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Danny Russell named TOP 3 BEST DWI LAWYERS in Baton Rouge

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Danny Russell & Russell Law Firm are proud to share that Russell Law Firm has been selected as one of the Top 3 “Best DWI Lawyers in Baton Rouge,” Louisiana, by Three Best Rated®, an independent, third-party business review site. ThreeBestRated.com reviews local businesses across the United States, and picks three businesses they deem the best in a specific business category.  Russell Law Firm was named a top 3 local business in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in the specific category of “DWI Lawyers.” Three Best Rated® chose its top 3 after inspecting 50 different areas, which included everything from reviews, ratings, reputation, history, complaints, satisfaction, trust, cost to the general excellence, and beyond.

“Our primary focus at the Russell Law Firm has always been to protect our clients’ legal interests by providing fierce but personal legal representation, tailored to the individual needs and circumstances of each client,” says Russell Law Firm owner, Danny Russell.

Russell Law Firm offers a variety of legal services for individuals throughout the State of Louisiana, in the areas of:

  1. DWI/DUI Defense;
  2. Personal Injury Litigation;
  3. Car Accidents;
  4. 18-Wheeler and Big Trucking Accidents;
  5. Wrongful Death & Survival Actions;
  6. Wills/Testament Drafting & Execution;
  7. Expungments;
  8. Family Law (divorce, child/spousal support, child custody, etc.);
  9. Business Formation; and
  10. Oil & Gas Law.

Danny Russell, admitted to practice in:

  • All Louisiana District Courts
  • All Louisiana Appellate Courts
  • Louisiana Supreme Court
  • U.S. Middle District Court of Louisiana
  • U.S. Western District Court of Louisiana
  • U.S. Eastern District Court of Louisiana
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
By producing, making, publishing, and disseminating this post, neither Danny Russell, Russell Law Firm, nor any of its lawyers or staff are representing or implying in any manner whatsoever, that Russell Law Firm promises or can obtain any type of results for anyone; or that Russell Law Firm, Danny Russell, or any of its lawyer’s services are being compared with the legal services of other lawyers. This post is only meant to share what Three Best Rated® , an independent, third-party business review site, has published on its website, as Russell Law Firm is honored to acknowledged for its trustworthiness and client satisfaction, found by Three Best Rated.® 

Common Louisiana DUI Field Sobriety Test – Walk &Turn Test

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The walk-and-turn (“W&T”) test is commonly used by law enforcement, after someone suspected of violating the Louisiana DUI statute or “driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs,” is pulled over. While undergoing the W&T test, the suspect is directed to take nine heel-to-toe steps in a straight line, turn on one foot, and return by taking another nine heel-to-toe steps in the opposite direction. A standard W&T test is administered:

  1. On a designated straight line;
  2. On a dry, hard, level, and non-slippery surface, with sufficient length for completing 9 steps;
  3. By an “initial” stage where the officer gives the suspect verbal instructions to: (1) place his left foot on a line; (2) then place his right foot on the line in front of his left foot; (3) place his arms at his sides; (4) maintain that position until instructions are complete; and (5) confirm whether he/she understands the instructions.
  4. Ending with a “walking” stage, where the officer gives the suspect verbal instructions to: (1) take nine heel-to-toe steps, turn, and take nine heel-to-toe steps back; (2) keep his front foot on the line, and turn by taking small steps; (3) keep his arms to the side; (4) count the steps out loud; and (5) walk until competition of the test.

W&T tests usually offer experienced Louisiana DUI defense lawyers an opportunity to challenge the results of the tests, due to:

  • Procedural errors committed by the police officer while administering the test;
  • Age, weight, and/or physical ailments creating difficulty performing the W&T test;
  • Weather; and
  • Footwear of the suspect affecting his/her ability to walk straight or maintain balance.

A Louisiana DUI can have other serious consequences, so if you’ve been arrested for operating a vehicle while intoxicated, contact a skilled Baton Rouge DWI/DUI lawyer at the Russell Law Firm. The Russell Law Firm represents clients in DWI cases throughout the State of Louisiana, including the parishes of East Baton Rouge Parish, West Baton Rouge Parish, Plaquemines Parish, Livingston Parish, Ascension Parish, Jefferson Parish, Orleans Parish, St. Charles Parish, Terrebonne Parish, Assumption Parish, Lafayette Parish, Lafourche Parish, Lafayette Parish, St. Landry Parish, Evangeline Parish; and the cities of Baton Rouge, Livingston, Denham Springs, Walker, Gonzales, Donaldsonville, Port Allen, Brusly, Addis, Lafayette, Napoleonville, Kenner, Harvey, Marrero, Estelle, Gretna, Metairie, New Orleans, Terrytown, Westwego, Ville Platte, Eunice, Opelousas, Thibodaux, Houma, Belle Chasse, and Hahnville.

