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Shreveport DWI Lawyer

What This Page Covers::

Consequences: Getting a DUI/DWI in Shreveport involves strict penalties including jail time and fines. Offenders have a short window to act to preserve their driving privileges by requesting a DMV hearing.
Legal Expertise: John D. & Eric G. Johnson Law Firm offers skilled legal defense, negotiating with prosecutors to potentially reduce charges or sentences and emphasizing the value of experienced legal representation.
Penalties: Louisiana’s DWI penalties range from fines and jail time to community service and mandatory educational programs, escalating with repeat offenses, highlighting the severe impact of DWI convictions.
Defense Strategies: Some effective defenses include challenging the legality of the traffic stop, the accuracy of breath or blood tests, and alleging police misconduct or medical conditions that mimic intoxication.

There are few things more unsettling than noticing a cop car following you home late at night. When the flashing lights come on, things can quickly go downhill. Before you know it, you head toward a police station in the back of the patrol car. Unfortunately, receiving a DUI/DWI in Shreveport is not only a frustrating experience, but it can also quickly become very costly down the road.

Louisiana has strict DUI/DWI laws that mandate jail time and other consequences for convicted offenders. Additionally, offenders have just 30 days after their arrest to request a hearing with the Department of Motor Vehicles to maintain their driver’s licenses. If you face charges for DWI/DUI in Shreveport, contact an experienced Shreveport DWI attorney right away.

How Top-Rated Legal Representation Can Help

The experienced team from John D. & Eric G. Johnson Law Firm understands the intricacies of the law and is skilled in examining the details of the arrest, including the validity of the traffic stop, the administration of sobriety tests, and the accuracy of the breathalyzer or blood tests. Our expertise allows us to identify any procedural errors or weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, which can be crucial in defending the accused. We are also equipped to negotiate effectively with prosecutors, potentially reducing the charges or securing a more lenient sentence.

We are here to advise on how to mitigate the impact on the individual’s driving record, employment opportunities, and insurance rates. For instance, we may suggest enrollment in alcohol education programs or community service as alternatives to harsher penalties, which can demonstrate the individual’s commitment to rehabilitation and responsibility.

Moreover, our experienced lawyers can navigate the complexities of license reinstatement and work to protect your client’s rights and reputation. Securing top-rated legal representation after a DWI charge is not just about addressing the legal challenges; it’s about ensuring a path towards recovery and minimizing the charge’s impact on one’s future.

Penalties for DWI Charges in Louisiana

A first-time DWI is a misdemeanor offense, but don’t let that lead you to believe it is a slap on the wrist. A first-time DWI will open up a criminal history and remain valid for 10 years, during which the DWI will be counted against you if you are convicted and sentenced for a second offense. Whether you have been arrested for your first or third DWI, you will face minimum jail time, fines, and other penalties, such as:

First DWI (Misdemeanor): Up to six months imprisonment; fine up to $1,000
Second DWI (Misdemeanor): Up to six months imprisonment; fine up to $1,000
Third DWI (Felony): Up to five years imprisonment; fine up to $2,000
Fourth DWI (Felony): Up to thirty years imprisonment; fine up to $5,000

Depending on the nature of your offense, you could also be ordered to conduct community service, spend a minimum period of time in jail, pay for and install an ignition interlock device, attend a driver’s education program, and more. A Shreveport DWI defense lawyer can challenge your DWI to help you avoid the worst consequences.

Potential Defenses for Your DWI Charges

After you have been charged with a DWI, there are many different tactics our team can take for your defense. This includes:

Challenging the Traffic Stop

Your Shreveport DWI lawyer will investigate all aspects of the traffic stop that led to your arrest to ensure the officer conducted the stop properly. The officer must have had a reasonable suspicion of wrongdoing to pull you over. This means that he or she must have had a legitimate reason to believe you were breaking the law, such as clocking you speeding or observing irregular driving patterns that signaled impaired driving.

Without reasonable suspicion, the officer cannot pull a driver over and issue a citation. If the judge determines the officer lacked reasonable suspicion, the prosecutor may drop the charges.

Challenging the Breath Test

The breath test you took at the time of your DWI arrest may also have been riddled with errors due to faulty machinery or incompetent test administration. Your Shreveport DWI lawyer will investigate the test results and the breathalyzer itself to ensure accurate results.

Blood Test Administration and Handling

Similar to breathalyzer tests, the method of drawing, storing, and analyzing blood samples can be contested. Mishandling or contamination of the sample, or challenges to the chain of custody, can cast doubt on the reliability of the results.

Improper Police Conduct

Any evidence of police misconduct, such as coercion during interrogation, failure to read Miranda rights, or tampering with evidence, can be grounds for dismissing charges or suppressing evidence.

Medical Condition

Certain medical conditions, such as diabetes or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), can produce symptoms similar to intoxication or interfere with alcohol absorption and BAC testing results. Presenting evidence of such conditions can be a viable defense.

Contact an Experienced DWI Attorney in Shreveport, LA Today

Don’t hesitate to get a persistent Shreveport DWI defense lawyer on your side. Attorney Eric Johnson of John D. & Eric G. Johnson Law Firm has successfully defended clients in DWI and related cases for over 24 years. He has excellent working relations with investigators and experts and puts their expertise to work to mitigate the penalties pertaining to DWI charges. He will also take care to appear for the driver’s license hearing on your behalf, so you have the best chance of keeping your driver’s license.

Call (318) 377-1555 for a free consultation or use our online contact form today to get started.