How Much Does A DUI Cost in Louisiana?

Driving under the influence (DUI) of drugs or alcohol is a serious criminal offense and can cause serious harm on the road. The Shreveport Police Department takes DUIs seriously, routinely patrolling areas such as Texas Street, Market Street, and Youree Drive. If you or someone you love has been arrested or charged with a DUI, you may be asking, “How much does a DUI cost in Louisiana?”

A DUI has numerous costs, including immediate criminal fines and court fees, as well as other collateral expenses. These costs can affect individuals and their families in the short term and the long term. The most effective way to mitigate the consequences of these costs is to secure dedicated legal representation.

There were tens of thousands of crashes in the state in 2024, and unfortunately, some of them were caused by impaired and drunk drivers. Accidents involving drivers under the influence made up a higher percentage of fatal accidents than non-fatal accidents.

Alcohol crashes made up 3.14% of all property damage-only accidents and 6.11% of suspected injury crashes. Comparatively, alcohol crashes made up 27.21% of all fatal crashes in the state.

In Shreveport, within Caddo Parish in the same year, there were sadly 30 fatalities in motor vehicle accidents, and 10 of those fatalities were alcohol-related.

What Are the Fines for a DUI?

The primary cost of a DUI is the criminal fines directly associated with the offense. For a first-offense DUI without any aggravating factors, the fine could range from $300 to $1,000. For repeated offenses, fines could include:

• $750 to $1,000 for a second offense within ten years
• $2,000 for a third offense within ten years
• $5,000 for a fourth or subsequent offense within ten years

Other factors could increase these fines. For example, having a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.2000% or higher will increase fines. If it is your first DUI offense but your BAC is higher than 0.2000%, then the fine for the offense could increase to between $750 and $1,000.

Fines for a DUI may also differ depending on whether anyone was injured or killed in a crash caused by the driver, or if the driver under the influence was not of age to be drinking.

Other Costs of a DUI

There are numerous other costs, direct and indirect, of a DUI. Each of these fees and costs varies depending on the parish and severity of your offense. After an arrest and during your trial for a DUI, you have to consider costs such as:

• Court fees and costs, like administrative costs, filing fees, and hearing fees
• Criminal defense fees, including representation in administrative and criminal hearings
• Paying bail after arrest to leave jail until your trial
• Impound fees to have your vehicle released
• Reinstatement fees for your driver’s license

If you are convicted of a DUI, you face several penalties that can have direct and indirect costs. These can include:

• Court costs, like sentencing fees
• Probation fees, if probation is part of your sentence
• Increased insurance costs, including the required insurance you must secure after conviction
• Jail time and required community service hours, which can limit the income you can earn at work
• Court-order program attendance fees, such as substance abuse programs and driver improvement programs
• Installation of an ignition interlock device, which may be required to drive on a restricted license after a DUI conviction

There are other indirect financial losses to consider, including the cost of relying on public or rideshare transportation until you can drive, and the extra time those transportation options may take you. It is important not to underestimate the effect these offenses can have on your finances and life.

FAQs

Q: What Are the Charges for a DUI in Louisiana?

A: The charges for a DUI in Louisiana depend on whether you have prior convictions, what your blood alcohol concentration was during the offense, and other factors specific to your case. For a first DUI offense, you could be facing hundreds of dollars in fines and up to six months in jail.

Q: How Long Does a DUI Stay on Your Record in Louisiana?

A: A DUI remains on your criminal record indefinitely, unless you take steps to have it expunged. Expungement may not always be possible. While a DUI may always remain on your criminal record, it only counts as a prior DUI conviction within the lookback period, which is ten years. A DUI conviction can also impact your driving record and insurance information, and the duration of this effect will vary.

Q: How Much Is a DUI Ticket in Louisiana?

A: A DUI in Louisiana is much more than a ticket. DUI penalties will vary based on the parish you are charged in and the aggravating factors of your case. If it is your first DUI offense, you may see a fine between $300 and $1,000. If you had a high blood alcohol concentration, the minimum fine could be higher.

Q: What Happens After You Get a DUI in Louisiana?

A: After you get a DUI in Louisiana, you could face fines, jail time, the suspension of your driver’s license, required community service hours, and other penalties. After you are arrested for a DUI, it is crucial to secure a criminal defense lawyer. Just because you are arrested does not mean you will be convicted. You are more likely to limit or avoid the penalties of a DUI by working with an attorney to build a strong defense.

Protecting Your Financial Future Against DUI Charges

The emotional stress and turmoil of facing DUI charges is serious, and it can be even more stressful to consider the financial costs of the charges. While it may seem like working with an attorney will add to these costs, an experienced criminal defense attorney provides you the greatest chance of limiting or avoiding conviction, therefore limiting the immediate and long-term costs of the offense.

At The Berg Law Firm, we have over 15 years of legal experience in our community. Let us help you fight for the optimal outcome in your case. Contact our firm today.