Statues & Penalties for DWI

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) 282-2552 and request a free case review.