Intoxication Manslaughter Lawyer Dallas
» Print This PageFacing DWI Manslaughter Charges? You Need Aggressive Defense
You made a mistake, but now the state of Texas is treating you like a killer.
Prosecutors in Dallas County take intoxication manslaughter cases extremely seriously because the Mothers Against Drunk Driving headquarters sits right here in Dallas County.
They want to send a message with your case, and that message involves years of your life spent in a Texas prison cell.
A person commits intoxication manslaughter under Texas Penal Code Section 49.08 when they operate a motor vehicle while intoxicated and that intoxication causes the death of another person by accident or mistake.
The fact that you never meant to hurt anyone does not matter because this is a strict liability offense.
Prosecutors only need to prove you were legally intoxicated and that intoxication caused the fatal accident.
A conviction brings a second degree felony with 2 to 20 years in state prison and fines up to $10,000.
If the person killed was emergency medical services personnel, a police officer, or firefighter acting in their official capacity, the charge becomes a first degree felony with 5 to 99 years in prison.
Multiple deaths or serious bodily injuries mean separate intoxication manslaughter or intoxication assault charges for each victim.
Your driving privileges will be suspended, and a felony conviction strips away your right to own firearms.
Your criminal record will follow you for life, destroying career opportunities and damaging your reputation permanently.
These severe criminal penalties demand an aggressive defense from an experienced criminal defense attorney who knows how to fight back.
How Michael Lowe Can Help You Fight Intoxication Manslaughter Charges
When you face intoxication manslaughter charges in Dallas, you need a defense lawyer who has dedicated his entire practice to criminal law and who knows exactly how the government will attempt to prove your guilt.
Michael Lowe provides strategic, aggressive defense for clients facing these life-altering charges.
Challenging Blood Alcohol Concentration Evidence
Prosecutors rely heavily on blood alcohol concentration testing to establish intoxication beyond a reasonable doubt.
Michael Lowe examines how law enforcement collected, stored, and tested your blood or breath sample, looking for procedural violations and chain of custody problems that can invalidate the results.
Building Reasonable Doubt Through Investigation
The state must prove that your intoxication caused the person’s death, not simply that you were intoxicated at the time of the accident.
Michael Lowe investigates whether other factors such as road conditions, the other driver’s actions, or mechanical failures contributed to the accident.
Accident Reconstruction Defense
These cases often turn on technical evidence about how the collision occurred.
Michael Lowe works with accident reconstruction experts who can challenge the prosecution’s version of events and demonstrate that intoxication was not the proximate cause of the fatal crash.
ALR Hearings and License Suspension Defense
You face an Administrative License Revocation hearing that can suspend your driving privileges before you ever see a courtroom.
Michael Lowe represents clients in these ALR proceedings to protect your ability to drive while your criminal matter is pending.
Intoxication Assault Defense
When a drunk driving offense causes serious bodily injury rather than death, the charge becomes intoxication assault, a third degree felony.
Michael Lowe defends clients facing these related charges with the same thorough investigation and aggressive defense strategy.
Trial Preparation and Negotiation
Some intoxication manslaughter cases present opportunities for charge reduction through negotiation, while others require taking the fight to a jury.
Michael Lowe prepares every case for trial while exploring every avenue that might lead to a better outcome.
Why You Need a Former Prosecutor Who Knows How Dallas Builds Intoxication Manslaughter Cases Against You
The prosecutors handling your case have a playbook they follow, and Michael Lowe knows that playbook because he used to run it.
As a former prosecutor who tried cases in Dallas County and across Texas, he understands exactly which evidence the state will rely on, which witnesses they will call, and which arguments they will make to a jury.
Your defense begins with inside knowledge of the prosecution’s strategy rather than guesswork.
His Board Certification in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 2007 signals to prosecutors that your case will face the highest level of scrutiny.
Fewer than 10 percent of Texas attorneys hold this distinction, and prosecutors know that Board Certified criminal defense attorneys do not accept weak plea offers or back down from challenging questionable evidence.
For you, this means the prosecutor knows from the beginning that cutting corners will not work.
With over 150 jury trials defending clients against serious criminal charges, Michael Lowe brings courtroom experience that most Dallas intoxication manslaughter attorneys cannot match.
Your defense comes from someone who has stood before judge and jury hundreds of times and knows how to fight for an acquittal.
Michael Lowe dedicates 100 percent of his practice to criminal defense, which means your case receives the focused attention these serious charges demand.
Get the Dallas Intoxication Manslaughter Attorney You Need to Fight For Your Freedom
An intoxication manslaughter charge threatens to take decades of your life.
The prosecution is already building its case against you, gathering evidence and preparing witnesses.
Evidence disappears and witness memories fade, so opportunities to challenge the state’s case can slip away quickly.
Michael Lowe offers a free consultation to review your case and discuss your defense options.
Do not wait until the prosecution has locked in its case against you.
Call Michael Lowe today at (214) 526-1900 to schedule your free consultation and start building your defense against these serious charges.
Frequently Asked Questions About Intoxication Manslaughter in Dallas
What is intoxication manslaughter under Texas law?
Under Texas Penal Code Section 49.08, a person commits intoxication manslaughter when they operate a motor vehicle while intoxicated and that intoxication causes the death of another person by accident or mistake. Texas treats this as a strict liability offense, meaning prosecutors do not have to prove you intended to cause the death.
What criminal penalties does an intoxication manslaughter conviction carry?
Intoxication manslaughter is a second degree felony punishable by 2 to 20 years in state prison and fines up to $10,000. If the person killed was a peace officer, firefighter, or emergency medical services personnel, the charge becomes a first degree felony with 5 to 99 years in prison. Additional consequences include license suspension and a permanent felony on your criminal record.
How does Texas law define legally intoxicated?
You are legally intoxicated if you have a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 or greater, or if you do not have the normal use of your mental or physical faculties due to alcohol, a controlled substance, or any combination of substances. Prosecutors can pursue intoxication manslaughter charges based on either definition.
Can intoxication manslaughter charges be reduced or dismissed?
Yes, depending on the circumstances. An experienced criminal defense attorney can challenge whether you were actually intoxicated, whether the intoxication caused the accident, or whether law enforcement violated proper procedures. If the evidence is weak or was obtained improperly, charges may be reduced or dismissed.
What if multiple people died in the accident?
Texas law allows prosecutors to file separate intoxication manslaughter or intoxication assault charges for each person killed or seriously injured. Each charge carries its own potential prison sentence, meaning multiple victims can dramatically increase the total jail time you face.
What defenses work in intoxication manslaughter cases?
Common defense strategies include challenging blood alcohol testing accuracy, questioning police procedures, demonstrating that another factor caused the accident, and establishing that you were not driving. An effective defense strategy depends on the specific facts and evidence involved in your case.
Will I lose my driver’s license if charged with intoxication manslaughter?
You face license suspension through both the criminal case and a separate Administrative License Revocation proceeding. You have only 15 days after arrest to request an ALR hearing to contest the suspension before it takes effect.
How much does an intoxication manslaughter defense attorney cost?
Legal fees vary depending on complexity and whether your case resolves through negotiation or trial. Michael Lowe offers a free initial consultation to discuss your case and explain the fee structure before you make any commitment.
