Louisiana traffic safety laws define drunk driving (Driving While Intoxicated [DWI] or Driving Under the Influence [DUI]) by blood alcohol concentration (BAC) or field sobriety test. You may be legally classified as intoxicated if:

  • You are under 21 and have a BAC of .02% or greater
  • You are 21 or older and have a BAC of .08% or greater

Police in Louisiana can arrest you for a DWI/DUI if your BAC is between .05% and .07% and they suspect you have been using other drugs in combination with alcohol.

The Penalties for Breaking the Laws

DWIs can come with severe penalties:

1st Offense

2nd Offense

3rd Offense

4th Offense
  • License suspended for up to 90 days
  • Up to 6 months in jail
  • Fines up to $1,000 + court costs
  • License suspended for up to 1 year
  • Mandatory 48 hours in jail and up to 6 months additional jail time
  • Fines up to $1,000 + court costs
    		•
  • License suspended for up to 2 years
  • Mandatory 30 days in jail and up to 5 years in prison
  • Fines up to $2,000 + court costs
  • In- and out-patient substance abuse programs
  • You may lose your car

    •  
  • License suspended for up to 2 years
  • Mandatory 30 days in jail and up to 30 years in prison
  • Fines up to $5,000 + court costs
  • In- and out-patient substance abuse programs
  • You may lose your car

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    1st and 2nd offenses are misdemeanors. The 3rd and subsequent offenses are felonies. All charges can go on your record, and that could affect your ability to keep your professional licenses or get a job.

    A DUI attorney can help you fight to keep your driving record from ruining your future. The Covington DUI defense team at Ellen Cronin Badeaux, LLC will fight to get your charges dropped, penalties reduced and conviction expunged.

    Attorney for DWIDUI Defense

    If you’ve been arrested for a DWI in Covington, Louisiana, you still have rights. And the attorneys at Ellen Cronin Badeaux, LLC will make sure that yours are protected.

    The DUI defense attorneys at Ellen Cronin Badeaux, LLC will investigate your case to make sure that the arresting officer correctly administered the BAC breath test and field sobriety test, that the equipment used was properly calibrated, that the officer had probable cause to stop, and whether your charge can be reduced from a 4th to  a 3rd, from a 3rd to a 2nd or from a 2nd to a 1st. We will represent you in both administrative and criminal proceedings. We will offer sound legal advice about your options every step of the way.

    A DWI arrest shouldn’t devastate your future. With the help of the DUI defense attorneys at Ellen Cronin Badeaux, LLC you may be able to minimize the impact your arrest has on your driving privileges, your professional goals, your insurance, your recreation licenses and your record. Contact us today to discuss your case.Badeaux Law Office

    Call 985-892-1955 to schedule a consultation with experienced DWI defense lawyers in Covington, Louisiana today.

    Ellen Cronin Badeaux, LLC serves the parishes of St. Tammany, Washington, Livingston, Tangipahoa, St. Helena, Jefferson, Orleans, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, West Feliciana, and Ascension. We are happy to help those in the communities of Amite, Baton Rouge, Covington, Denham Springs, Hammond, Livingston, Mandeville, Metairie, New Orleans and Slidell.