Intoxication Assault / Manslaughter

DWI Resulting in Injury or Death

Texas Intoxication Assault/Intoxication Manslaughter Attorneys

If you are accused of causing an accident while under the influence of alcohol, and a passenger, pedestrian, or occupant of the other car suffered serious bodily injury or died, do not give any statements without talking to a lawyer first.

Intoxication assault and intoxication manslaughter are serious felony crimes carrying substantial prison time for conviction. The criminal defense attorneys of Christopher N. Hoover, P.C. are experienced and proven in these high-profile, evocative cases. In fact, our firm handles only DWI-related matters. We can provide the aggressive, knowledgeable representation you will need to help prevent the worst consequences.

• Intoxication assault is a drunk driving accident resulting in life-threatening or permanent injuries. It is a third degree felony, carrying a minimum sentence of two years in prison, up to 10 years.
• Intoxication manslaughter is the "death of another by mistake or accident" (vehicular homicide) resulting from driving while intoxicated. It is a second degree felony in most cases but in some cases can carry a possible life term (Medlin Act). 

Was Your Car a "Deadly Weapon"?

Our number one goal is keep clients from going to prison, and this requires overcoming a significant obstacle.

Texas law provides for a special felony enhancement provision that classifies a motor vehicle as a deadly weapon in these cases. Many prosecutors will add this clause (and as many other charges as they can) to assure the harshest punishment. If this enhancement is included in the indictment, a conviction stipulates that (a) the person cannot be eligible for probation, and (b) the person must serve at least half of the prison sentence before eligible for parole.

The law also states that only a jury can give probation in intoxication (Assault/deadly weapon) cases. (In a bench trial, a judge is required to give at least the mandatory minimum prison term.) It is easy for a prosecutor to convince a jury that a two-ton car is a weapon in the hands of a drunk driver. Our attorneys work to convince prosecutors to drop the deadly weapon charge or convince 12 people to grant the punishment to probation.

We also explore all defenses for disproving the DWI component of intoxication assault or intoxication manslaughter. If we can prove that our client was not legally drunk, or create reasonable doubt about the physical evidence or police procedures, the client may be able to plead guilty to (or a jury can convict on) a lesser charge.

Contact the skilled trial lawyers of Christopher N. Hoover, P.C. immediately (1-888-252-4DWI) to protect your rights and discuss strategies in your defense. We offer a FREE consultation, and our phones are answered 24 hours a day.