Vehicular Assault Attorney In El Paso

Legal Help When a Serious Crash Becomes a Criminal Case

A serious car crash is frightening enough. When that crash suddenly turns into an accusation of vehicular assault, your entire future can feel like it is at risk. If you are being investigated or have already been arrested, you may be facing felony charges, possible jail time, and the loss of your driver’s license.

At Law Offices of Ruben Ortiz, we defend people whose lives have been turned upside down by serious driving allegations. Since 1998, attorney Ruben Ortiz has been practicing law and working to protect clients’ futures and rights in criminal cases. Our team offers personalized attention, a free criminal defense consultation, and guidance through every step of a confusing process.

You do not have to go through this situation alone. We are here to listen to what happened, explain what these charges can mean for you, and help you understand your options before you make decisions that are hard to undo. Call today or contact us online.

Facing a Vehicular Assault Charge in El Paso

If you are searching for information about vehicular assault, there is a good chance you or someone close to you has just been involved in a serious crash. Maybe law enforcement believes you were speeding, distracted, or under the influence. Maybe another driver, a passenger, or a pedestrian suffered serious injuries. What felt like an accident now feels like a criminal case, and that is overwhelming.

Texas prosecutors often treat crashes that involve serious bodily injury as potential felony charges. Depending on the facts, you might be looking at charges that can bring significant prison time, heavy fines, and a permanent criminal record that follows you for life. These cases can also threaten your driver’s license, your job, your professional licenses, and even your immigration status.

People in this situation commonly feel fear, shame, and confusion. You may be replaying the incident in your mind, worried that one moment on the road has destroyed everything you worked for. Our firm understands that feeling. We focus on more than just the paperwork. We focus on your well-being and the long-term impact this case can have on your family and your future. Since 1998, we have worked with people in El Paso County courts who never imagined they would face criminal cases. Our goal is to provide steady guidance, clear explanations, and a defense strategy that is built around your specific situation, not a generic script.

How Our Firm Defends Vehicular Assault Cases

Vehicular assault style cases are very different from a simple traffic ticket. They usually involve complex evidence and intense scrutiny from law enforcement and prosecutors. We approach these cases with careful preparation and personalized strategies that reflect the seriousness of what is at stake.

Investigating The Evidence

Our team looks closely at the foundation of the case. That often includes police reports, accident reconstruction documents, body camera or dash camera footage, medical records, and any alcohol or drug testing that was performed. We examine how the stop or investigation began, whether officers had a lawful reason to detain or arrest you, and whether your constitutional rights were respected at each stage.

Testing related to alcohol or drugs can be a major issue in a serious crash. We review how breath or blood tests were obtained, how samples were handled, and whether procedures met legal standards. We also consider other factors that can affect the accuracy or interpretation of these tests. Our goal is to identify weaknesses in the evidence and to challenge conclusions that may not be supported by solid facts.

Building A Strategy Around Your Goals

Every case calls for its own approach. Sometimes the focus is on demonstrating that you were not at fault or that the state cannot prove the required mental state for a felony offense. In other cases, mitigation, negotiation, or trial preparation may be the best path. Since attorney Ruben Ortiz has been defending people in criminal court for decades, he understands that your goals matter and that a defense plan has to fit your life, not just the file in front of the court.

Because our firm is licensed in both Texas and New Mexico, we are also mindful of how cross-border travel, witnesses, or records might play a role in a serious crash case that happens near the state line. This local and regional knowledge helps us see issues that might be missed by someone who does not regularly practice here.

Understanding Vehicular Assault Charges & Penalties

One of the most stressful parts of being accused of a serious driving offense is not knowing what you are truly facing. Although the Texas Penal Code uses specific terms for different offenses, many people refer to cases involving serious injury from a vehicle as vehicular assault. The actual charge you face can depend on several factors, including whether officers believe alcohol or drugs were involved, the level of injury, and your prior record.

Possible Charges In Serious Crash Cases

In some situations, prosecutors may consider charges such as intoxication assault or aggravated assault when a vehicle is alleged to have been used in a way that caused serious bodily injury. These are felonies. Potential penalties can include years in prison, significant fines, and long-term supervision. The exact range often depends on the degree of the charge, whether there are enhancements, and whether there are prior convictions for similar conduct.

Collateral Consequences You May Face

Beyond prison or jail, there are collateral consequences. A serious crash that leads to felony charges can trigger driver’s license suspension or restrictions, especially if there is an allegation of intoxication. It can affect your ability to hold certain jobs, especially if you drive for a living or hold a commercial driver’s license. It can also surface on background checks when you apply for work, housing, or professional opportunities.

Immigration status can also be impacted by certain criminal convictions. Severe injury cases and offenses that involve allegations of alcohol or drugs may carry additional risks for noncitizens. While each situation is different, it is important to talk with a defense lawyer about how a particular charge could intersect with immigration law, professional licensing, or security clearances that matter to you.

