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If you’re caught driving under the influence (DUI), you can expect to face serious consequences under Louisiana law. Navigating a DUI charge can be confusing between the administrative side of the process and the stages of the official criminal case. It’s highly recommended that you work with a skilled Harahan DUI lawyer to help you understand your rights and legal options throughout your case. That way, you can avoid common mistakes and secure a fair outcome for your future.
For the past 40 years, Marino Law Firm, LLC has been navigating criminal cases throughout the River Parishes, including DUIs. As an experienced Harahan criminal defense lawyer team, we are familiar with court procedures and the common tactics used by prosecutors to secure convictions. We’re confident we can stand up for you and provide the aggressive representation you need in and out of the courtroom.
DUI penalties in Louisiana are harsh, even for a first-time offense. It is essential to understand the first offense penalties for DUI in Louisiana, as 2026 updates now require mandatory jail time for any conviction.
The mandatory sentence can range from 10 to 120 days, depending on the details of the case. Recently, the Louisiana State Police has also been implementing more sobriety checkpoints and increasing patrols in an effort to enforce these updated laws.
You can also expect to have your license suspended. Louisiana imposes an administrative license suspension immediately upon your arrest. You must schedule a hearing to have this appealed. This suspension is independent of any criminal suspension ordered by the court. If you’re caught driving without a valid license, you can face an additional one-year suspension.
In 2024, over 255,000 out of 2.8 million Louisiana licenses were suspended or revoked halfway through the year. Driving under the influence was a leading cause behind these suspensions and revocations.
Drunk drivers can cause serious injuries to themselves and others, as well as property damage. A study done in Louisiana revealed that impaired drivers are more likely to cause fatal motor vehicle accidents than sober drivers.
Marino Law Firm, LLC has been representing Louisianans through DUI cases since 1986. Our firm is led by a father and son who bring decades of combined criminal defense experience to the table. We’re licensed with the Louisiana State Bar Association and the New Orleans Bar Association, and we’re confident we can help you form a solid defense against your charges.
Mark A. Marino started his practice right out of law school, focusing on criminal defense and litigation. Since then, he has built a solid reputation among his peers and clients.
His son, Orrin Marino, is experienced in the methods of the Louisiana criminal justice system. He has experience from his time at the Jefferson Parish Public Defender’s Office and has continued to represent clients throughout southeastern Louisiana ever since.
You can count on us for sound legal counsel and aggressive courtroom representation. We have experience navigating misdemeanor DUIs through the First Parish Court for the Parish of Jefferson, for misdemeanors and felony DUIs through the 24th Judicial District Court.
Yes, you can have a DUI in Harahan dismissed, especially if it’s a first-time offense. First-time offenders may be able to have the conviction dismissed once they have completed probation. It can be more challenging to have charges dismissed for a repeat offense.
A judge terminates dismissed charades. It’s also possible for the prosecutor to drop charges before or during the trial. They may do this if they have insufficient evidence or have experienced other legal or procedural problems.
Louisiana’s DUI penalties for repeat offenders are typically harsher and more difficult to defend against. You can expect to face time in jail, hefty fines, and a longer license suspension. It’s also possible to have your vehicle seized altogether.
Before you can have your license reinstated, you likely have to complete a mandatory substance abuse treatment program. A repeated DUI offense also requires installation of an ignition interlock device for your vehicle.
Many factors can escalate a DUI to a felony charge in Harahan. A DUI becomes a felony if it is the driver’s third or subsequent offense within 10 years. You can also be charged with felony DUI for having an extremely high blood alcohol concentration (BAC), causing serious injury or death, or driving with a minor in the vehicle.
It’s possible to have a felony DUI charge reduced to a misdemeanor in Louisiana, but it can be challenging.
What defenses you can use in a DUI case in Harahan ultimately hinge on the details of your case. It’s wise to hire a DUI lawyer to open their own investigation and form a solid defensive strategy. Successful DUI defenses often rely on invalidating the prosecution’s case.
Common defenses used in DUI cases include errors with blood and breath tests, improper field sobriety test administration, invalid traffic stops, rising BAC, and violations of constitutional rights.
If you’re facing DUI charges in Louisiana, it’s important that you understand state DUI laws and how to navigate the legal procedures that follow your arrest. It’s highly recommended that you hire a DUI lawyer to help you navigate the charges against you. That way, you can build a strong defense and not worry about whether or not you’re missing important steps along the way.
Marino Law Firm, LLC has been defending clients in complicated DUI cases for four decades. We have a thorough understanding of Louisiana DUI laws and know what steps to take to help you through your case.
If you’re ready to discuss your charges in more detail, our team is here to listen. Reach out to set up an appointment with a member of our team to start planning your defense strategy. You can find us in Destrehan on Campus Drive East.
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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