Serious Charges Require a Serious Defense
If you’ve been arrested for intoxication assault, you’re staring down one of the most serious DWI-related charges in Texas. In these challenging times, seeking assistance from an Intoxication Assault Lawyer in San Antonio can be crucial. This isn’t just about a night that went wrong — it’s a felony accusation that could send you to the Texas Department of Corrections for years and follow you for the rest of your life.
At The Castro Law Office, PLLC, Attorney Christopher Castro understands how high the stakes are. He’s helped countless people in San Antonio and across Bexar County fight serious criminal charges, and he knows how to build a defense that gives you the best possible shot at protecting your freedom and your future, particularly when navigating intoxication assault laws.
What Is Intoxication Assault in Texas?
Under Texas Penal Code § 49.07, intoxication assault happens when someone, because of intoxication, causes serious bodily injury to another person while driving a car, flying an aircraft, operating a boat, or even controlling an amusement ride.
It’s classified as a third-degree felony, which means the penalties are no joke. If you’re convicted, you could face:
- Up to $10,000 in fines
- 2 to 10 years in the Texas Department of Corrections
- Driver’s license suspension for 180 days to 2 years
- Up to 1,000 hours of community service
- A required Ignition Interlock Device (IID) on your vehicle
- Mandatory rehab, counseling, or education programs
- In some cases, probation
If the injured person was a police officer, firefighter, or EMT, the charge can be bumped up to a second-degree felony, which comes with even steeper consequences. Consulting with a San Antonio Intoxication Assault Lawyer can be imperative here.
Intoxication Assault vs. Intoxication Manslaughter
Both crimes involve driving while intoxicated, but the difference comes down to the outcome of the crash.
- Intoxication Assault: Someone was seriously hurt but survived. It’s a third-degree felony with up to 10 years in prison.
- Intoxication Manslaughter: Someone was killed in the crash. It’s a second-degree felony with up to 20 years in prison.
Both charges are devastating, but even one mistake or bad test result doesn’t automatically make you guilty. These cases are complex — and they demand a lawyer who knows how to challenge every detail like an experienced Intoxication Assault Lawyer based in San Antonio.
How These Cases Are Defended
When you’re facing a felony DWI charge, you can’t afford a cookie-cutter defense. Every case is different, and Attorney Christopher Castro digs deep into the evidence to find the weak points in the prosecution’s story. Common defenses include:
- Challenging the intoxication claim: Breath and blood tests can be mishandled, contaminated, or outright wrong. If the testing process wasn’t followed to the letter, the results can be thrown out.
- Disputing causation: Even if alcohol was in your system, that doesn’t mean it caused the crash. Other drivers, poor weather, or mechanical issues may have played a role.
- Questioning the severity of the injury: The law has a very specific definition of “serious bodily injury,” and not every accident meets that threshold. Essentially, finding weak points in the prosecution’s narrative is key when facing such charges.
How Texas Defines “Serious Bodily Injury”
Under Texas Penal Code § 1.07(a)(46):
“Serious bodily injury means bodily injury that creates a substantial risk of death or that causes death, serious permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ.”
In plain language, this means the injury has to be life-threatening, permanently disfiguring, or cause lasting damage to the body.
- Things like broken bones, severe burns, or brain injuries often qualify.
- But bruises, soreness, or short-term pain usually don’t.
This is one of the most important parts of any intoxication assault case. Prosecutors often stretch the definition to make an injury sound worse than it really is. Attorney Christopher Castro reviews medical reports, photographs, and even talks with doctors and medical experts to push back when the evidence doesn’t match the charge.
If the injury doesn’t legally count as “serious,” the felony charge may not hold up — and that can make all the difference. It’s vital you consult with someone well-versed in these laws, like an Intoxication Assault Lawyer in San Antonio.
Why Clients Choose The Castro Law Office
- Local experience that matters: Christopher Castro knows San Antonio courts, the prosecutors, and how these cases actually play out in Bexar County.
- Personal attention: You’ll work directly with your attorney — not be handed off to staff or “case managers.”
- Clear communication: You’ll always know where your case stands and what comes next.
- Proven results: Whether it’s negotiating reduced charges or taking a case to trial, the focus is always on getting the best possible outcome. Clients seeking help from a dedicated Intoxication Assault Lawyer in San Antonio often find great results because of this focus and attention to detail.
When your freedom is on the line, you need more than a lawyer — you need an advocate who actually cares about your life after the case.
Talk to a San Antonio Intoxication Assault Lawyer Today
A felony DWI charge can change everything — your job, your license, your family, and your future. But one mistake doesn’t have to define the rest of your life.
Call The Castro Law Office, PLLC today at (210) 740-2796 or visit castrocriminallawyer.com to schedule a free consultation.
Attorney Christopher Castro will listen to your story, explain your options, and fight to protect your rights every step of the way with the expertise of a renowned Intoxication Assault Lawyer based in San Antonio.