From a minor possession of alcohol and driving while intoxicated (DWI) to intoxication assault and manslaughter charges, alcohol-related crime allegations can change a person’s life and prospects. Unlike most criminal charges that include intentional forms of violence, the effects of alcohol consumption can lead to lower impulse control and affect those who would never intentionally harm another person.
Due to the large amounts of money made by municipalities and government agencies related to these types of offenses, arrests for alcohol crimes can be made too quickly. Proper legal representation by experienced defense attorneys for alcohol-related crimes can change the trajectory and ensure fair outcomes. Don’t risk your future, contact M|C Criminal Law today to explain your situation.
| Types and Levels of Alcohol Crimes in Texas | Alcohol-Related Crime | Incarceration | Fine |
| Class C Misdemeanor | Purchase of alcohol by a minor; consumption of alcohol by a minor; possession of alcohol by a minor; public intoxication; possession of alcoholic beverage in a motor vehicle; driving under the influence of alcohol by a minor (DUI) Purchase of alcohol by a minor; consumption of alcohol by a minor; possession of alcohol by a minor; public intoxication; possession of alcoholic beverage in a motor vehicle; driving under the influence of alcohol by a minor (DUI) | / | Up to $500 |
| Class B Misdemeanor | Driving while intoxicated (DWI) | Up to 180 days | Up to $2,000 |
| Class A Misdemeanor | DWI, 2nd offense; DWI with concentration of alcohol above 0.15; Sale of alcohol to a minor; Purchase of alcohol for a minor | Up to 1 year | Up to $4,000 |
| State Jail Felony | DWI with a child passenger (under 15 years old) | 180 days to 2 years | Up to $10,000 |
| Third-Degree Felony | DWI, 3rd Offense; Intoxication assault | 2 to 10 years | Up to $10,000 |
| Second-Degree Felony | Intoxication manslaughter | 2 to 20 years | Up to $10,000 |
Need a reliable DWI lawyer in Dallas? We offer strong defense across Texas to secure the best outcome for your unique case.
Texas treats intoxication offenses very seriously, but so do we. Your defense starts with an experienced intoxication manslaughter lawyer.
The charges for these criminal offenses involve serious, life-altering consequences, making it crucial to seek legal representation. Our intoxication assault attorneys are here to help.
Texas law imposes severe criminal penalties for alcohol-related offenses. These may include jail time, fines, and long-term consequences on your record. Understanding the nuances of blood alcohol content, the legal drinking age, and laws governing alcohol influence is crucial in building a solid defense.
Since the effects of alcohol can lead to serious legal problems, navigating alcohol crimes requires more than just legal expertise; it demands empathy and understanding of the personal toll these cases take.
Whether you’re dealing with allegations of drunk driving, violent crimes due to aggressive behavior under the influence of alcohol, such as aggravated assault charges, or any other alcohol-related accidents, having a knowledgeable attorney can make all the difference.
From drunk drivers to cases involving alcohol intoxication leading to physical assaults or alcohol-related sexual assaults, every situation demands a tailored defense strategy. We have extensive experience in defending clients against allegations of domestic violence, intimate partner violence incidents, and other alcohol crimes.
Beyond immediate legal consequences, convictions for alcohol crimes can have lasting impacts on your personal and professional life. We strive to minimize them by aggressively defending your rights and pursuing the best possible outcome in criminal defense situations.
Alcohol abuse disorders can complicate legal matters. Our approach includes connecting clients with treatment providers and resources for counseling for alcohol addiction, aiming for support beyond the courtroom.
With more than 30 years of criminal experience and 300 trials between them, Messina Madson and Kendall Castello know how to analyze and attack alcohol-related criminal prosecutions. We have handled hundreds of these cases as both prosecutors and criminal defense attorneys. By understanding the prosecutor’s mindset and the weaknesses of these types of allegations, our firm has achieved great results in many cases – including reductions to lesser charges and dismissals, often keeping the allegations from ever becoming public.
