DWI Arrest In Louisiana: What Should I Do?

If you've been charged with DWI, make sure you have a DWI attorney.

1. Drunk Driving Is A Criminal Offense
While some people believe a drunk driving arrest is no different from a traffic citation, that couldn't be further from the truth. Yes, the majority of traffic offenses are civil infractions and carry no significant penalty other than a fine and a driver’s license suspension. However, a conviction for a drunk driving offenses will result in a criminal record. Even worse, it can result in significant fines or a jail sentence, or probation.

A DWI conviction can remain on your driving record for a minimum of 10 years. This could influence what you pay for car insurance, likely resulting in higher insurance premiums.

2. You Do Have Constitutional Rights You Can Use
One of the fundamental rights you've likely heard at some point, "right to remain silent." If the police believe you may be drunk or impaired, they will likely ask you whether you've been drinking and if so, how much you've drunk. In most cases, the majority of men and women choose to answer this question. Most attorneys will recommend being quiet.

For starters, your admission alone may constitute probable cause to arrest you and give you a breathalyzer test. Secondly, some jurisdictions allow you to be charged with an impaired driving offense, even if your blood alcohol content is below the legal limit. Yeah, you need to be patient and really think this through. You should never consent to a search of your vehicle, even if you believe that you are in possession of nothing incriminating.

3. You May Face Separate Driver’s License Sanctions
While you'll face a criminal charge for a drunk driving offense, you could also face DMV penalties too. Your driver’s license will be taken from you at the time of your arrest, and you'll be issued a paper license. You will get 15 days from the your arrest date to challenge the suspension of your driver’s license, if you choose to not to do so, you may be subject to driver’s license sanctions.

4. Talk To An Attorney Now
If you want to know your full extent of rights and make sure they're protected, you need to consult with a lawyer who practices drunk driving defense law. An attorney familiar with DWI Defenseis going to know how to challenge breath, blood, or chemical tests, how to dispute the validity of the original traffic stop, and how to best protect your license.

Make sure you consult a lawyer if you have do have a prior impaired driving conviction, Louisiana usually imposes more serious penalties on repeat offenders than on first time drunk drivers. Criminal defense attorney Lance J. Robinson has over 20 years of criminal law experience. Call us today for a free consult at 504-465-0101 - or you can this contact form.