Jefferson Parish DWI Lawyer

If you got arrested for DWI in Jefferson Parish, we can help you. The Barkemeyer Law Firm is a DWI defense law firm. Our primary focus is defending clients charged with DWI in all areas of Louisiana. Our firm is equipped with four attorneys that defend DUI charges every day. We know DWI. And we know how to help our clients.  Look, we’re not here to judge you for getting a DWI. We’re not here to tell you what you should’ve done or how you should live your life. We don’t care if you’ve been arrested before or have a prior criminal history. We’re here to get you the best result possible in your case.

Common DWI Concerns

I put together a little list of common questions and issues that you will likely have but will not get answered UNLESS you hire a lawyer for your DWI. You will just have to be comfortable not knowing these answers. Everyone is different. Some people don’t care about their well-being as much as others. Like I said before, all these DWI questions would get answered by your DWI lawyer because he can dive into the case in various ways.

1. Can I drive?
2. How long is my license suspended?
3. How can keep driving?
4. I have to drive for work, what do we do?
5. How can resolve this so I don’t lose my job?
6. Will I go to jail for blowing over .15?
7. What about home incarceration instead of jailtime?
8. What do I tell my insurance company?
9. What happens at the court date?
10. How long will this be on my record?

I can assure you that the answers to each one of these questions is different from case to case. You can google the questions, but as I stated earlier, you’ll get information that will not apply to you.

After you have been arrested for DWI in Jefferson Parish, you will have court in one of the three courthouses; First Parish Court in Metairie, Second Parish Court in Gretna, and District Court in Gretna.  It all depends where you were arrested, the arresting agency, and if you are charged with a misdemeanor DWI or felony DWI.  If you are unsure about which courthouse your case is located, we can figure that out for you.

Waive Your Appearance 

Your first court date after your DWI arrest will be an Arraignment. After you hire our DWI lawyers, we can attend that court appearance for you. We may even be able to make it so that you never have to go to court. Either way, if you live outside of the area, this can be extremely helpful by saving you time and money traveling.

First-Offense DWI in Jefferson Parish

A first-offense DUI in Louisiana is considered a misdemeanor with the following penalties upon conviction:

Fine: $300 to $1,000

Court Costs: Depending on the court, it could be approximately $250

Jail time: 10 days to 6 months

Probation: Up to two years of probation (depending on the judge)

Community Service: Serve 48 hours in jail or complete least 32 hours of community service, half of which must be litter detail

Substance Abuse Evaluation/Treatment: Must be evaluated for substance abuse by a certified counselor and follow any recommended treatment

Classes: Participation in a court-approved driver improvement program

MADD Victim Impact Panel: Many judges may order the defendant to attend one

License Suspension: The DMV could suspend a Louisiana driver’s license for first offense DWI conviction for one year.

Ignition Interlock Device: May be required by the DMV to obtain a hardship license

SR-22 Insurance: May be required to get the hardship license after a DWI first offense conviction

Special penalty requirements for 1st-time DWI:

If the BAC is over .15, then an additional 48 hours of the jail sentence cannot be suspended. The judge may allow home incarceration, although many do not.

If the BAC is over .20, then the defendant must face 48 hours of mandatory jail, a fine of $750 to $1,000, and an ignition interlock device must be installed for a period of 12 months.

If a child twelve years old or younger was present in the car during the DUI arrest, the jail sentences that cannot be suspended.

DWI Law Firm

We are not spending our days working injury cases or writing wills. We are in various courtrooms handling DWIs. We are DWI lawyers. You wouldn’t go to a foot doctor for a heart problem. You need a DWI lawyer for your DWI.  If you need a lawyer for your DUI in Jefferson Parish, give us a call at 504-321-4300 or contact us here.