Louisiana DUI Consequences

You don’t need a law degree to know that driving under the influence (DUI) is a serious offense in the United States. With elected officials continually passing new laws to deter motorists from drinking and driving, DUI remains a high priority for lawmakers across the country—including Louisiana. As home to “The Big Easy,” you may assume Louisiana laws are more lax than in other states. However, in light of all the Louisiana DUI consequences a convicted drunk driver faces, nothing could be further from the truth.

For a first-time offender, the penalties for DUI include a $300 to $1,000 fine, up to a two-year license suspension, and a maximum six-month jail sentence. If this is your second conviction, you can expect to pay at least $750 in fines, lose your license for the next year, and spend a minimum of 30 days behind bars. You may also be required to have an ignition interlock device installed in your vehicle—which means you must perform a breathalyzer in order to operate your vehicle, as well as pay additional costs for the device’s installation, monitoring, and maintenance.

Although a first or second drunk driving charge is classified as a misdemeanor, a third offense is considered a felony crime. As a result, if you are convicted of a third or subsequent DUI, you’ll face the harshest penalties under state law. If this is your third offense, your sentence may include a $2,000 fine, mandatory license suspension, and one to five years of jail time.

In terms of penalties, a fourth DUI carries a much greater fine ($5,000) and jail sentence (10 to 30 years). However, regardless of whether it’s your third or fourth offense, you can expect to lose your license for the next three years or more. Once your driving privileges are restored, you will almost certainly have to have a vehicle ignition interlock device installed in your vehicle—and in some cases, your vehicle may be confiscated and sold by the state. As a habitual drunk driver, you may also be required to undergo treatment for alcoholism, requiring four weeks of inpatient treatment, followed by a year of outpatient therapy (and all at your own expense, of course).

Along with the penalties listed above, a Louisiana DUI conviction can have a long-term impact on your day-to-day life. Prospective employers, housing providers, and universities will see your conviction when they check your background—a fact that may prevent them from considering you at all.

Last, but not least, it is important to remember that a DUI conviction can wreak havoc on your budget. In addition to paying hundreds or thousands of dollars in fines and penalties, you will face even more expenses when your insurance provider finds out about your conviction. And once that happens, your rates will skyrocket—often costing two to three times more than your current policy.

However, there is good news: with help from an experienced DUI defense attorney, you can significantly increase your chances of obtaining a successful outcome to your case. Indeed, thousands of drivers like you are able to get their charges reduced or dismissed entirely—and all it takes is a strong legal strategy.

To determine the best course of action for your case, complete our online form today for a free, no-obligation consultation with a skilled DUI defense firm in your area.