What Are the Penalties for a DWI in Louisiana?

First-Time DWI Penalties 

• Fines from $300 to $1,000
• Jail time of 10 days to 6 months behind bars
• Probation for up to 2 years
• Community service, including picking up garbage in the community
• Court-ordered alcohol classes: You will be required to complete an approved alcohol abuse program

FIRST-TIME DWI WITH ADDITIONAL PENALTIES

• BAC over .15, 48 hours of mandatory jail time
• BAC over .20, 48 hours of mandatory jail time
• BAC over .20, fines from $750 to $1,000
• Ignition Interlock Device installation, at your cost, for 1 year

SECOND-TIME DWI PENALTIES (MISDEMEANOR CASES)

• Fines: $750 to $1,000
• Jail time of 30 days to 6 months
• 48 hours mandatory jail time
• Probation up to 6 months
• 240 hours of community service
• Ignition Interlock Device may be ordered for 6 months

SECOND-TIME DWI ADDITIONAL PENALTIES

• BAC over .15, 96 hours of mandatory jail time
• BAC over .20, 96 hours of mandatory jail time, $1,000 in fines
• Negligent Injury or Vehicular Homicide caused by a DWI driver come with penalties of 1 to 5 years, fines of $2,000, and no option to suspend sentence or parole

THIRD-TIME DWI PENALTIES 

• Charged as a felony
• $2,000 in fines
• 5 years in prison, 1 year mandatory, no suspended sentence or parole option
• Probation may run for 5 years, with 1 year served in jail
• Community service for 240 hours
• Psych evaluation regarding substance abuse
• Inpatient substance abuse treatment for 4 weeks and up to 12 months of outpatient treatment

THIRD-TIME DWI ADDITIONAL PENALTIES

• Children under 16 in the vehicle will trigger additional penalties, including fines and incarceration

FOURTH-TIME DWI PENALTIES

• Felony charge
• Fines of $5,000
• Imprisonment for 10 to 30 years, 2 years mandatory, no suspension, no parole option
• Probation up to 5 years
• Mandatory community service for 320 hours
• Psych evaluation regarding substance abuse and addiction
• Mandatory inpatient alcohol abuse treatment followed by up to 12 months outpatient
• Vehicle forfeiture may be imposed 
• Home incarceration, including ankle monitor, curfew, and tracking at your cost

For a leading DWI defense lawyer with a powerful record of favorable results in tough cases, contact us at (985) 315-3988 and request a free case review.