Alcohol-Related Offenses

During Mardi Gras season, we often see a large uptick in the number of arrests for alcohol-related offenses. This means a rise in arrests for Driving While Intoxicated, Public Drunkenness, Disturbing the Peace and Resisting an Officer offenses.

First and second offense DWI and the other offenses listed above are misdemeanor offenses, but they carry penalty ranges ranging up to 6 months in jail and fines.

Disturbing the Peace includes fighting, being drunk in public, and what has often been termed: “fightin’ words”. It carries a penalty range of up of a $100 fine and imprisonment up to 90 days. Public Drunkenness carries a penalty of up to a $200 fine and imprisonment for up to 7 days.

Driving While Intoxicated prohibits the operation of a motor vehicle on a public roadway while the operator is impaired as a result of a controlled substance or an alcohol beverage. It carries penalties including mandatory jail time unless the person convicted is placed on probation and completes community service and court-ordered substance abuse treatment. An arrest for DWI also often results in the suspension of the arrestee’s driving privileges with requirements that he obtain SR-22 proof of insurance and also an ignition interlock device for any vehicle he operates.

Enjoy yourselves at Mardi Gras this year, friends, but be careful! If you or someone you know ends up on the wrong side of the criminal law this season, call us at (318) 459-9111