Louisiana DUI Laws

Louisiana DUI convictions are considered criminal. You could face up to 180 days in jail for a first offense, and you could lose your license for 3 months. In addition to walking away with a criminal record when it’s all over, you will also have to shell out $1,000 or more to cover fines and all court costs. If you are a minor (under the age of 21), you will lose your driving privileges for 180 days.

Under Louisiana’s implied consent laws, by driving on any Louisiana road, you automatically consent to a blood, breath, or urine test if an officer suspects that you are driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Under the state’s implied consent law, if an officer asks you to submit to a blood, breath, or urine test and you refuse, your license will be suspended immediately for 6 months. For second refusals, your license will be suspended for 18 months.

What is the blood alcohol content level (BAC) limit in the state of Louisiana?

In the state of Louisiana, it is a crime to operate a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content level (BAC) of 0.08% or higher. For minors the minimum is 0.02% and for commercial vehicle drivers, the minimum is 0.04%. Sentence enhancements exist for all cases involving a BAC of 0.15% or higher.

In the state of Louisiana what is the administrative license suspension period for a first offense?

In the state of Louisiana, if you get arrested for DUI, the administrative license suspension time for a first offense is 90 days. Under administrative license suspension, the drivers’ license will be taken before conviction when he either fails or refuses to be tested for alcohol or drugs. During the 90-day revocation period, the driver may obtain a limited license after 30 days.

In the state of Louisiana, what are the penalties for a first DUI offense? Second offense?

First DUI offenses in the state of Louisiana will result in a criminal record, fines totaling $1,000 or more (fines and court costs), up to 180 days in jail, and license suspension for 90 days. For second DUI offenses, you will spend a mandatory 2 days in jail up to 180 days and you will be fined up to $1,000. You will also have to surrender your license for up to 12 months and you will have to pay for all court costs involved in prosecuting your case.

In the state of Louisiana, a third drunk driving conviction is a felony. In addition to having a felony criminal record, you will spend a mandatory 45 days in jail up to 5 years. Fines will total up to $2,000 plus all court costs. In addition, you will have to surrender your license for up to 24 months and your car. The state has the right to sell your car if it chooses to. For all felony DUI convictions in the state of Louisiana, you will be ordered to enroll in a substance abuse program, which may consist of 1-½ months of inpatient treatment and 1 year of outpatient treatment. If you are lucky enough to be placed on probation, you will also have to complete at least 1 month of community service to be determined by the courts.