DWI Lawyer & DUI Attorney

Arrested for DWI in Louisiana – What Happens Next?

Upon your release from jail, you will receive a white 8 x 11” paper temporary license from the police that will be valid for 30 days. You’ll also receive a summons or appearance bond sheet with a court date. Some jurisdictions do not provide court dates at the arrest. If the police officer attempts to give you legal advice regarding the complex court and DMV processes, do not take it. Wait to speak to a DWI attorney.  Seeking top-notch legal defense immediately is essential for safeguarding your future.

Within 24-48 hours following your release, it is crucial to consult with a DUI attorney to ensure timely initiation of the DMV Administrative Hearing process. Missing the critical 30-day deadline to request the hearing could result in an automatic suspension of your driver’s license. When you reach out to our firm, you will have direct access to a DUI attorney with extensive experience and expertise in effectively defending DUI cases in Louisiana. We can commence the process through phone consultations or in-person meetings. We will provide a comprehensive explanation of the process and outline the immediate steps required to launch your successful DUI defense.

It’s important to recognize that a DWI or DUI case involves two separate proceedings following an arrest:

1) DMV case

2) Criminal court case

Each of these cases operates independently, and we will initiate the necessary preparations for both. View more questions and answers here. 

A Tale of Two Cases

1. The DMV Case:

The DMV case demands immediate attention due to its time-sensitive nature, as any delay can lead to an automatic driver’s license suspension.

Following your arrest, our primary and urgent task is to contact the DMV to request an Administrative Hearing, secure all pertinent documents such as reports, probable cause statements, Intoxilyzer results and checklist, calibration logs, maintenance technician certifications and information, operator certifications and schedule a DMV hearing date.

When you engage our services, we take care of all these crucial steps on your behalf. We promptly initiate contact with the DMV to safeguard your driving privileges. We inform the DMV of our intention to vigorously contest the case, challenging every aspect of the DWI charge. Our lawyers conduct the hearing on your behalf.

We ensure that the DMV promptly issues you an extended temporary license, allowing you to maintain full driving privileges even after a DWI arrest and past the initial 30 days. Once we receive the police reports and discovery materials from the DMV, we meticulously examine the specific evidence in your case, formulating the most effective defense strategy. The DMV process can be exceedingly challenging, with attempts to suspend driver’s licenses in nearly all DWI-related cases. Our impressive track record demonstrates our success in preserving your driving privileges at the DMV level.

In cases where a hearing results in suspension, we provide guidance to our clients in obtaining a restricted hardship license, assisting them through each step of the process. License suspensions can range from 180 days to several years, and drivers may also be required to install an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) for extended periods.

2. The Criminal Court Case:

The second component of a DUI case is the court case, also known as the criminal case. This is where you potentially face a range of penalties, including fines, mandatory classes, and, in severe instances, imprisonment. This takes place in a courtroom at the courthouse with a prosecutor and judge.

The court case represents a major aspect of our defense efforts, given the potential life-altering consequences associated with it. In many instances, you may not need to personally appear in court for the criminal case, as we represent you. Typically, there are multiple court hearings as we defend the DUI charge, and the legal process may last several months. Acquiring all available evidence through the discovery process is critical to constructing a proper defense.

Importance Of Experience For DWI Defense

Our firm has a combined over 100 years experience defending clients. During that time, we have successfully represented hundreds of clients charged with misdemeanor DWI and felony DWI in New Orleans, Slidell, Jefferson, Tangipahoa, Shreveport, Bossier, Baton Rouge, Monroe, Livingston, Lafayette, Covington, Lake Charles, and all throughout Louisiana.  We know all the legal and technical defenses to a DWI arrest and prosecution and how to fight the DWI to get the best result for our clients.

Every Client’s DWI Charges Are Different

We recognize that everyone’s case is different because every individual is different.  The facts of the stop, field sobriety tests, breathalyzer and other chemical tests, and other information are all different from case to case. Also, each of our clients have different personal and work lives that the DWI may affect. We take all this into consideration when determining how to defend our clients. We speak to our clients to learn about them and their situation and so they understand the court process. This helps our clients because we can build a DWI defense strategy that works best for each client. We strive to be the best DWI lawyer we can be for our clients. See here for more information on our Louisiana DWI defense services.

Out Of State Help For DWI Charges In Louisiana

If you received a DWI or DUI in Louisiana, but live out-of-state or out of the area, our Louisiana DWI lawyers may be able to help. We have represented many clients for DWI who could not attend court dates due to living far away. Depending on your type of case, we may be able to resolve your case without you having to spend money, time, and effort on travel to handle your charge.  Hiring Barkemeyer Law Firm is easy. You do not need to come all the way to Louisiana to hire our DWI lawyers.

We have streamlined the process so hiring us is quick and easy because it is done over the internet and phone.  We accept all major credit cards. Learn more about our out-of-state defense.