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Louisiana DUI Laws

DUI Defense in Louisiana

Statutes, Penalties, and Defense Strategies

What you are facing, the deadlines that bind you, and the questions an attorney needs to answer — under Louisiana (LA) DUI law.

BAC Limit

0.08

Enhanced BAC

0.15

Higher penalties above this

Lookback Period

10 years

Prior offenses count within

⚠

30 days-Day DMV Hearing Deadline

Louisiana gives you 30 days days from the arrest to ask for a DMV hearing. This is the

administrative hearing

Plain language

A DMV review of the license suspension — separate from the criminal court case, with its own paperwork and deadline.

that decides the license suspension. Miss the deadline and the suspension starts on its own, even if the criminal case ends in dismissal later.

First Offense Penalties in Louisiana

Jail TimeUp to 6 months (minimum 48 hours if BAC 0.20+)
Fines$300 – $1,000
License Suspension90 days
Ignition Interlock

Plain language

A breath-tester wired into the car ignition. The car will not start without a clean sample.

Required for 12 months if BAC 0.15+

Implied Consent and Test Refusal

Louisiana has an

implied consent law

Plain language

By driving on the state's roads, you have already agreed to a chemical test if an officer has probable cause to think you are impaired.

like every state. The test can be breath, blood, or urine. Refusing carries its own penalty, listed below.

Refusal Penalty

180-day license suspension (for first refusal, doubled if under 21)

Louisiana-Specific Detail

Louisiana allows first-offense DUI charges to be eligible for diversion or expungement in some jurisdictions. The state's legal drinking culture makes DUI enforcement practices vary significantly between parishes.

Is your Louisiana DUI defense on track?

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DUI Defense Playbook — $127

26 questions that change how your next attorney meeting goes, a case stage roadmap, red flag checklist, and a case progress scorecard. Instant PDF download — calibrated for Louisiana DUI defendants.

Get the DUI Playbook — $127Read the Free DUI Guide

Other Louisiana defense topics

Facing a different charge in Louisiana? Penalty ranges, enhancements, and defense questions for related crimes:

Drug Possession in LouisianaAssault in LouisianaDomestic Violence in Louisiana

Important: This page provides general legal information about Louisiana DUI laws as of the date of publication. Laws change frequently. This is not legal advice. For guidance specific to your case, speaking with a Louisiana-licensed attorney is one option, or take the free Masked Researcher’s First Read to see where your case stands.