Lafayette is commonly viewed as a party town by regional residents and tourists alike. It may not have the reputation of New Orleans, but many people do expect to have a great time drinking alcohol at local pubs when they come to town. Unfortunately, this can result in an arrest for Operating Under the Influence of alcohol.
Strategies in Tough Cases
Even when a case seems like there is no way to have a successful outcome for the driver, a person should not hesitate to contact a legal professional such as Chris Richard Attorney at law for a consultation. Lawyers who defend clients against charges of Operating Under the Influence know the most effective strategies to unravel the prosecution’s case. They work to convince a judge to dismiss the case or have the prosecuting attorney reduce the charges. If the charge truly is unbeatable, the lawyer makes a persuasive argument as to why the defendant deserves leniency in sentencing.
Lenient Sentencing
The judicial system imposes harsh penalties on people convicted of OUI because the behavior is so dangerous. Drunk driving accounts for a large percentage of serious collisions, including those that cause severe injuries and fatalities. If this is the driver’s first offense, the sentence is more lenient. Judges also may be inclined to leniency if the person’s blood alcohol content was only borderline illegal.
Aggravating Factors
To be qualified for the most lenient OUI sentence, the defendant cannot have been charged with any aggravating factors. If the person caused a vehicle collision or property damage elsewhere, for example, the prosecution and the judge will view the situation more harshly. The same is true if the driver became combative with the police officer. In these situations, a lawyer is especially necessary to mitigate the possible consequences. These individuals are at risk of significant jail time if convicted.
Mandatory Sentences
In some cases, lawyers cannot interfere with sentencing. For example, if the defendant is convicted of a second drunk driving offense, Louisiana state law requires a minimum of 45-day driver’s license suspension. An ignition interlock device is mandatory for anyone convicted of driving under the influence. You can connect with them on Facebook for more updates!
