ruin another person’s life by imposing extremely severe penalties against the driver.
Our intoxication defense attorneys have extensive experience in handling intoxication manslaughter cases, and we can help.
Other Intoxication Offenses in Texas
There is no shortage of intoxication-related criminal statutes in Texas. Other state-level intoxication offenses include:
- Public intoxication
- Underage drinking
- Possession of alcoholic beverages in a vehicle
- DWI with a child passenger
- Aggravated DWI
- Flying while intoxicated (applies to aircraft operators)
- Boating while intoxicated
- Assembling or operating an amusement ride while intoxicated
- And more
Public intoxication is an especially common charge. It’s important to understand that merely being drunk while in public is not enough to support a criminal charge. The state must also be able to prove that the accused was a danger to others at the time.
If you’ve been charged with public intoxication or any of these other intoxication offenses please contact our intoxication defense lawyers right away.
Schedule a Free Consultation
Contact The Criminal Defense Firm at 866-603-4540 to set up a free consultation for your case today. Time is of the essence, so please don’t delay.
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