DWI Lawyers at the Russell Law Firm, LLC are skilled, experienced, and knowledgeable about the Louisiana DWI laws, related non-DWI statutes, and how to evaluate evidence that law enforcement and prosecutors might try to use against you. If you or someone you know is facing a potential DWI conviction, contact a DWI attorney at the Russell Law Firm at 225-307-0088. We offer free, no obligation initial consultations.

Information furnished herein is only general and not a substitute for personalized legal advice.

****The photograph above is not a depiction of any actual event or scene, but merely a dramatization.

By: Danny D. Russell, Esq.

 

Breathalyzer Refusals – Potential License Suspensions

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The State of Louisiana has strict DWI laws. By merely driving on a Louisiana highway, you consent to Louisiana laws for testing blood-alcohol content (“BAC”). Under Louisiana’s Implied Consent law, if you are lawfully arrested by an officer who has probable cause to believe that you have been driving or boating while intoxicated, and you refuse to comply with his or her request to use a breathalyzer test, then you can face an automatic license suspension imposed by the Department of Motor Vehicles. Potential suspensions for refusal are as follows:

  1. First Refusal – 1 year from the date of suspension.
  2. Second & Subsequent Refusal – 2 years from the date of suspension.

DWIs can have other serious consequences, so if you’ve been arrested for driving under the influence, contact a skilled DWI defense attorney at the Russell Law Firm.

The Russell Law Firm represents clients in DWI/DUI cases throughout the State of Louisiana, including the parishes of East Baton Rouge Parish, West Baton Rouge Parish, Plaquemines Parish, Livingston Parish, Ascension Parish, Jefferson Parish, Orleans Parish, St. Charles Parish, Terrebonne Parish, Assumption Parish, Lafayette Parish, Lafourche Parish, Lafayette Parish, St. Landry Parish, Evangeline Parish; and the cities of Baton Rouge, Livingston, Denham Springs, Walker, Gonzales, Donaldsonville, Port Allen, Brusly, Addis, Lafayette, Napoleonville, Kenner, Harvey, Marrero, Estelle, Gretna, Metairie, New Orleans, Terrytown, Westwego, Ville Platte, Eunice, Opelousas, Thibodaux, Houma, Belle Chasse, and Hahnville.

Baton Rouge DWI lawyer Danny Russell is skilled, experienced, and knowledgeable about the Louisiana DWI/DUI statutes, related non-DWI statutes, and how to evaluate evidence that law enforcement and prosecutors might try to use against you. If you or someone you know has been arrested for a DWI, call the Russell Law Firm at 225-307-0088. We offer free, no obligation initial consultations.

Our DWI lawyers will handle all matters pertaining to your charge in an effective, efficient manner. We take care of paperwork and manage deadlines so that you never have to worry about the status of your case.

Information furnished herein is only general and not a substitute for personalized legal advice.
****The photograph above is not a depiction of any actual event or scene, but merely a dramatization.
By: Danny D. Russell, Esq.

Louisiana DWI Laws and Penalties

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  1. Louisiana DWI Laws & Penalties 

Under Louisiana DWI laws, it is against the law for any person to operate a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of .08% or greater or while under the influence of certain drugs.

If you are pulled over and the officer has a belief that you are indeed under the influence of alcohol or drugs, you will be arrested. Upon being arrested the officer usually confiscates your driver’s license and issues a temporary driving permit that is good for 30 days. Your driver’s license, along with the evidence he or she has collected against you, will usually be forwarded to the Louisiana Department of Motor Vehicles or some criminal evidence department of the local law enforcement agency.

After your arrest, you only have 30 days from the date of your arrest to request an administrative hearing with the Louisiana DMV to contest the suspension of your driver’s license.  

The skills of an experienced Louisiana DWI attorney who knows how administrative hearings work, may give you a better chance of avoiding the suspension of your driving privileges.

