| A Louisiana DUI (Driving Under the Influence) is also | | | | subsequent convictions. |
| called a DWI (Driving While under the Influence). There | | | | Although the first offenses are usually misdemeanors, |
| is no difference between dui and dwi; you face the | | | | you may be charged with a felony if you've had two |
| possibility of jail time, fines, the loss of your driver's | | | | prior Louisiana DUI convictions within the past ten |
| license, community service, and participation in | | | | years. Your first dui offense brings a jail sentence of |
| counseling and educational programs either way. And | | | | from 10 days to six months, fines, plus all fees and |
| you can face dui charges if you are under the | | | | court costs of from $300 to $1,000, a 90-day |
| influence of alcohol and/or drugs. | | | | mandatory loss of your driver's license (you will not be |
| You can be charged with a dui if you are an adult and | | | | eligible for a hardship license for the first 30 days), 32 |
| your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is.08. For | | | | hours of community service, as well as the completion |
| drivers under the age of 21, however, a BAC of.02 is | | | | of alcohol education classes. However, some or all of |
| the legal limit. If you are underage and charged with | | | | the mandatory minimums can be substituted if you |
| your first dui, you will be fined from $100 to $250, and | | | | participate in substance abuse and driver improvement |
| lose your license for 180 days. Participation in both a | | | | programs, in conjunction with community service. But if |
| court-approved driver improvement and substance | | | | minors 12 years old or younger are in the vehicle at the |
| abuse program is mandatory. And there is a possibility | | | | time of the arrest, the minimum mandatory sentence |
| your sentence will be suspended with probation. | | | | cannot be suspended. And if your BAC is.15 or higher, |
| However, if your BAC is.10 or greater, you will be | | | | you must serve at least 48 hours in jail without the |
| subject to the same penalties as if you were an adult. | | | | possibility of parole, probation or suspension of your |
| For drivers holding a commercial driver's license (CDL), | | | | sentence. |
| a BAC of.04 is considered a dui. Your CDL will be | | | | After you've been arrested for a dui, you only have 15 |
| suspended for one year if you are convicted of DUI in | | | | days in which to request a hearing with the |
| Louisiana, or if you refused a chemical test. And your | | | | Department of Public Safety and Corrections. If you |
| CLD will be suspended for three years if you were | | | | fail to do so, your license will be suspended. Many dui |
| hauling hazardous materials at the time of the dui. | | | | defense attorneys can offer you dui help on how to |
| Finally, your CDL will be permanently revoked for any | | | | navigate this process. |