Our role is to help you understand the possible charges, the typical sentencing ranges that may apply in cases like yours, and the factors that can move a case toward a better or worse outcome. With clear information, you can make informed choices about how to move forward.

What To Do After a Vehicular Assault Arrest

When someone is arrested after a serious crash, the hours and days that follow can feel chaotic. You may be taken to the El Paso County Jail, questioned by officers, and asked to sign or say things you do not fully understand. Family members may scramble to figure out the bond and try to get answers from different agencies.

Protecting Your Rights

Some steps can help protect your rights during this period. One of the most important is to avoid discussing details of the incident with law enforcement or insurance investigators without first speaking to a defense attorney. You generally have the right to remain silent and the right to counsel. Using those rights can prevent statements from being misunderstood or used against you later.

Preserving Information & Acting Quickly

It can also help to preserve any information you have. If you receive paperwork from officers or the jail, keep copies in a safe place. If you are able, write down what you remember about the events leading up to the crash, the conditions on the road, and any interactions with other drivers or officers. Memories can fade quickly, and simple notes can be important later in your defense.

Family members often contact our firm when a loved one is in custody. We can talk with them about the arrest process, typical court timeframes, and what to expect at early hearings. Speaking with a vehicular assault lawyer El Paso residents trust for clear guidance can help reduce the feeling of panic and confusion.

We offer a free, confidential criminal defense consultation. During that meeting or call, we listen to what happened from your point of view, explain how the charges may proceed in court, and discuss possible next steps. Taking this first step early gives you a better chance to protect your rights and to begin building a defense before evidence goes cold or decisions are made without your input.

Why Choose The Law Offices of Ruben Ortiz for Vehicular Assault Criminal Defense In El Paso

When your freedom and record are at stake, the choice of defense counsel matters. You are not just hiring someone to show up in court. You are choosing a guide through one of the hardest experiences of your life. Our firm takes that responsibility seriously.

Attorney Ruben Ortiz has been practicing law since 1998. Over those years, he has focused on defending people accused of crimes and pursuing justice for those injured by others. For someone facing serious allegations related to a vehicle crash, this depth of courtroom experience means you have a lawyer who understands how prosecutors think, how judges manage their dockets, and what strategies often matter most in serious felony driving cases.

We place a strong emphasis on personalized legal strategies. That means we do not treat your case like a file number. We take the time to understand your background, your work, your family, and your priorities. Some clients are focused on avoiding a felony conviction. Others are worried about immigration, the ability to keep a commercial driver’s license, or the impact on a professional career. We consider these factors when discussing options with you.

Our firm is licensed in Texas and New Mexico, which is especially useful in this border region. Serious crashes here can involve drivers, witnesses, or medical providers from both states. Having one attorney who can navigate legal systems on either side of the state line can provide continuity and reduce confusion in cases where issues cross borders.

Above all, we are committed to defending clients’ futures and rights. That includes clear communication, honest assessments, and respect for every person who walks through our doors. We strive to ensure that you feel heard, that your questions are answered, and that you understand how each decision in your case could affect the life you are working to protect.

Local Insight Into Vehicular Assault Cases in This Area

Serious crash cases in this area usually move through the El Paso County Courthouse. Depending on the exact charge and where the incident occurred, your case may be filed in a district court or a county-level court within that building. Each court has its own schedules and procedures, and the specific court often depends on the type of offense and how the district attorney’s office assigns cases.

Investigations for these incidents frequently involve the El Paso Police Department, the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, or the Texas Department of Public Safety. In crashes with severe injuries, specialized traffic or crash reconstruction units may be called in. Understanding how these agencies conduct their work and how reports are typically structured can help identify issues or unanswered questions in the state’s version of events.

If you or your loved one is in custody, you will likely have contact with the El Paso County Jail. Initial hearings, including bond hearings and early settings, are often scheduled on timelines that vary based on when the arrest occurred and the court’s calendar. A local vehicular assault defense lawyer, whom El Paso defendants trust, can explain how these hearings typically unfold and what you may be asked to decide early in the case.

Because El Paso sits along major interstate routes and the international border, serious crashes can also involve out-of-town drivers, commercial vehicles, and cross-border traffic. These details can affect where witnesses live, how evidence is gathered, and what medical facilities are involved. Our experience practicing locally helps us anticipate issues that are unique to this region and incorporate them into our defense strategy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What penalties could I face for vehicular assault in Texas?

The penalties you could face depend on the specific charge the state files and the facts of your case. Serious crash cases that involve allegations of intoxication or intentional or reckless conduct can be treated as felony offenses, which may carry potential prison time, fines, and long-term supervision. The range can increase if there are prior convictions, if multiple people were injured, or if the injuries are considered severe.

