Did you know that if you're convicted of a DWI, the State of Louisiana automatically suspends your driver's license for a year? And if you're caught driving with a suspended license, you could potentially face up to 6 months in jail a hundreds of dollars in fines. 

What is a DWI?

According to LA RS 14:98:

Operating a vehicle while intoxicated

            A.(1) The crime of operating a vehicle while intoxicated is the operating of any motor vehicle, aircraft, watercraft, vessel, or other means of conveyance when any of the following conditions exist:

            (a) The operator is under the influence of alcoholic beverages.

            (b) The operator's blood alcohol concentration is 0.08 percent or more by weight based on grams of alcohol per one hundred cubic centimeters of blood.

            (c) The operator is under the influence of any controlled dangerous substance listed in Schedule I, II, III, IV, or V as set forth in R.S. 40:964.

            (d)(i) The operator is under the influence of a combination of alcohol and one or more drugs that are not controlled dangerous substances and that are legally obtainable with or without a prescription.

Is a DWI a Felony?

Typically, first time DWI offenders will face a misdemeanor charge, unless their are special circumstances. a DWI charge becomes a felony when it is a repeat offense. This means that if you have been convicted of a DWI in other states or in Louisiana on previous occasions, you will most likely face a felony charge. 

Will my license be suspended if I'm convicted of a DWI?

Yes, if you are convicted of a DWI, your license will automatically be suspended for a year. 

Do I contact the District Attorney's Office about my suspended license?

No, the District Attorney's Office has nothing to do with suspended licenses, you must go through the DMV. Find more info from the DMV here.

What will happen if I drive with a suspended license? 

If you are caught driving while having a suspended license, you could potentially face up to 6 months in jail and/or $500 in fines according to LA RS 32:415:

§415. Operating vehicle while license is suspended; offenses in other states; record of offenses given other states

            A. It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a motor vehicle upon any public highway of this state during the period of suspension, revocation or cancellation of any license which may have been issued to him by this state or by any other state.

            B.(1) Any period of suspension or revocation shall automatically be extended for a period of one year from the date the licensee would otherwise have been entitled to apply for a new license upon his conviction for any offense involving the operation of a motor vehicle committed during such period. No driver shall use a license issued to him in another state or the privilege of a nonresident to drive a motor vehicle in this state, upon receiving notice of his conviction, or of the entry of a plea of guilty and sentence thereupon, or of the forfeiture of bail in another state of federal jurisdiction for any offense, which if committed in this state, would be grounds for suspension or revocation of the license.

            (2) The court may order a licensee who violates the provisions of Subsection A of this Section to have an ignition interlock device installed on any vehicle in which the licensee operates when the license was suspended, revoked, or canceled pursuant to the implied consent law in accordance with the provisions of R.S. 32:661 et seq. or for a violation of any of the following:

            (a) R.S. 14:98.

            (b) R.S. 14:32.1.

            (c) R.S. 14:39.1.

            (d) R.S. 14:39.2.

            (e) A parish or municipal ordinance that prohibits the operation of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

            (3) If the provisions of Paragraph (1) of this Subsection are ordered by a court, the court shall order that the ignition interlock device remain installed for a period of time not less than the remaining period of suspension, revocation, or cancellation.

            C.(1) A person with a Class "D" or Class "E" driver's license who violates the provisions of Subsection A of this Section may be fined up to five hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than six months, or both, and may be subject to a civil penalty of up to one thousand two hundred fifty dollars. A person shall not be arrested or imprisoned for a violation of this Section due solely to a suspension imposed pursuant to R.S. 32:414(R)(1).

            (2) A person with a Class "A", "B", or "C" driver's license who violates the provisions of Subsection A of this Section may be fined up to five thousand dollars or imprisoned for not more than six months or both and may be subject to a civil penalty of up to two thousand five hundred dollars.

            D.(1) If the court finds that the defendant violated Subsection A at the time of conduct resulting in a conviction for a second or subsequent offense violation of R.S. 14:98, the offender shall be fined not less than three hundred dollars nor more than five hundred dollars and imprisoned for not less than seven days nor more than six months. At least seven days of such imprisonment shall be without benefit of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence and shall be consecutive to any sentence imposed for the violation of R.S. 14:98. In addition the person may be subject to a civil penalty of up to one thousand two hundred fifty dollars.

            (2) If the person is operating a Group "A", "B", or "C" vehicle, and the court finds that the defendant violated Subsection A of this Section, at the time of conduct resulting in a conviction for a second or subsequent offense in violation of R.S. 14:98, the offender shall be fined not less than three hundred dollars nor more than five thousand dollars and imprisoned for not less than seven days nor more than six months. At least seven days of such imprisonment shall be without benefit of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence and shall be consecutive to any sentence imposed for the violation of R.S. 14:98. In addition, the person may be subject to a civil fine of up to two thousand five hundred dollars.