If you were arrested and charged with a DUI in Baton Rouge, Louisiana or a neighboring City please call Brandon Stockstill @ 225-302-8959.

Brandon S. Stockstill
Attorney at Law
10537 Kentshire Court, Suite B
Baton Rouge, LA. 70810
bstockstill@gmail.com
Telephone: 225-302-8959

Lake Charles, Louisiana DWI Lawyer

Being charged with DWI is a serious offense that can have major repercussions, including jail time, loss of driving privileges, and monetary fines. It is very important that anyone facing a DWI charge in Louisiana understand what challenges they will encounter. It is important you seek the legal advice of a competent and knowledgeable DWI defense lawyer immediately. If you want to make sure you understand all of your rights and options, call today for a quick and easy consultation.

Arrested for DWI in Lake Charles, Louisiana?

Under Louisiana law, once you have been cited for violating the DWI statute, the state initiates two simultaneous, yet separate legal actions against you. The criminal action is in response to the ticket that was issued to you. Also, an administrative action is brought against your license by the Office of Motor Vehicles in Louisiana. Both actions can result in the suspension of your Louisiana driving privileges, so it is important to remember that there may be more penalties to consider and each action must be handled separately.

Louisiana DUI (driving under the influence) or DWI (driving while intoxicated) Administrative Hearing

If you do not request an administrative hearing within 15 days, your right to the hearing is lost, and your driver's license is automatically suspended for the applicable statutory time frame. In order to preserve your right to an administrative hearing, it is crucial that you submit your request to the Office of Motor Vehicles in Louisiana within 15 days. Contact an assertive and professional DWI criminal defense lawyer in Lake Charles, Louisiana to help, but do not delay.

Pursuant to Louisiana law, an individual has 15 days to request an Administrative Hearing from the Louisiana OMV. Once the arresting officer retains your state issued driver's license, you are issued a temporary receipt of license. This receipt will serve as your license for the following 15 days in lieu of the one retained by the officer.

DWI Penalties for First Time Offenders

Commercial Drivers - Commercial drivers are in violation of the DWI statute with a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) level of 0.04. A first time DWI (driving while intoxicated) or DUI (driving under the influence) conviction will result in the loss of the commercial driver's license for 1 year, while any subsequent DWI offenses will result in a lifetime loss of the commercial license.
Chemical Test Refusal - Refusing to submit to a test when requested by law enforcement will result in the revocation of driver's license in Louisiana for 180 days.
Driving Privileges - In Louisiana, a first time DUI (driving under the influence) or DWI (driving while intoxicated) conviction results in the revocation of Louisiana driving privileges for 1 (one) year.
Jail Time - A first time DUI (driving under the influence) or DWI (driving while intoxicated) offender in Lake Charles, Louisiana faces imprisonment between 10 days and 6 months.
Monetary Fines - In Lake Charles, Louisiana, fines for a first time DWI range between $300, up to $1,000, in addition to court costs.
Alcohol Evaluation - Successful completion of a DWI knowledge test and chemical assessment is required for reinstatement of Louisiana driving privileges.

DWI Subsequent Offenses

Penalties are increasingly more severe for any additional DWI violations. Due to the complexity of DWI laws in Louisiana, you may not be aware of rights and options. This is why a capable and experienced lawyer can guide you through this sometimes emotionally challenging process. If you want to make sure you have someone on your side in the courtroom, please contact a Louisiana DWI (driving while intoxicated) or DUI (driving under the influence) defense lawyer for a fast, free consultation.

Underage Driving Under the Influence (UDWI)

In Louisiana, a UDWI was a conviction received from any District, City, Municipal, Federal or Magistrate court having traffic jurisdiction for operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of beverages of alcoholic content with a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) level of .02 - .079 and under the age of 21 up until August 15, 2007. After that date, any UDWI conviction received are processed as a DWI.