DWI Deferment and DUI Court Referral Programs in Louisiana

If you have been pulled over and arrested for a drinking and driving offense in Louisiana there are a few things that you can do to help stay out of jail and hopefully, avoid a life-changing DUI conviction. Depending on the type of charges you have, you may be required to complete a DWI or DUI Court Referral Program in Louisiana. If you are eligible for drug court, the treatment you will receive will involve supervision, counseling, and opportunities for education rather than a prison sentence. Drug court programs are often very successful because they treat the cause of the crime rather than just punishing someone after the fact. The code of criminal procedure in Louisiana is Article 894. This is the code that allows for a misdemeanor conviction to be set aside and dismissed after successful completion of probation. Then, the defendant is in the position to be able to immediately get the conviction off his/her record through the expungement process.

A DUI or DWI conviction in Louisiana is not something to be taken lightly. It can have serious life-changing consequences far-reaching into many areas of your life. Going to a DWI deferment program can help you avoid significant jail time, fines, and license revocation periods. Getting help for underlying alcohol addiction will help the courts determine if you are taking full responsibility for driving under the influence and breaking the law. Call us today and let us help you with your drinking and driving arrest and help you find an alcohol recovery program. Addiction No More ® can not give legal advice however if you are looking for rehabilitation for addiction we can help you find treatment in your area or anywhere in the country. Give us a call today and we can help. 

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What to do if you have been arrested for drinking and driving

Drinking and driving in Louisiana can be a serious offense and the consequences can have life-changing outcomes. If you have been pulled over, make sure that you know your rights and remain courteous at all times. Being compliant and courteous can have an effect on the outcome of the court’s layout as punishment.

Driving under the influence: Driving under the influence (DUI) Driving while intoxicated (DWI) and operating a motor vehicle under the influence (OUI). These are the common terms used to describe operating a motorized vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs. In Louisiana, driving while intoxicated is considered a misdemeanor and is subject to the state’s laws regarding driving while drunk.

DWI/DUI diversion rehabs in Louisiana are very familiar with the court-mandated treatment requirements that the courts have imposed for their court-ordered alcohol rehab centers. Some court-ordered DUI deferment programs will include alcohol evaluations and at the very least, alcohol and drug classes for first-time offenders. This can cost anywhere from $1000-2500 with fines, not including lawyer fees and bail.

If this is your second offense, getting involved in a treatment program for alcohol abuse will not only help your ongoing DWI-DUI case but benefit you as well. You should always enter into an alcohol treatment program knowing that there is a need for a change before something worse happens. Driving and Drinking can cost you your life or even worse someone else life. Treatment programs in Louisiana for criminal justice clients will work with the court system to handle all the requirements for treatment to be considered time served. Once all the financial consequences are paid by the defendant and community service is completed, the Louisiana district court may terminate the probation period.

Driving under the influence can damage many people’s lives other than yourself. Getting treatment for your alcohol dependency can help you understand that the risks of drinking and driving heavily outweigh the rewards. Sometimes, all it takes is to talk to someone who has had the burden of having someone die due to their alcohol consumption and driving under the influence. Our counselors are ready to take your call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

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DUI First-Offender and Diversion Programs

The penalty for your first offense of OWI, DUI, or DWI in Louisiana is 48 hours in jail, with up to two years of probation supervision. You will need approximately 30 hours of education in driver improvement, substance abuse, and a MADD victims impact program and at least 32 hours of community service.

The laws for DWI offenses are different in each state, and they allow for deferment programs in lieu of jail time. Some states, depending on the circumstances, will mandate treatment and community service. Some of these mandates can be handled while in treatment for alcohol abuse. Louisiana has a deferment program for first-time DWI offenders as long as there are no injuries, accidents, or drugs involved. If you have been arrested for your second DWI/DUI in Louisiana, it is highly recommended that you give us a call to find out your options for a deferment program instead of jail time. This will help with the possible consequences that the courts may impose on you. Drinking and driving can have serious outcomes including vehicular homicide, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and other very serious charges. When a minor is involved, there are more serious outcomes that the courts in Louisiana can impose on the offender. If there has been an accident or death due to drinking and driving there will be significant jail time imposed as well as the knowledge that your indulgence cost someone their life.

Consequences of driving drunk in Louisiana

Louisiana has specific drinking and driving laws and penalties for people who have been convicted of a DUI/DWI. There are minimum and maximum fines and penalties that are at the discretion of the judge and prosecuting attorney depending on many different factors and circumstances surrounding the case.

First Offense: 1st-time offenders in Louisiana can face a jail sentence of 10 days and up to 6 months, license suspension for 90 days, fines from $300-$1,000 (BAC of .20 could result in 2-year suspension, fines $700-$1,000)

Second Offense: 2nd drinking and driving conviction in Louisiana will result in license suspension for 1 year and 6 months of interlock ignition device monitoring. 2nd time DUI offenders face up to 6 months in jail with a minimum stay of 30 days and $750 to $1000 in fines. (BAC of .20 or greater will result in a suspension of driving privilege for a period of 4 years and a $1000 fine)

Third Offense: 3rd DWI conviction will result in your vehicle being impounded and subject to a public auction sale, your Driver’s license being suspended for 24 months, and a fine of $2000. If the third DWI conviction is within a 10-year period from the previous conviction a prison term is imposed from one to five years (may include hard labor).

Find Deferred Prosecution Rehabs Near Me

Please contact us by phone for immediate assistance. This is a necessary step in beginning the recovery process for yourself or for a loved one. Our addiction treatment specialists and staff have over 25 years of experience in helping people find effective and affordable treatment for all addictions. What you tell us is completely confidential. We are HIPAA compliant. We are here to answer your questions and to get you (or a loved one) into treatment today. For immediate intake, call us now.

We can help you locate treatment for addiction in your area or anywhere in the country. To locate AA meetings, group meetings, 12-step programs, inpatient treatment, or outpatient services in your town give us a call. There are many options for drug rehab services in many cities in Louisiana.

1-800-513-5423

Baton Rouge, Louisiana Alcohol Rehabs
Bossier City, LA. Alcohol Addiction Treatment
Lafayette, Louisiana Drug & Alcohol Rehabilitation
Lake Charles, Louisiana Substance Abuse and Alcoholism Treatment
Monroe, Louisiana 30/90 Day Treatment Centers
New Orleans, La. Inpatient Alcohol Rehab Programs

Treatment for alcoholism in place of jail time in Louisiana is a very common outcome for those seeking help to end their addictions. If you have an open DWI case in Louisiana, call us and we can help you locate a deferment program in your county that works with DUI and DWI offenders. We can help you find the best rehab center for alcohol misuse today. Addiction No More ® is an Addiction Treatment Center locator service. For immediate service, please call one of our counselors 24/7.

1-800-513-5423

Sources

Sobriety Court Baton Rouge
Louisiana State Legislature
LDAL

Erik Epp – Content Author