Who Is The Best Louisiana DWI Lawyer?
Are you wondering: who is the best DWI lawyer in Louisiana? Or perhaps you want to know which law firm in Louisiana is best known for helping with DWI cases? This post will touch upon your commonly asked question and help you to locate the best DWI lawyer near you.
Louisiana drivers can be slapped with mandatory use of an ignition interlock device after their first DWI conviction. With such high stakes, it is no surprise that most drivers facing charges seek the help of Louisiana DUI attorneys.
But do you really need a DWI lawyer? How do you know? If you do need one, how do you find one?
Here are the facts.
What’s at Stake in a Louisiana DWI Case
Louisiana takes intoxicated driving cases very seriously. As a result, the consequences of DUI can be severe. This is true even for first-time offenses.
Many drivers don’t realize that a simple DUI charge can lead to:
- Loss of driving privileges
- Hefty fines
- Hundreds of hours of community service
- Jail time
- Years of probation
- Enrollment in re-education programs
- The fitting of your vehicle with an ignition interlock device
If there are other factors involved, such as child endangerment charges, the penalties can be even stiffer.
These, of course, are only the first-line consequences. But having a DUI conviction on your record can have far-reaching impacts on the rest of your life.
At a minimum, a DWI can affect your:
- Relationships
- Current employment
- Future employment opportunities
Drivers convicted of felony DUI face a raft of other long-term consequences that will follow them for the rest of their lives.
Long-term consequences of DUI tend to include:
- Difficulty finding employment
- Challenges securing housing
- Loss of the right to vote
- Travel restrictions
With so much at stake, it is essential that you handle your case with care.
Why You Need a Top-Notch DWI Lawyer
It can be tempting to try to handle your case yourself. This is particularly true for first-time offenders, who may believe they don’t need Louisiana DWI attorneys to attain good outcomes.
Attempting to represent yourself is never a good idea, however. The DUI process is complex and the learning curve is steep. Any mistakes you make along the way can cost you dearly.
Often, officers, judges, and other legal authorities lack patience with arrestees who try to represent themselves without a good understanding of how the process works. This impatience can lead them to be less willing to work with you or give you breaks.
Representing Yourself For DWI Charges Is A Bad Idea!
Representing yourself also leaves you without access to the kind of insider knowledge that can make a huge difference in your ultimate outcomes. For instance, prosecutors often offer plea deals, particularly to first- or second-time offenders.
But if you are not familiar with the prosecutor, the process, and the legal language involved you can:
- Reject a good deal because you don’t realize it’s good
- Accept a deal that is not in your best interest
- Settle for the first acceptable deal instead of getting the best deal available
You also face all of the stress and demands of the process alone.
DUI lawyers in Louisiana can help you navigate the process as smoothly as possible.
A Louisiana DUI Lawyer Can:
- Assess your situation with an experienced eye
- Provide you with informed advice
- Make calls and attend court appearances for you
- Help you secure the best available outcomes
Most importantly, Baton Rouge DWI lawyers can help you protect your future. They reduce the likelihood that you’ll lose your license or spend time in jail and get you back on your feet faster.
A Word About Cost
Residents of Livingston and Ascension Parishes may hesitate to seek the help of a DWI lawyer over concerns about cost. Often, however, arrestees have very little information on the total costs involved and so it is difficult to make an informed decision.
In fact, hiring an attorney tends to be the most cost-effective choice available. Between posting bail and paying fines and fees, arrestees can face many more costs during their case than they expect.
If their case goes poorly, they can see even higher costs in the long run in the form of:
- Lost wages
- Alternative transportation costs after losing their license
- License reinstatement costs
- Other case- and consequence-related expenses
By contrast, hiring an attorney right away can be highly cost-effective. DWI lawyers in Louisiana can give you the information you need to make good choices from the very beginning.
They can minimize the total consequences you bear and how disruptive those consequences are to your life. They can help you get your case done and over with so that you can move forward in productive and financially secure ways. At the end of the day, that costs less in both the short- and long-term than trying to handle your case yourself.
How to Choose the Best DWI Lawyer in Louisiana
Of course, for the best results, you can’t choose just any lawyer. Attorneys who don’t specialize in DUI cases are unlikely to have the expertise and experience you need to get the best outcomes.
Among attorneys who do specialize in DUI cases, it is important to choose someone you trust and feel comfortable with. This will facilitate the open communication that is essential to working well together in pursuit of the best outcomes.
Criminal Defense Attorney Carl Barkemeyer consistently ranks as one of the best DWI attorneys in Louisiana.
Carl Barkemeyer, Criminal Defense Attorney and DWI Lawyer is respected for his:
- High levels of customer satisfaction and trust
- History of positive case outcomes
- Cost
- Professional excellence
This makes him an ideal choice for any Louisiana resident charged with DUI who needs representation as they address the charges against them.
In addition to being well-versed in DUI law, he is also experienced in other charges that may co-occur with DUI arrests. These include drug charges and failure to appear charges. He also has a strong record in assisting college students with the unique challenges and factors associated with their cases.
Schedule a Consultation Today
If you face DUI charges, don’t wait. Schedule a consultation with Louisiana’s best DWI lawyer today. Let us provide the help you need to achieve the best possible outcomes in your case.
Now you should know more about finding and hiring the best DWI lawyer in Louisiana!