Potential Penalties for DUI / DWI in Louisiana

Louisiana First Offense DUI

A first offense DUI conviction is classified as a misdemeanor and means that you have not been arrested nor convicted of a previous DUI charge within the past 10 years.  The potential jail time and fines for a first offense DUI charge are as follows:

  • Jail time: There is a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 days. The maximum is 6-months. The sentence can be suspended for 32 hours probation instead, of which half the time has to be trash collection.
  • Fines: The fine amount for a first offense will be between $300 and $1,000 plus all the associated court costs.

Special penalty requirements for 1st-time DWI:

  • If the BAC is over .15, but less than .20, then you must serve at least 48 hours of the jail time mentioned above, without the benefit of that 48 hour sentence being suspended.
  • If the BAC is over .20, then the following penalties take effect:
    • 48 hours of mandatory jail time in addition to the general jail time requirements;
    • Fine of $750 to $1,000;
    • Installation of an ignition interlock device for a period of 12 months; and
    • 2 year suspension of driver’s license.

Louisiana Second Offense DWI

A second offense conviction is classified as a misdemeanor. The potential jail time and fines for a second offense DWI charge are as follows:

  • Jail time: The jail term for a second offense will be between 30 days and 6 months. 48 hours of the jail time you are sentenced to may be suspended.
  • Fines: The fine amount for a second offense will be between $750 and $1,000 plus all the associated court costs.

Special penalty requirements for 2nd-time DWI:

  • If the BAC is over .15, but less than .2, then the following additional penalties take effect:
    • 96 hours of the jail sentence must be served;
    • $1,000 fine;
    • Driver’s license is susptended for 4 years; and
    • An ignition interlock device must be installed for at least 3 of the 4 year license suspension if the driver is allowed to drive.

Louisiana Third Offense DWI

A third offense conviction is felony offense. The potential jail time and fines for a third offense DWI charge are as follows:

  • Jail time: The jail term for a third offense will be between 1-5 years. One year of the jail sentence must be served without the benefit of suspension.
  • Fines: The fine for a third offense is $2,000 plus all the associated court costs.

Louisiana Fourth Offense DWI

A fourth-offense DWI charge or “subsequent fourth offense” DWI is considered a felony. The potential penalties for a fourth offense DWI charge are as follows:

  • Jail time: 10 – 30 years. Two years of the jail sentence must be served without the benefit of suspension. 
  • Fines: $5,000 plus all the associated court costs.

For each of the offenses mentioned above, there may be circumstances where the offender may be required to serve additional jailtime, pay greater fines, or have his/her license suspended for a greater period. Some of those circumstances involve whether the offender was a minor, injured someone else while driving under the influence, or others. Further, depending on the offense, other outcomes may result, such as:

  • a court may allow any sentence imposed to be suspended and the offender be placed on probation;
  • the offender may have to install an ignition interlock device;
  • the offender may have to take certain drug or alcohol classes;
  • the offender may have to take certain driving classes; and
  • the offender may be required to perform community service

DWIs can have other serious consequences, so if you’ve been arrested for driving under the influence, contact a skilled DWI defense attorney at the Russell Law Firm.

The Russell Law Firm represents clients in DWI/DUI cases throughout the State of Louisiana, including the parishes of East Baton Rouge Parish, West Baton Rouge Parish, Plaquemines Parish, Livingston Parish, Ascension Parish, Jefferson Parish, Orleans Parish, St. Charles Parish, Terrebonne Parish, Assumption Parish, Lafayette Parish, Lafourche Parish, Lafayette Parish, St. Landry Parish, Evangeline Parish; and the cities of Baton Rouge, Livingston, Denham Springs, Walker, Gonzales, Donaldsonville, Port Allen, Brusly, Addis, Lafayette, Napoleonville, Kenner, Harvey, Marrero, Estelle, Gretna, Metairie, New Orleans, Terrytown, Westwego, Ville Platte, Eunice, Opelousas, Thibodaux, Houma, Belle Chasse, and Hahnville.

Danny Russell is skilled, experienced, and knowledgeable about the Louisiana DWI laws, related non-DWI statutes, and how to evaluate evidence that law enforcement and prosecutors might try to use against you. If you or someone you know has been arrested for a DWI, call the Russell Law Firm at 225-307-0088. We offer free, no obligation initial consultations.

Mr. Russell will handle all matters pertaining to your charge in an effective, efficient manner. We take care of paperwork and manage deadlines so that you never have to worry about the status of your case.

Information furnished herein is only general and not a substitute for personalized legal advice.