The BAC limit in Louisiana is same as in the most of other states – 0.08 for general drivers, 0.02 for under-21 drivers, and 0.04 for commercial drivers. Certain Louisiana drunk driving penalties will be applicable if you are caught while driving under the influence of alcohol with a BAC level of more than the allowed limit. It is also important for you to keep in mind that Louisiana also makes it mandatory for all drivers to take chemical test when the traffic officers ask them for it. The first time refusal to take the test will result in 180 days of license suspension. The second time refusal will attract 545 days of license suspension. Please note that these penalties are mandatory even if the drunk driving charges against you get dismissed in the court. If you get convicted, you will face additional penalties as per the following provisions.
First Dui Conviction In Louisiana
The following Louisiana drunk driving penalties are applicable for the first time dui conviction.
- If the convict is under 21 years of age, the driving license will be suspended for six months. Those who are above 21 will face the license suspension for a maximum period of three months.
- The court will also order you to pay $1000 as monetary fine.
- You are also very much likely to spend some time in jail; the maximum imprisonment period for the first time dui offenders is 180 days.
Second Dui Conviction In Louisiana
- Your driving license will be suspended for twelve months
- You will have to pay $1000 as monetary fine
- You will be sent to jail for a minimum mandatory period of forty-eight hours. The maximum imprisonment period can be as long as six months.
Third Dui Conviction In Louisiana
The third time dui offence is treated as a felony offence and attracts the following Louisiana drunk driving penalties.
- Up to one year in an outpatient substance abuse program and 6 weeks in an inpatient substance abuse program.
- Mandatory participation in community service for a period of one month
- Your driving license will be suspended for a period of twenty-four months.
- Even your vehicle is also very much likely to be seized.
- The monetary fine for a third time dui conviction is $2000
- Mandatory 45 days in jail. Besides that, the court may also award with an additional up to five years in jail imprisonment. In some cases, you may have to face the remainder of the sentence as home incarceration.
Fourth Dui Conviction In Louisiana
The fourth time dui conviction is again a felony offence and results in the following Louisiana drunk driving penalties.
- Forty days of community service
- Six weeks in an inpatient Substance Abuse Treatment
- Your vehicle is not just likely to be seized but it is also likely to be sold.
- Twenty-four months of driving license suspension.
- $5000 of monetary fine
- You will be sent to jail for a minimum mandatory period of seventy-five days. Additional jail term can be as long as thirty years; the actual period will depend upon the severity of the offence (such as whether accidents, injuries, or death is involved)
You are likely to be awarded with some enhanced Louisiana drunk driving penalties if certain aggravating factors are involved in your case, such as drunk driving while an under-12 child is in the vehicle, drunk driving with a BAC level of more than 0.15.