Intoxication Manslaughter Attorney in Dallas, TX

What Is Intoxication Manslaughter?

While a DWI in Texas is associated with severe criminal penalties, a drunk driving offense involving another person’s death can result in harsher consequences. This type of crime is known as “intoxication manslaughter” and state prosecutors often seek the maximum punishment.

If you or a loved one has been charged with intoxication manslaughter in Dallas, let Palmer Perlstein help you get the best possible results in your case. Our legal team can assess your case, figure out your available legal options, and do our best to either get your entire case dismissed or your charges or penalties significantly reduced.

Here are several benefits of hiring our firm:

Nearly 100 years of combined experience
Our founding attorney is a Board Certified Criminal Law Specialist
A former prosecutor is part of our legal team
Hundreds of state and federal case successfully handled

Call 469-966-7614 today to request a confidential consultation with our Dallas intoxication manslaughter defense lawyers.

Intoxication Manslaughter Texas

Intoxication manslaughter is defined as knowingly becoming intoxicated from alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both substances, then driving a vehicle, and ultimately killing someone else. However, if you didn’t know that you consumed a controlled substance and later became impaired, you will not be charged with intoxication manslaughter in Texas.

Additionally, manslaughter means acting in a reckless manner that leads to another person’s death. This type of violent crime is different from murder due to the lack of premeditation. As long as the defendant exhibited reckless behavior, that is enough proof to charge and perhaps convict you of manslaughter.

Punishment for Intoxication Manslaughter

Intoxication manslaughter in Texas is a second-degree felony, punishable by a prison term of up to 20 years and a maximum $10,000 fine. Yet, if more than one individual is killed or suffered a serious injury in a drunk driving accident, you could be charged with a separate intoxication manslaughter or intoxication assault offense for each victim.

Call 469-966-7614 to Let Us Protect Your Rights & Freedom Today

Our Dallas intoxication manslaughter defense attorneys can help you determine all your available defenses, whether your constitutional rights were violated by police or the alleged victim ended up causing the collision. We can guide you through the complexities of the criminal justice system while fighting for the most favorable outcome.

Do not wait to contact us today at 469-966-7614 to discuss your case with our Dallas intoxication manslaughter defense lawyers.

Providing Aggressive Legal Representation to Protect Your Freedom and Legal Rights

If you or a family member have been arrested and charged with intoxication manslaughter, you cannot wait to hire an experienced criminal defense attorney. An intoxication manslaughter conviction can result in you losing your freedom, personal reputation and being labeled as a convicted felon.

Texas prosecutors are overly aggressive when it comes to pursuing intoxication manslaughter charges. Due to the severe legal and societal consequences that accompany an intoxication manslaughter charge, a defendant should never try to handle their case without an experienced lawyer who can provide them with a solid legal defense.

Palmer Perlstein is a law firm dedicated to defending clients against life-changing criminal charges. We realize that sometimes good people make poor choices, resulting in them having to deal with the Texas criminal justice system.

Our legal team has a proven record of being able to have criminal charges dropped or reduced and will fight tirelessly to defend your rights.

Contact our law offices and ask to schedule a consultation with a Dallas intoxication manslaughter attorney who will review your case and determine your legal options.

What Is Intoxication Manslaughter?

While a DWI in Texas is associated with severe criminal penalties, a drunk driving offense involving another person’s death can result in harsher consequences. A person commits intoxication manslaughter if they knowingly become legally intoxicated from alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both substances, then drive a vehicle and ultimately kill someone else.

Intoxication manslaughter is usually charged as a second-degree felony. However, the Texas penal code allows prosecutors to file enhanced first-degree felony charges depending on the circumstances involved in the case.

Any DWI case that results in the death of another will most likely be charged with intoxication manslaughter charges, and state prosecutors often seek the maximum punishment. Additionally, if the accident results in more than one person killed or suffering serious bodily injury, they can face separate intoxication manslaughter or intoxication assault charges. Other terms for intoxication manslaughter include vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated or DWI manslaughter.

Defendants may face intoxication manslaughter charges rather than a murder charge because there was no intent on their part to cause death. Manslaughter means acting in a reckless manner that leads to another person’s death. However, if it can be proven that you did not know that you consumed a controlled substance and later became impaired, you will not be charged with intoxication manslaughter in Texas.

