Getting arrested for a DUI in Louisiana may result in harsh penalties. DUI stands for driving under the influence and is a criminal offense under Louisiana law. During DUI stops, police officers observe drivers for signs of intoxication and gather evidence that can be used in legal proceedings. Being convicted of a DUI can lead to your license being suspended or having to pay steep fines. A DUI conviction results in criminal charges and initiates legal proceedings that can have long-term consequences. 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 Lawyer Knows and Understands the Legal System
- A Lawyer Can Get a DUI Charge Dismissed before Going to Court
- A Lawyer Can Stop Your License From Being Suspended
- A Lawyer Knows How to Represent You in Court
- How a DUI Affects Insurance Rates in Louisiana
- How a DUI Affects Future Employment
- Contact an Experienced Louisiana DUI Lawyer at John D. & Eric G. Johnson Law Firm Today
Introduction to DWI in Louisiana
Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) is considered a serious offense under Louisiana law, carrying significant and lasting consequences for those convicted. A DWI conviction can lead to harsh penalties such as jail time, hefty fines, and license suspension, all of which can disrupt your life and future opportunities. Louisiana law is particularly strict when it comes to impaired driving, and the legal process can be overwhelming for anyone facing DWI charges. The stakes are high, and navigating the legal system without the help of an experienced DWI attorney can result in even more severe outcomes. If you are charged with driving while intoxicated, it is crucial to understand your rights and the legal process ahead. An experienced DWI attorney can guide you through each step, working to minimize the serious consequences of a DWI conviction and protect your future.
Understanding DWI Laws
Louisiana’s DWI laws are complex and can be difficult to navigate without proper legal guidance. The legal limit for blood alcohol concentration (BAC) in Louisiana is 0.08%, and exceeding this limit can result in DWI charges. Law enforcement officers often use breathalyzer tests to determine a driver’s BAC, but it’s important to know that refusing a breathalyzer test can trigger an automatic license suspension under Louisiana’s implied consent laws. These laws mean that by driving on Louisiana roads, you have already agreed to submit to chemical testing if suspected of impaired driving. A skilled DWI attorney understands the intricacies of these laws and can help you build a strong defense, whether you are facing license suspension, challenging the results of a breathalyzer test, or fighting DWI charges in court.
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, and a defense attorney provides essential legal representation in DUI cases. 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, and seeking legal counsel and having a legal team on your side is crucial. Additionally, the value of a strong DWI defense can make a significant difference in achieving favorable outcomes.
Hiring a DWI defense attorney or an experienced Lafayette DUI lawyer ensures you have access to effective legal strategies and aggressive defense tailored to your case.
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, and can help clients facing misdemeanor charges or more serious offenses. They understand what evidence to gather and how to build a case that will achieve the best possible results for the client. Understanding the difference between a first offense DUI and subsequent offenses is crucial, as each offense DUI carries different penalties. A skilled attorney will possess the resources to investigate and determine how to best frame your DUI case to help you, and their familiarity with Louisiana DWI laws and the specifics of a DWI charge can make a significant difference in your case.
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. Evidence such as breath or blood tests must meet the legal BAC limit requirements and comply with Louisiana’s implied consent laws, which govern how chemical testing is conducted and the consequences of refusing such tests. Such evidence may include breath or blood tests.
A Lawyer Can Stop Your License Suspension
A DUI charge results in a criminal court case and a separate Administrative License Review hearing at the DMV, which can also result in an administrative license suspension. After a DUI arrest, the driver has ten days to fight the license suspension at the DMV hearing; failure to act quickly can lead to immediate penalties, including a driver’s license suspension. 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. Depending on the outcome, penalties may include a prison sentence, court-approved substance abuse programs, or community service as part of sentencing.
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. Any career involving driving, such as commercial driving, will be negatively impacted after a DUI conviction. Individuals with a commercial driver’s license face additional consequences, including the potential loss of their driver’s license.
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. Reinstating your driver’s license after a suspension may require installing an ignition interlock device or completing a driver improvement program. 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 DWI arrest involving motor vehicles can also have serious employment consequences. 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. A DWI charge related to operating a motor vehicle can be a significant barrier to employment in regulated industries. Furthermore, educational institutions consider your DUI conviction when deciding on admission or scholarship offers.
First Offense DWI: What You Need to Know
Facing a first offense DWI in Louisiana can be overwhelming, as the legal consequences are both immediate and severe. Even for a first offense DWI, you could be looking at a jail sentence ranging from 10 days up to 6 months, along with fines that may reach $1,000. In addition to jail time and financial penalties, a first offense DWI can result in a license suspension of up to 6 months, making it difficult to maintain your daily responsibilities. The impact of a DWI in Louisiana extends beyond the courtroom, affecting your reputation and future opportunities.
However, with the help of an experienced Lafayette DWI lawyer, you may be able to minimize these serious consequences and work toward a favorable outcome. A knowledgeable DWI lawyer can evaluate your case, challenge the evidence, and advocate for reduced penalties or alternative sentencing options.
The Role of Breathalyzer Tests in Louisiana DUI Cases
Breathalyzer tests are a central part of most DUI cases in Louisiana, as they are used by law enforcement to measure a driver’s blood alcohol concentration at the time of arrest. However, these tests are not infallible—errors in administration, calibration, or maintenance can lead to inaccurate results. A skilled DWI attorney can scrutinize the circumstances surrounding your breathalyzer test and challenge its validity in court, which may be critical to your defense. It’s also important to understand that refusing a breathalyzer test can result in an automatic license suspension, regardless of whether you are ultimately convicted of DWI charges. If you are facing DUI charges, a DWI lawyer can help you understand your rights, contest questionable breathalyzer results, and develop a strong defense strategy to protect your driving privileges and your future.
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, fill out our contact form.