DWI Lawyers in Metairie, Louisiana

DWI, Driving while intoxicated, is a serious criminal offense in Metairie, Louisiana. It is illegal for you to take the wheel of a vehicle or operate a vessel or watercraft while intoxicated.  If you are caught behind the wheel of a vehicle while drunk in Metairie, Louisiana, you could face severe punishment.  DWI is a criminal offense and is severely punished in Jefferson Parish. However, our DWI lawyers in Metairie know how to protect our clients to minimize the damage to their driver’s license, criminal record, insurance, and career. If you were arrested for misdemeanor DWI in Metairie, you will have court at the First Parish Courthouse on David Drive. If you were arrested for felony DWI, then you will have court at the 24th Judicial District Courthouse in Gretna. 

Laws Guiding DWI in Metairie, Louisiana

When a person’s BAC – blood alcohol content is .08 or greater, they are charged for DWI. A driver whose BAC is well over .15 or on the high level of .20 faces harsher penalties, including a mandatory 2 days in jail.  Our DWI lawyers can sometimes get the prosecutor and judge to agree not to implement jail time. 

A person under the influence of a combination of alcohol or dangerous drugs, whether obtained with or without prescription is charged for DUI. 

The penalties of DWI becomes steeper or harsher as the offender goes from a first offense to a second, to a third, and more.

e subsequent offenses. A subsequent offender may be charged for a felony DWI.

Penalties For DWI

There are a lot of penalties to be issued out to anyone convicted of DWI in Metairie, Louisiana. They include jail time, fines, community service, probation, license suspension, and a lot more depending on the number of subsequent DWI convictions on your record within the last 10 years.

First DWI Offense (Misdemeanor)

A first DWI in Metairie, Kenner, or Metairie is considered a misdemeanor. The offender shall be imprisoned for not less than 10 days nor more than 6 months, pay a fine of not less than $300 nor more than $1,000.

Also, they could serve up to 2 years probation, perform at least 32 hours of community service, half of which includes litter detail. They are also directed to attend an abuse program and a driver improvement program approved by the court.

Special penalty requirement for a first offense

(a)  If the BAC is .15 or above, an additional 48 hours jail term that cannot be suspended is imposed by the court.

(b) if the BAC is .20 or above, the defendant may serve a mandatory 48 hours jail time, pay a fine of $750 to $1,000, and have an ignition interlock device installed for 12 months.

Second DWI Offense (misdemeanor)

The offender could serve a jail term of 30 days to 6 months, pay a fine of $750 to $1,000. Also, they could serve up to 6 months probation, perform 240 hours of community service, and attend court-approved re-education programs- substance abuse program and driver improvement program.

Special penalty requirement for a second offense

If the driver’s BAC is .15 or above, they may serve a mandatory 96 hours jail time. If .20 or above, they could serve a mandatory 96 hours jail time, pay a fine of $1,000, and have their driver’s license suspended for 4 years. They must install an ignition interlock device for at least 3 years.

If a second DWI is combined with negligent injury charge, the prison term increases to 2 to 5 years and a fine of up to $2,000, for which 6 months must be served without benefit of parole or suspension.

Third DWI Offense (Felony)

A third DWI is charged and punished as a felony in Metairie, Louisiana. A third offender is sentenced to 1 to 5 years imprisonment, with 1 year to be served without suspension. Pay a fine of $2,000.

Serve up to 5 years probation for which 1 year must be served in jail, along with re-education and community service. They must also perform 240 hours of community service. They must undergo Substance Abuse Evaluation and 4 weeks of inpatient treatment and 12 months of outpatient treatment.

Home incarceration for up to 6 months and they are required to wear a tracking device and obey curfew restrictions. An ignition interlock device must be installed on all vehicles driven by the offender. Offender forfeits the car and the prosecutor may choose to seize or sell it.

Will I be published in the newspaper For A DWI?

Yes, you could legally be published for a DWI. The media gets booking information and post in the news, so you could be published for a DWI since the arrest is public information.

Can I Talk My Way Out of A DWI?

Unfortunately, no. A DWI is not a simple offense you can talk your way out of. It is a criminal offense for which you need to hire a Metairie DWI attorney because an experienced attorney knows what defenses to look for. DWI cases can be complex because there are minor details that can make a big impact on your case. 

Feel free to contact our DWI lawyers in Metairie at 504-321-4300 if you need help. We represent clients in all areas of Louisiana. We also represent many clients that live out-of-state.