Nevertheless, defendants who are dealing with intoxication manslaughter cases cannot afford to risk their freedom and future to an attorney who lacks the qualifications to defend their case. Instead, it is always the best choice to hire a well-qualified Dallas intoxication manslaughter lawyer who can provide aggressive legal representation.

What Are the Criminal Penalties for Intoxication Manslaughter?

However, if the victim is an emergency medical services personnel engaged in their duties at the time, the penalties can be significantly higher. Others who qualify under this law include firefighters, police officers, and judges. One of the most common scenarios where individuals may face enhanced intoxication manslaughter charges is when they are driving while intoxicated and strike a police officer or other emergency medical personnel who may be performing their duties on the side of the road. When this occurs, the incident may be charged as a third-degree felony punishable by a prison sentence of 5 years to life.

However, with the help of an experienced Dallas intoxication manslaughter attorney, a first-time offender may be able to avoid a prison sentence and face the following penalties which include:

Up to 800 hours of community service
Their driver’s license being suspended for at least 90 days
Installation of an ignition interlock device
Paying restitution to the victim’s family for funeral or medical costs

Many clients ask if they can receive deferred adjudication probation instead of being sentenced to time in jail. However, the Texas penal code does not allow intoxication manslaughter defendants to be sentenced to deferred adjudication but instead may sentence them to community supervision. Nevertheless, defendants sentenced to community supervision must serve 120 days in jail and complete a mandatory drug and alcohol education program.

If you still have questions regarding the criminal penalties for an intoxication manslaughter conviction, contact our Dallas law offices and ask to schedule a consultation to learn more.

What Possible Legal Defenses Can Be Used in Intoxication Manslaughter Cases?

Although Texas state attorneys take a tough stance on prosecuting intoxication manslaughter charges, several legal defenses can be utilized to defend clients. An experienced attorney typically focuses on challenging the evidence the prosecuting attorney presents.

Some of the most common legal defenses used by criminal defense attorneys to try and have intoxication manslaughter charges dropped include:

Challenging the validity of the defendant’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC): In many instances, BAC tests are administered incorrectly, or the equipment used is proven to be faulty
Challenging field sobriety tests: In many instances, external factors such as the defendant’s age and physical limitations can lead to them failing FSTs
Lack of probable cause: If the defense can prove there was a lack of probable cause or illegal, any evidence obtained may be deemed inadmissible by the court and severely weaken the state’s case
Challenging causation: A skilled defense attorney may be able to investigate the case and contend that factors other than the defendant’s intoxication led to the accident.

Other arguments that an intoxication manslaughter defense lawyer may use include reviewing the state’s case to determine if the defendant’s Miranda Rights were violated or if the police violated the law during their investigation. It is also important to note that the prosecutor must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the intoxication of the defendant was the direct cause of the accident and death.

Anyone dealing with intoxication, manslaughter, or related offenses should understand that every case is different, and, therefore, any defense strategies that an attorney may use will vary based on the factors involved in the case.

Why Should I Trust Your Criminal Defense Team to Handle My Intoxication Manslaughter Case?

If you or a loved one has been charged with intoxication manslaughter in Dallas, let Palmer Perlstein help you get the best possible results in your case. Our legal team can assess your case, determine your available legal options, and do our best to get your entire case dismissed or significantly reduce your charges or penalties.

Here are several benefits of hiring our firm:

Nearly 100 years of combined experience
Our founding attorney is a Board Certified in Criminal Law
A former prosecutor is part of our legal team
Hundreds of state and federal cases successfully handled
Conduct a thorough investigation of the case and evidence
Advise you of your legal rights and any options that may be right for your case

Our Dallas intoxication manslaughter defense attorneys can help you determine all your available defenses. Possible defenses may include proving your constitutional rights were violated by police or the alleged victim was responsible for causing the collision. Our dedicated team of legal professionals can guide you through the complexities of the criminal justice system while fighting for the most favorable outcome.

Because we have a former prosecuting attorney on our team, we have an inside track into the state’s strategies for prosecuting cases. One aspect that sets our law firm apart from others is that we have the knowledge, experience, and resources to try to get charges dropped without taking the case to trial.

Finally, Palmer Perlstein strives to treat each client with the respect and dignity they deserve. Our attorneys do not make judgments. Instead, our legal team works to create innovative strategies to help clients overcome their legal issues while protecting their rights and freedom.

Contact Palmer Perlstein at our law offices at (469) 966-7614 to schedule a confidential consultation with our Dallas intoxication manslaughter defense lawyer to learn more about our legal services and how we can help.