Getting arrested for a DUI in Louisiana may result in harsh penalties. Being convicted of a DUI can lead to your license being suspended or having to pay steep fines. In some cases, the state may offer a plea bargain in which the severe punishments are limited, but DUI convictions still have long-lasting consequences that impact future employment and car insurance rates. If you have been arrested or convicted of a DUI, experienced DUI attorneys in Shreveport, Ruston, Tallulah, and other Louisiana areas can evaluate the facts of your case and help you protect your rights.
4 Reasons to Hire a Louisiana DUI Lawyer
A DUI charge is serious, and fighting against the charge can be complex; however, an experienced attorney will know how to navigate the legal system to achieve the best outcome for the client. DUI cases are not automatically a lost cause or impossible to win in court. The right lawyer will have the skills and resources necessary to protect the client’s best interests. The following are four reasons to hire a Louisiana DUI lawyer:
A Lawyer Knows and Understands the Legal System
Experienced DUI attorneys know to negotiate DUI charges to reduce or avoid penalties. They understand what evidence to gather and how to build a case that will achieve the best possible results for the client. A skilled attorney will possess the resources to investigate and determine how to best frame your DUI case to help you.
A Lawyer Can Get a DUI Charge Dismissed before Going to Court
The best outcome for a DUI case would be to have the charge dismissed. A dismissed charge allows your criminal record to remain clean, but this result requires a talented lawyer. Often, a dismissed charge is achievable when the prosecution’s best evidence proves not to be legally admissible in court. Such evidence may include breath or blood tests.
A Lawyer Can Stop Your License From Being Suspended
A DUI charge results in a criminal court case and a separate Administrative License Review hearing at the DMV. After a DUI arrest, the driver has ten days to fight the license suspension at the DMV hearing. You can benefit from hiring an attorney for the DMV hearing because the attorney may be able to save your license.
A Lawyer Knows How to Represent You in Court
Taking your case to trial with the hope of acquiring a dismissal or acquittal requires an experienced attorney who knows how to protect you. The attorney can carefully review all arrest information and case evidence to help inform you about your chances of success or any possible plea deals that may achieve a better outcome.
How a DUI Affects Insurance Rates in Louisiana
Louisiana law requires drivers to have auto insurance. Not having insurance means facing additional penalties for breaking the law. After the first DUI offense, your car insurance rate increases by nearly 30%, depending on the provider. Multiple DUI convictions will keep increasing your insurance rate.
Additionally, being labeled a high-risk driver will require you to complete an SR-22 Louisiana insurance requirement. If you miss your insurance payments, the company will inform the state that you violated the SR-22 requirements. A DUI conviction affects insurance rates for five years or more.
How a DUI Affects Future Employment
Any career involving driving, such as commercial driving, will be negatively impacted after a DUI conviction. A DUI is a criminal offense, and it can limit your ability to work in specific industries. Such industries include healthcare, education, or personal security. Additionally, a DUI could make it challenging to seek employment in the insurance industry.
Employers in these fields tend to conduct background checks and may be unwilling or unable to hire someone with a conviction. Furthermore, educational institutions consider your DUI conviction when deciding on admission or scholarship offers.
Contact an Experienced Louisiana DUI Lawyer at John D. & Eric G. Johnson Law Firm Today
In Louisiana, driving while intoxicated is a serious offense that can result in jail time, a fine, and losing your driver’s license. A conviction can negatively impact your insurance rates, your job, and your future. If you are charged with a DUI, you need an experienced and trustworthy attorney on your side. John D. & Eric G. Johnson Law Firm is here to help.
Attorney Eric G. Johnson has more than twenty-five years of experience protecting the rights of his clients across Louisiana. He is a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the Louisiana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. Eric knows how to negotiate the best deals with prosecutors and judges on behalf of his clients, and he may be able to help you. To schedule a free consultation, you can call (318) 377-1555 or fill out our contact form.