Driving under the influence (DUI) makes the roads more dangerous, disproportionately leads to fatal accidents, and is illegal. If you are arrested and charged with a DUI, you can face imprisonment for days to years and significant fines, as well as restrictions on your driving ability. A Boutte DUI lawyer can help you protect your rights and give you the greatest chance to avoid a conviction.
When you hire a DUI lawyer in Boutte, you want experienced, aggressive, and compassionate lawyers. At Marino Law Firm, LLC, we provide legal representation with over 50 years of combined experience and help you create a strong DUI defense.
Our team understands the laws that affect DUI cases and how to help you effectively resolve your case. We have experience in several criminal courts and can help you navigate the 29th Judicial Court serving St. Charles Parish.
In 2023, there were 11,404 arrests for DUI in Louisiana, which was the third most-frequent type of arrest for crimes against society. There were 977 crimes against society in total in St. Charles Parish the same year, which included any DUI offenses.
Driving impaired increases the chances of an accident. In 2025, there were 86 alcohol-related crashes in St. Charles Parish, including three fatal crashes. Alcohol-related fatal crashes made up 60% of all fatal crashes, despite making up 5.92% of property damage-only crashes. DUI enforcement and prosecutors harshly go after drunk and impaired drivers to minimize the risks on the road.
In Louisiana, you can be charged with a DUI offense for any of the following reasons when operating a motor vehicle or other means of conveyance:
Your BAC does not have to be 0.08% to be arrested and charged with a DUI under these laws, as the prosecution only has to prove that you were impaired by alcohol or drug crime. A conviction of a DUI can result in fines, imprisonment, the loss of your driving privileges, and other penalties.
Several elements can aggravate the charges you face for a DUI, including:
If you are facing charges for any level of DUI offense, you need a skilled legal defense. Just because you were arrested for a DUI doesn’t automatically mean you will be convicted. However, to limit the consequences of the charges you face, you need a strong defense and the right DUI attorney.
Marino Law Firm, LLC was established in 1986 by Mark A. Marino. He and his son, Orrin A. Marino, work throughout the River Parishes to support individuals and families going through difficult cases, including in family law and criminal law.
You can rely on our firm for decades of combined legal experience, a straightforward approach to legal representation, and aggressive support in court. Our goal is to bring you results while helping you understand your case throughout the legal process and make informed choices towards your criminal defense law.
The law for a DUI first offense in Louisiana means that you can be charged with the offense if you are operating a vehicle impaired and/or your blood alcohol concentration is 0.08% or higher. Conviction of this offense can lead to between ten days and six months in jail and a fine of between $300 and $1,000. Prior to 2026, an imprisonment sentence could be waived by a judge if certain conditions were met.
DUI cases can be dismissed, although every case is unique. Your DUI case might be dismissed if key evidence is found inadmissible, such as because of a lack of probable cause during a traffic stop, or an improper chain of evidence.
This usually requires the efforts of a defense attorney to motion for the suppression of evidence. There may be other strategies for getting a DUI dismissed depending on your circumstances.
The ideal plea for a DUI is entirely dependent on your situation. It’s important to work with a skilled DUI defense attorney to assess your case.
An attorney can help you negotiate a plea deal when relevant, or they can help you craft a strong defense before or during a criminal trial. Your attorney assesses your unique case, the evidence the prosecution has, and the facts of your traffic stop and arrest to determine the ideal defense strategy.
How long it takes for a DUI to get off your criminal record in Louisiana is at least five to ten years after completing a sentence for the offense. This is Louisiana’s expungement process, which you have to take steps to secure. It does not happen automatically.
Your driving record is different. A DUI is considered a prior offense for ten years after conviction. DUI convictions older than 10 years are automatically not considered prior offenses for sentencing purposes.
A skilled Boutte DUI attorney can help you find the right defense for your DUI case. They may challenge the traffic stop, the on-site tests used by the arresting officer, the calibration of the blood chemical testing after the arrest, and more. Your attorney may also use strategies like a rising BAC defense.
At Marino Law Firm, LLC, we understand these defense strategies and many more, and want to protect your rights and build the defense that safeguards your interests. If you’ve been arrested for a DUI in Boutte, you need to reach out to our firm for a thorough defense.
Marino Law Firm, LLC, represents clients throughout southeast Louisiana’s river parishes. During regular business hours, call our Destrehan, Louisiana, office-toll free at 985-764-1515 with any urgent matters, including updates to an existing case. Our staff is available to take messages, schedule appointments and answer question about nonlegal matters. Contact us to arrange a consultation with an experienced Destrehan family law attorney and criminal defense lawyer.
call for consultation 985-764-1515
104 Campus Drive East
Suite 101
Destrehan, LA 70047
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