Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) is considered a very serious offense in Louisiana, and a conviction can therefore cause lifelong problems. To mount the best DWI Defense in Lafayette LA, there are two important things to do: first, learn more about how DWIs in Louisiana work and second, to hire an experienced DWI lawyer. Here are the details on DWI offenses in LA.
Defining DWI
Driving While Intoxicated can mean several different things in Louisiana. While the traditional interpretation of DWI involves alcohol intoxication, the definition has been expanded to include other dangerous substances like drugs. Drugs can be either controlled or non-controlled — the focus is on whether the drug causes intoxication.
The Penalties for DWI in Louisiana
There are different levels of DWI today. If the blood alcohol level is greater than .15, penalties increase. The penalties increase again when the blood alcohol level is greater than .20. Another thing that can increase penalties is the total number of DWI offenses. With each subsequent offense, the penalties are tougher. When a person gets a third DWI, the charges become felony charges while the first two DWIs are misdemeanors.
How a DWI Attorney Can Help
A DWI attorney focuses on defending their client to help them secure a “not guilty” decision from the judge. Defense consists of more than just trying for a not guilty verdict, however. In some cases, the evidence can’t be ignored and some type of punishment may be inevitable. However, with the help of an experienced lawyer there is no reason that the penalties have to be enforced to the maximum levels.
A good lawyer is often able to help their client avoid jail time, or at least to avoid actual “hard time” (versus a suspended sentence.) The DWI lawyer will also do everything in their power to secure a misdemeanor conviction rather than a felony conviction in cases where a conviction can’t be avoided. The additional punishments that come along with DWI conviction can be minimized in many cases, as well. This may mean lower fines, less community service, and even avoiding having the charge be revealed to the public.
Need help with a DWI defense in Lafayette LA? Chris Richard can help. Check out the chrisrichardattorney.com website to learn more about DWI defense in Louisiana today.
