New Orleans DWI Consequences: Lawyers Who Will Fight Them
Being convicted of a DWI can have far-reaching and life-altering consequences. Not only could you face jail time and heavy fines, but you risk losing your driver's license and having a DWI conviction on your criminal record. You need representation by an aggressive New Orleans DWI Lawyer to prevent or minimize those consequences.
At the Law Offices of Troy G. Broussard, J.D., we work quickly and proactively to defend your rights and to fight both the criminal and civil consequences of a DWI. Contact us to schedule a free consultation with an experienced New Orleans DWI consequences lawyer.
An arrest for a DWI in Louisiana initiates two separate, but equally grave legal proceedings: the criminal case and the administrative driver's license suspension.
The Criminal Case: Facing a Possible Conviction
In addition to the fines and penalties that are a direct consequence of a DWI conviction, you could face a number of life-changing issues:
- Jail time: If you are convicted of DWI, you face jail time ranging from 10 days to six months on a first offense — but going up to a maximum of 30 years in jail for a fourth-offense felony DWI.
- Financial ramifications: The financial costs of a DWI conviction are also no small matter. The fines start out at $300 plus court costs and go up to $5000 on multiple offenses. Your insurance rates will also skyrocket, if you can get insurance at all. In some cases, you could forfeit your car.
- Job loss: If you are a commercial driver convicted of DWI, you could lose your CDL — and your livelihood. Companies that rely on background checks when hiring may choose not to hire applicants with drunk-driving convictions. A conviction for drinking and driving can cost you some professional licenses, make you harder to insure, and keep you from being bondable — making it more expensive to hire you as a contractor. Multiple DWIs may make you ineligible to join the armed forces.
- Lost educational opportunities: If your conviction was for driving under the influence of drugs, you could lose your eligibility for college financial aid.
- Family law consequences: Criminal convictions and evidence of substance abuse can count against you in a divorce or child custody case.
You need an aggressive, committed New Orleans DWI consequences lawyer to defend you. Our DWI defense attorneys have over 20 years experience defending people in DWI cases and minimizing the devastating consequences a criminal conviction can have on your life.
The Civil Case: Suspension of Your Driver’s License
The second legal proceeding after a DWI arrest is a civil case before the Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) to suspend your driving privileges. This process happens quickly, and time is of the essence if you want to keep your license.
You have only 15 days to request an administrative hearing following a DWI arrest or you WILL lose your license for at least 90 days.
Even if you are from another state, the consequences of a Louisiana DUI/DWI conviction can follow you home. Louisiana is a member of the Interstate Driver License Compact. If you are convicted of DWI in Louisiana, that information will be sent to the department of motor vehicles in your home state. Depending on the laws of your state, it could be used to suspend your home-state driver's license and as a prior conviction if you are pulled over for drunk driving again.
Also any DUI or DWI convictions from the other 44 states participating in the Interstate Driver License Compact will be shared with the Louisiana courts, and Louisiana can use those convictions against you.
At the Law Offices of Troy G. Broussard, J.D., our New Orleans DWI consequences lawyers will get to work quickly to get the situation under control and fight to minimize the devastating consequences of a DWI. Contact us for a free consultation today.
