Louisiana calls the offense Driving While Intoxicated, codified at La. R.S. 14:98, though it's commonly referred to as DUI or OWI. Penalties escalate significantly with each prior offense within the statutory lookback period, and factors like blood alcohol concentration and whether a minor was in the vehicle can add mandatory jail time regardless of whether it's a first offense.
Attorney Hatfield represents clients facing DWI charges in the 19th, 18th, and 21st Judicial District Courts and parish courts throughout the greater Baton Rouge area.
Under La. R.S. 14:98, a first or second DWI is a misdemeanor, while a third offense becomes a felony carrying one to five years, and a fourth or subsequent offense carries a sentencing range of ten to thirty years. Beyond the criminal penalties, a DWI conviction triggers license suspension through the Office of Motor Vehicles, and higher blood alcohol levels — 0.15% and above — add mandatory minimum jail time on top of the standard range.
Because the administrative license suspension and the criminal case move separately, acting quickly after an arrest matters. There are often strict, short deadlines to request a hearing on the license suspension that have nothing to do with the criminal court's timeline.
"I highly recommend this attorney. From the very beginning, Teresa was professional, knowledgeable, and genuinely cared about my case. She took the time to explain every step of the process, answered all of my questions promptly, and made sure I felt informed and supported throughout."
Julie Hadden | Recent Client
A first offense doesn't have to define the rest of your record. Attorney Hatfield reviews the traffic stop, field sobriety testing, and breath or blood evidence to identify what can be challenged, and evaluates whether a deferred sentence or reduced charge is available.
Repeat DWI charges carry escalating mandatory penalties, including felony exposure at the third offense. These cases require an attorney who understands exactly where the statute's thresholds fall and what evidence the state must prove at each level.
Protecting your ability to drive is often just as urgent as the criminal defense itself. Attorney Hatfield helps clients understand and act on the administrative deadlines tied to their OMV suspension so nothing is lost by default.
A DWI charge is rarely simple, and the consequences reach into your license, your insurance, and your record. Attorney Hatfield's litigation background and public defender experience means every angle of the stop, the testing, and the charge gets examined.
Contact The Hatfield Law Office, LLC to request a consultation and discuss the next steps in your case.
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