Alexandria DWI Lawyer

DWI Attorney in Alexandria, LA

A DWI can impact your freedom, your driver’s license, your job, and your reputation. An Alexandria, LA, DWI lawyer knows that DWI doesn’t just involve police, courts, and lawyers; it impacts your life. That’s why we work to move quickly to stabilize the situation and develop a defense that serves both the facts of your case and the realities of Louisiana DWI defense.

Your Favorite Lawyer’s Favorite Lawyer

LaCour Law Firm serves Alexandria and the rest of Rapides Parish. Our Alexandria criminal defense lawyer, Christopher LaCour, founded the firm in 2010. Chris founded LaCour Law Firm after working as a public defender in Alexandria. He has spent years trying cases in Louisiana courtrooms.

We understand how judges and juries view DWI cases, and our firm routinely appears at the Rapides Parish Courthouse at 701 Murray Street in Alexandria. We know the judges, we know the prosecutors, and we know how cases like yours proceed through Louisiana’s legal system. Our practice does not treat clients as mere numbers and fights aggressively in the courtroom.

Understanding DWI in Louisiana

Louisiana’s DWI laws are some of the toughest in the region. The State of Louisiana takes DWI offenses very seriously, and prosecutors will fight hard to obtain a conviction. Generally speaking, it is illegal to drive a vehicle:

• While having a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent or more
• While under the influence of alcoholic beverages
• While under the influence of cannabis, whether natural or synthetic
• While intoxicated by narcotics, drugs, or other controlled dangerous substances

A DWI can also result from being under the influence of prescription drugs if it hinders your ability to drive. Because of this, a DWI arrest can lead to both a criminal prosecution and an administrative license suspension.

These two cases will typically occur on two separate tracks. It is important that both matters are handled properly to give you the greatest opportunity to keep your license.

There were an expected 244 alcohol-related traffic fatalities in Louisiana in 2023, with alcohol impairment accounting for around 30.1% of all car crashes. Over recent years, statewide DWI arrests have steadily climbed, with 8,308 DWI arrests reported in Louisiana in one recent reporting year. Over 13,000 DWI arrests were made in Louisiana in 2023, with 133 of those arrests occurring in Alexandria alone.

Penalties for DWI in Louisiana

When facing DWI charges in Louisiana, it’s important to know the penalties you are up against. Even for a first DWI offense, you face possible jail time. Other penalties include fines, substance abuse programs, community service, and a driver’s license suspension. The court may also order you to install an ignition interlock device, which restricts where you can drive.

Penalties increase with second and subsequent DWIs. These penalties include longer jail time, larger fines, longer periods of license suspension, and mandatory alcohol treatment programs. A felony DWI will have you facing even higher penalties, including prison time and the loss of your driver’s license for an extended period of time.

You can also face non-criminal penalties when facing a DWI. These can include losing your job, having professional licenses revoked, increased insurance costs, and harm to your reputation. Since you have so much to lose from a DWI conviction, it is important that you understand what penalties you are facing and how they may apply to your individual case.

Hire a DWI Lawyer

Facing a DWI charge can feel lonely. You shouldn’t have to navigate the criminal justice system alone. When you hire a DWI lawyer, you want someone who knows the law and treats you like a human being. At LaCour Law Firm, we take the time to go over your options, answer your questions, and customize a strategy that works towards your goals.

Speaking to an Alexandria DWI attorney who knows the law as soon as possible can help you protect your rights and get you in the greatest position for your case.

FAQs

How Do I Get a DWI Dismissed in Louisiana?

Your DWI can be dismissed if police violated your constitutional rights or failed to follow required protocols. Common violations include an illegal traffic stop, improper field sobriety tests, inaccurate testing, or a lack of probable cause to arrest. Comprehensive trial preparation can uncover case weaknesses. Aggressive representation can help you point out these issues to get your case dismissed. When this is not possible, a reduction in sentencing could apply.

How Long Does a DWI Stay on Your Record in Louisiana?

A DWI conviction will remain on your criminal record forever unless it is expunged. Louisiana applies a look-back period for sentencing purposes. The majority of DWI offenses carry a 10-year look-back window for determining if a particular DWI charge is a first, second, or subsequent offense. Expungement may be possible depending on the outcome of your case and how much time has passed since you completed the conditions of your sentence.

What Is the New DWI Law in Louisiana?

Recent revisions to Louisiana DWI law include increased look-back periods, expanded use of ignition interlock requirements, and harsher penalties for repeat offenders. A ten-year look-back period is becoming standard throughout Louisiana for most DWI sentencing. This means it is more likely that a previous conviction will be used to enhance sentencing. Ignition interlock devices are also being favored over actual license suspensions by courts.

What’s Worse, DUI Or DWI in Louisiana?

Driving under the influence is technically the same as driving while intoxicated in Louisiana. DWI in Louisiana can mean driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or both. Some states use DUI and DWI charges differently, but not Louisiana. You will be charged the same and face the same long-term consequences. The severity of punishment varies based on how many charges you have committed over a ten-year period.

Contact LaCour Law Firm

If you have been arrested for DWI in Louisiana, LaCour Law Firm can help you fight for your future. Contact us today for a consultation.