In addition to criminal penalties, you may be dealing with driver’s license consequences, higher insurance costs, and difficulties with employment or housing because of a felony record. Our role is to explain the potential ranges that may apply in situations like yours and to discuss what factors may move your case toward a lighter or heavier outcome. We use that understanding to help you make choices about how to proceed.

Will I go to jail if someone was badly hurt in the crash?

Jail or prison is a real possibility in serious injury cases, but it is not automatic in every situation. Whether incarceration occurs often depends on the specific charge, your criminal history, the level of injury, any allegation of intoxication, and how the case is resolved. Some cases result in negotiated plea agreements, probation, or other outcomes instead of prison terms, while others may go to trial.

During a free consultation, we talk with you about how courts in this area typically handle cases with facts similar to yours and what the realistic range of outcomes might be. We also discuss strategies that can help present you as a whole person, not just a police report. No attorney can promise that you will not go to jail, but we can explain what we will focus on and what steps you can take to put yourself in the strongest possible position.

How soon should I contact a lawyer after a vehicular assault arrest?

It is wise to contact a lawyer as soon as you can after an arrest or if you learn that you are under investigation for a serious crash. Early involvement allows a defense attorney to advise you before you speak with investigators, to help you understand bond conditions, and to begin gathering information while memories and evidence are still fresh. Waiting can sometimes limit options or make it harder to correct misunderstandings that appear in early reports.

Our firm offers a free, confidential consultation for criminal defense matters. We talk with you about what has already happened, what law enforcement has told you, and what upcoming deadlines you might face. Reaching out early gives you a clearer picture of your situation and can reduce the anxiety that comes from not knowing what is next.

Can you help if the police say I was drunk or on drugs?

Yes, we defend people in cases where officers claim alcohol or drugs were involved in a serious crash. Allegations of intoxication can make a vehicular assault style case more complicated and may increase the potential penalties, but they do not automatically mean the state’s evidence is strong or that the outcome is predetermined. Many steps in the process, from the traffic stop to the collection and testing of blood samples, are governed by rules that must be followed.

We review those steps carefully. That includes looking at why you were stopped, how field sobriety tests were administered, whether a warrant was obtained for a blood draw when required, and how labs handled and reported test results. If there are problems with any part of this process, it may affect how the evidence can be used. Our goal is to identify and raise those issues as part of a broader defense strategy.

Will I lose my driver’s license if I am charged with vehicular assault?

A serious crash case can put your driver’s license at risk, especially if the case involves an allegation of intoxication or certain traffic offenses. In Texas, administrative license actions and criminal cases can interact in complicated ways. For example, there are often limited timeframes to request certain hearings related to license suspension after an arrest that involves alcohol or drugs.

Whether you ultimately lose your license or face restrictions depends on multiple factors, including test results, prior driving history, and the outcome of the criminal case. During a consultation, we discuss how these issues typically unfold and what steps may be available to challenge or manage license consequences. Understanding these timelines early gives you a better chance to protect your ability to drive.

How does your firm handle fees for criminal defense cases?

Criminal defense cases are handled differently from our personal injury matters. The “No Fees Unless We Win” guarantee and contingency fee structure that applies to injury cases does not apply to criminal defense. Instead, we typically discuss a fee structure for your defense that reflects the nature of the charge, the complexity of the case, and the anticipated work involved.

What we can say clearly is that we offer a free initial consultation for criminal defense matters. During that conversation, we explain how fees work, what is included, and how communication will occur. Our goal is to be transparent, so you understand how representation is structured before you decide to move forward.

What will happen at my first meeting with your office?

At your first meeting or call with our office, you can expect a confidential, straightforward conversation about your situation. We start by listening to your account of what happened, including the events leading up to the crash and any interactions with law enforcement. We then review any paperwork or information you have, such as charging documents or bond conditions.

From there, we discuss what charges you may be facing, how cases like yours typically move through the El Paso County courts, and what the next few weeks might look like. We allow time for your questions, because understanding the process can reduce some of the fear you are feeling. By the end of the consultation, our aim is for you to have a clearer picture of where you stand and how our team can help if you choose to hire us.

Talk With Our Team About Your Vehicular Assault Case

Vehicular assault style charges put your freedom, your record, and your future on the line. You do not have to try to navigate this situation on your own or rely solely on what you hear from others about how the system works. Having a knowledgeable defense attorney by your side can make a real difference in how you understand your options and how your case is presented in court.

At Law Offices of Ruben Ortiz, we offer a free, confidential criminal defense consultation so you can talk through what happened, ask questions, and hear how we would approach your case. There is no obligation during that conversation. Our goal is to provide clear information and to help you decide what is best for you and your family. If you are looking for a vehicular assault defense lawyer El Paso residents can turn to for personalized attention and thorough preparation, we are ready to talk.

To schedule your free consultation, call (915) 308-8850 today.