New Orleans Multiple DUI Lawyer

If you have been charged with drunk driving multiple times and want to know what to expect, talk to a New Orleans multiple DUI lawyer. Multiple DUI offenses are taken very seriously in Louisiana, and the penalties become harsher with each conviction. Your freedom, money, and even your future could be on the line with another DUI charge.

Judges in New Orleans are accustomed to seeing repeat offense cases and different situations that may have occurred during each arrest. Don’t suffer through a second, third, or multiple DUI charges without knowing how Louisiana’s multiple DUI laws work. Certain factors can affect your case. A local attorney from Crescent City Law can explain how this applies to you.

About Crescent City Law

John Radziewicz, the principal attorney at Crescent City Law in New Orleans, is committed to defending clients facing serious charges. If you’re someone who feels like you’re being bullied by the system, we’re here to stand up for you. You can expect personal service from someone you can trust. From Northshore to Plaquemines Parish, we’re here to provide reliable legal support.

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How Multiple DUI Offenses Are Different From First Offenses

Most people consider a first DUI charge to be one big mistake. However, things change when someone is arrested for driving under the influence more than once. The court sees drunk driving as habitual and, therefore, often handles your case differently.

You can face higher penalties than you would if it were your first offense. Punishments can include longer license suspension, larger fines, more days in an approved program, and mandatory jail time. Courts can sentence you to extra things like drug testing and ignition interlock devices.

The way prior convictions are counted is different for each DUI charge. When judges and prosecutors look at previous convictions, they take into consideration when they happened and how they were pleaded down. This can determine if your current charge is considered a second, third, fourth, or multiple offense.

According to data from the LSU Center for Analytics & Research in Transportation Safety, there were 261 fatalities from drunk driving in Louisiana in 2022, and alcohol was a factor in 31% of car crashes. Louisiana’s alcohol-related collision rate dropped to 30.1% in 2023.

Common Factors That Affect DUI Cases

Every DUI case is different. With multiple DUI charges, the courts look at much more than what happened during your arrest. Here are some things that can affect your case:

• The timeline of and length of time between your previous DUI convictions
• Accidents, injuries, and property damage
• Your BAC
• Any violations of previous court orders or probation

Just like first-time DUI charges, these factors can either help or hurt your case. Because you have previous DUI convictions, a New Orleans multiple DUI attorney can help you identify what factors may apply to your case.

Potential Consequences of Multiple DUI Charges

As you already know, getting convicted of multiple DUI charges comes with severe penalties. Some of these penalties include losing your license, spending money on fines, and possibly jail time. Beyond legal penalties, convictions can affect your everyday life.

Having another DUI on your record can make it difficult to find a job. It may even cause you to lose your current job if it involves driving. You are likely to see a significant increase in insurance rates. You could even lose your insurance coverage entirely. Family relationships and finding a place to live can also get complicated.

The court can order you to do things to help prevent you from committing another DUI. Some of these things include treatment programs and prolonged check-ups.

Why Hire a Multiple DUI Lawyer

When people face multiple DUI charges, they wonder if they should hire a multiple DUI lawyer. Multiple DUI cases are not usually as straightforward as first-time DUI charges. There is a lot more that can be analyzed when dealing with a multiple DUI case. Some questions that may be asked include:

• Was the traffic stop lawful?
• Were field sobriety tests administered properly?
• Was the device that analyzed your blood alcohol content working properly?

An attorney can assist you with analyzing these questions and more. Courts can be tricky and procedurally based. A lawyer can help guide you and see that your rights are not violated. If your previous convictions are being used to upcharge your current offense, it may be worth examining those cases as well.

Contact Crescent City Law

If you have been charged with multiple DUIs, Crescent City Law can help you in the legal process. Whether you live in Metairie or Bonnabel Place, contact us today for more information.

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