First Offense DWI Defense Attorney In Shreveport & Bossier City

A first offense DWI in Louisiana may seem like a minor legal matter — especially if it is your first encounter with the criminal justice system. It is not. Even a first DWI conviction carries mandatory penalties including jail time, significant fines, license suspension, and a permanent criminal record. More importantly, a first DWI conviction on your record dramatically increases the penalties you will face if you are ever charged again. Repeat DWI charges and other circumstances can result in much more serious consequences, including prosecution for a felony offense. The time to fight is now, before a conviction locks you into a record that follows you for life.

I have defended first offense DWI cases throughout Shreveport, Bossier City, and Northwest Louisiana for more than 30 years. I know how these cases are built by prosecutors, I know the weaknesses in the evidence, and I know how to fight aggressively to protect your record, your license, and your future.

First Offense DWI Penalties In Louisiana

Under Louisiana law, a first offense DWI conviction carries the following mandatory penalties:

• Fines of $300 to $1,000 plus court costs
• Ten days to six months in jail, or 32 hours of community service in lieu of jail time in some cases
• License suspension for 90 days to one year
• Mandatory substance abuse evaluation and possible treatment
• Ignition interlock device requirement if your BAC was 0.15% or higher
• SR22 insurance requirement upon reinstatement of your license
• Probation up to two years

These are the minimum consequences. Aggravating factors — such as a BAC over 0.15%, having a minor in the vehicle, or causing an accident — can significantly increase the penalties even on a first offense. While a typical first offense DWI is not a felony offense, repeat DWI charges and certain circumstances involving serious injury or death can expose a defendant to felony charges and significantly greater penalties.

What Happens After A First DWI Arrest In Louisiana?

The moments and days after a DWI arrest are critical. Here is what you need to know:

Upon arrest, law enforcement will likely confiscate your driver’s license and issue you a temporary permit valid for 30 days. You have the right to request an administrative hearing to contest your license suspension — but you must do so within 30 days of your arrest or you waive that right automatically. This hearing is entirely separate from your criminal case and requires immediate attention.

On the criminal side, you will be arraigned and enter a plea. This is not the time to plead guilty without first consulting an attorney. I will review every detail of your arrest — from the reason for the initial stop to the administration of field sobriety tests and breathalyzer equipment — to identify every available defense.

How I Defend First Offense DWI Cases

Field sobriety tests are subjective and often administered improperly. Breathalyzer machines must be properly calibrated and maintained — and frequently are not. Blood and urine tests have their own chain of custody and handling requirements. Any procedural error or constitutional violation in the course of your arrest can result in evidence being suppressed or charges being reduced or dismissed.

Common defenses in first offense DWI cases include:

• Illegal traffic stop — law enforcement must have reasonable suspicion to pull you over
• Improper field sobriety test administration — standardized tests must be administered according to strict protocols
• Breathalyzer error — equipment malfunction, improper calibration, or operator error
• Medical conditions — certain conditions can produce false positives on breath tests
• Rising BAC defense — your BAC may have been under the legal limit while driving but rose by the time you were tested

Serving Shreveport, Bossier City, And Northwest Louisiana

I defend clients facing first offense DWI charges and other misdemeanor and felony offenses throughout Caddo Parish, Bossier Parish, Lincoln Parish, Webster Parish, Jackson Parish, Vernon Parish, and Natchitoches Parish. Act quickly — the 30-day window to protect your license is not flexible.

Contact A.J. Hodges, IV About Your First DW

Call 318-990-1089 to reach my Shreveport office. You can also contact me online. Do not plead guilty before speaking with me.