DWI Overview

Metairie, Louisiana, Drunk Driving Defense Attorneys

Our DWI defense attorneys have dealt with all of the issues related to DUI charges, including administrative hearings and chemical testing. We have handled all types of DUI offenses:

Blood Alcohol Level

This is the most common and well-known basis for DWI charges. If your blood alcohol content is above the legal limit of .08, then you can be charged with DWI. The charge is a legally rebuttable presumption, which is an assumption that is taken to be true unless one of the parties can show otherwise. In other words, if you blow a .08 or greater and are charged with DWI, then it will be up to your defense to show why you are not guilty.

Under the Influence by Observation

You can be deemed under the influence of an alcoholic beverage by observation and without a chemical test. This charge can also be made if you refuse to submit to a breathalyzer.

Mixing Alcohol with Non-Scheduled Drugs

The combination of alcohol with a non-scheduled or over-the-counter drug can cause you to become impaired. Even consuming too much of a cold medication with a high alcohol content can show up on a breathalyzer. You do not need to be intoxicated with alcohol to be charged with DWI. Under the right (or wrong!) conditions, a small amount of alcohol mixed with any kind of drug could impair you.

Under the Influence of Controlled Dangerous Substance

Even if you haven't been drinking, you can still be charged with driving under the influence of a controlled dangerous substance. Those are listed under the schedules of the state drug statutes.

Multiple DWI Offenses/Felony DWI

In Louisiana, a third DWI offense is considered a felony with a penalty of up to 5 years in jail. For offenses beyond that the penalty is up to 30 years. The previous convictions are reviewed and it is possible for our DWI defense lawyers to argue to quash previous pleas.

Commercial/Occupational DWI

Some of our clients who make their living by driving have faced DWI charges. They face loss of their license for blowing .04 or refusing to blow. Our DWI defense attorneys can contest this loss of license and if necessary argue for economic hardship licenses and an analog device installed in the vehicle.

Underage Driving under the Influence of Alcohol

A zero-tolerance policy exists in Louisiana for anyone under 21 drinking and driving. Anything above a .02 blood alcohol level will cause a loss of their license for 180 days. Refusing to blow carries the same penalty. Our attorneys can contest this suspension.

For more information or to schedule a free consultation, please contact us.