What You Need To Know About Aggravated DUI Charges in Texas

In this article, you can discover…

• What leads to an aggravated DUI charge in Texas.
• The penalties for an aggravated DUI conviction.
• How your attorney can help defend you against aggravated DUI charges. 

What Factors Lead To An Aggravated DUI Charge In Texas?

There are certain factors that will cause a DUI to be prosecuted at a higher level of punishment in Texas. 

If you are accused of driving while intoxicated with a child younger than 15 years of age in the car, even if it’s a first-time offense, that’s an automatic aggravated DUI and state jail felony charge.

If your blood alcohol content is greater than 0.15, that can increase the punishment range even for a first-time DUI, as well.

Having previous convictions for DUI can also result in an aggravated charge, depending on the number of convictions. Further, if someone is injured as a result of your accident during a DUI episode, you could be charged with things such as intoxication, assault, or even a graded assault with a deadly weapon.

What Are The Penalties For Aggravated DUI Convictions In Texas?

If you have three or more previous DUI convictions, you are looking at a third-degree felony charge, which carries a range of punishment between two and 10 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. 

Also, if you have enough criminal history to make you a habitual offender, even if they’re all just DUIs, it could result in a potential punishment range of 25 years to life.

Attorney Lacinda Brese-LeBron is a skilled, principled DUI defense lawyer serving Texas. For over 15 years, she’s helped clients just like you face aggravated DUI charges with persistence, an eye for truth, and her clients’ rights and future in mind.

Facing aggravated DUI charges and unsure where to turn? Reach out to Brese-LeBron Law at (903) 865-3803 for an initial consultation today.

What Are The Most Common Defense Strategies To Use Against Aggravated DUI Charges?

Suppression of illegally obtained or stored evidence is often key in DUI defense, particularly when blood samples are sent off to a lab that the government has hired to be analyzed. 

There was an analyst, in particular, several years ago who was caught not properly doing his job, and it caused a large number of DUI cases to be re-evaluated. Your attorney can also evaluate whether those labs are up to code and whether they are following best practices.

Can You Describe A Notable Case Where You Were Able To Get Aggravated DUI Charges Dropped Or Reduced?

My most positive DUI reduction in outcome involved getting pretrial diversion for a client who had done some honorable service prior in life and was headed off to do some more study. 

He actually received pretrial diversion, which is very difficult to accomplish, as district attorneys in this part of Texas are extremely tough on DUI cases.  This pretrial diversion allowed him in a short period of time to move out of State and pursue other endeavors.

For more information on What You Need To Know About Aggravated DUI Charges in Texas, an initial consultation is your next best step. Get the information and legal answers you are seeking by calling (903) 865-3803 today.