However, results speak louder than words, so here are examples of some of our recent cases:
The client pulled over after an altercation with another driver. The police investigated and arrested the client for DWI. The state lacked sufficient evidence that the client was intoxicated. The case was never filed by the police department.
The client was arrested for DWI and the test results came back showing both alcohol and methamphetamine in the client’s system. Based on low alcohol test results and by showing that the methamphetamine found in the system could have been inactive at the time of driving, the DA’s office agreed to offer an obstruction of a highway charge.
The client was arrested for DWI. Blood test results showed both alcohol and marijuana in his system. We demonstrated that the blood results conflicted with the officer’s findings at the scene and showed that the alcohol result would have been very near the legal limit when the defendant was driving. The DA’s office offered an obstruction of a highway instead of a DWI charge.
The client was highly intoxicated at the time of driving. We were able to negotiate a settlement for time served on the case without a finding that the blood alcohol level was 0.15 or higher when driving. This result prevented our client from having to serve additional jail time or up to two years of probation.
The client was arrested for DWI for the third time. Scientific blood results showed that our client’s alcohol level was above the legal limit. We were able to negotiate a settlement that allowed our client to plea to a misdemeanor DWI charge, avoiding a felony conviction for the client.
The client was driving a car with multiple teenage occupants. A bottle of alcohol was found in the vehicle that the client admitted was left in the car a few days earlier by his parents. Although technically in possession of the alcohol, we were able to negotiate a dismissal allowing for an immediate expunction of the charge.
The client was found in his car, which was parked in a parking lot. When police officers contacted him, he threw up and was charged with public intoxication. We were able to demonstrate that the police officers failed to take the necessary steps to show that his sickness was caused by intoxication and not another issue. The case was eventually dismissed and immediately expunged.
The client was cited with other teenagers at an outdoor party for having alcohol. The officer had photos of the client with a bottle in her hands and the client admitted to having the alcohol. We were able to negotiate a dismissal of the charge and the case is eligible for expunction.
Kendall is an extraordinary attorney with great legal knowledge, experience, common sense and judgement. The quality of Kendall’s character is equally outstanding. He deeply cares about his clients and doing the very best for them. Kendall was an invaluable counsel and resource in in our difficult domestic child abuse case. I am honored to know
Messina Madson is the greatest!! She not only knows the law in and out, but truly cares for her clients. Messina was up front and honest about everything happening throughout my case. I spoke to Messina for the first time while I was in jail and thought I had zero chance of getting out on
My loved one had a very serious charge, and I wanted to do everything I could to make sure he got the best outcome possible. After almost a year, the plea deal stayed the same, and I was frustrated. Also getting his bond reduced was denied over and over. Someone I work with told me
When I first learned I needed a defense lawyer for some very serious charges I was lost and scared, and feared the worst. I saw my life spinning out of control with the possibility of losing everything and even jail. I had never needed a lawyer and didn’t know who to turn to. Kendall Castello
If you or a loved one is facing allegations related to alcohol crimes in Dallas or anywhere in Texas, don’t face it alone. Trust M|C Criminal Law to provide the compassionate yet assertive legal representation you deserve. Contact us today for a confidential consultation.
The Zero Tolerance Law in Texas prohibits anyone under the age of 21 from driving with any detectable amount of alcohol in their system. This means even a minimal blood alcohol content (BAC) can result in legal consequences for underage drivers.
The drunk law in Texas, primarily referring to Driving While Intoxicated (DWI), states that it is illegal to drive with a BAC of 0.08% or higher. Penalties for intoxicated drivers can include fines, license suspension, community service, and even severe penalties such as jail time. For commercial drivers, the limit for the content of alcohol in blood is 0.04%, and for drivers under 21, any detectable amounts of alcohol can result in a DWI charge.
The punishment for dealing alcohol in Texas without the proper licensing can include hefty fines, potential jail time, and other legal penalties. The severity of the punishment depends on the amount of alcohol involved and whether it is a repeat offense.
A Minor in Possession (MIP) conviction can stay on your record in Texas indefinitely unless you take steps to have it expunged. Typically, after completing any required court programs, you may petition to have the record sealed or expunged.
