First & Second Offense DWI Defense Attorney In Shreveport & Bossier City

Whether this is your first DWI arrest or your second, the decisions you make in the days immediately following your arrest will have a profound impact on the outcome of your case. Many people assume a first DWI is minor enough to handle on their own or simply plead guilty to get it over with. That is a mistake that can haunt you for years. And if you are facing a second offense, the stakes are even higher — mandatory jail time, longer license suspension, and a record that puts you one step away from a felony charge.

I have defended first and second offense DWI cases throughout Shreveport, Bossier City, and law enforcement officers 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. Do not speak to law enforcement before contacting me.

First Offense DWI Penalties In Louisiana

A first DWI conviction in Louisiana 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 6 months, maybe longer.
• Mandatory substance abuse evaluation and possible treatment
• SR22 insurance requirement upon hardship and/or reinstatement of your license
• Probation up to two years

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.

Second Offense DWI Penalties In Louisiana

A second DWI conviction carries substantially harsher mandatory penalties:

• Fines of $750 to $1,000 plus court costs
• Thirty days to six months in jail — with at least 48 hours served consecutively without possibility of parole, probation, or suspension
• License suspension for one year minimum
• Mandatory ignition interlock device for one to four years upon reinstatement
• Mandatory substance abuse evaluation and treatment
• Community service requirements
• SR22 insurance requirement
• Probation up to two years following release

The 48-hour mandatory minimum jail sentence on a second offense often cannot be suspended or negotiated away — which is exactly why fighting the charge before a conviction is so critical.

The Look-Back Period For DWI Offenses In Louisiana

Louisiana uses a ten-year look-back period when determining whether a DWI is a first, second, or subsequent offense. Under limited circumstances, DWI conviction occurred more than ten years ago, your current charge may be treated as a first offense rather than a second — a distinction that can significantly affect both the penalties you face and the options available to you. I will review the dates and details of any prior convictions as part of my initial case evaluation to make sure your charge is properly classified.

What Happens Immediately After A DWI Arrest In Louisiana?

The moments after a DWI arrest are critical and time-sensitive. Upon arrest, law enforcement will confiscate your driver’s license and issue 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 automatically waive that right. This hearing is entirely separate from your criminal case and requires immediate attention.

On the criminal side, you will be arraigned and asked to enter a plea. Do not plead guilty without first consulting me. I will review every aspect of your arrest — from the reason for the initial traffic stop to the administration of field sobriety tests and the calibration of any breathalyzer equipment — to identify every available defense.

How I Defend First And Second DWI Cases

Field sobriety tests are subjective and frequently administered improperly. Breathalyzer machines must be properly calibrated and maintained — and frequently are not. Blood and urine tests have strict 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 I use in first and second DWI cases include:

• Illegal traffic stop — law enforcement must have reasonable suspicion to pull you over
• Improper field sobriety test administration — standardized tests must follow 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
• Look-back period review — ensuring prior convictions are properly evaluated before any enhancement is applied

Your Future Deserves a Powerful Defense

Speak With Us Today 318-990-1089

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Serving Shreveport, Bossier City, And Northwest Louisiana

I defend clients facing first and second offense DWI charges throughout Caddo Parish, Bossier Parish, Lincoln Parish, Webster Parish, Jackson Parish, Vernon Parish, and Natchitoches Parish. The 30-day window to protect your license is not flexible — act quickly.

Contact A.J. Hodges, IV About Your First Or Second DWI

Call 318-990-1089 to reach my Shreveport office. You can also contact me online. Do not plead guilty before speaking with me — your record and your license depend on it.