DWI/DUI

DWI/DUI

DWI/DUI On The Northshore, Southshore, Baton Rouge and New Orleans Metro Areas

Misdemeanor 1st or 2nd or felony 3rd or 4th, your life has been turned upside down by arrest. First, you need a bond. If you use a bondsman, you will have to put up 12% of the bond. This is non-returnable. By hiring an attorney before posting a bond, an attorney may be able to get the bond reduced, get you released on your own recognizance, or help with a property bond. A property bond is like a refundable mortgage to the Parish. If the person arrested shows up for court, the bond is released when the case is over with $0 out-of-pocket expense. As a condition of your bond, you will be drug tested. An attorney can help you protect yourself from false positives. A condition of your bond will be to not leave Louisiana. If your job or school requires travel, you will need an attorney to get this restriction lifted or changed.

First you have to worry about a Department o f Public Safety (DPS) hearing to keep your driver’s license. The hearing must be requested by your attorney within 15 days of arrest. If you receive an unfavorable outcome from the DPS hearing, your attorney can appeal to a District Court Judge.

Your case will be screened by a senior assistant district attorney, who will make the decision about which charges will be accepted or refused, whether the case will be dismissed, referred to diversion, or sent to trial.

Next comes arraignment. For a felony, the case will be assigned to a division for trial. The assistant district attorney in that division may make a plea offer.

Preliminary examination, Motion to Suppress, Lunacy Hearing and other Motions hearings follow. Exhibits must be viewed, witnesses interviewed, lab test results reviewed, photographs, videos & recordings turned over to the defense attorney in discovery. Defense experts may need to examine or test the State’s evidence. Before trial one or more pre-trial conference will follow and there may be several if other cases are tried ahead of yours.

There may be several continuances of trial also because there are cases set for trial ahead of yours. But delay is good for your defense in many ways, evidence may be lost, witnesses may lose interest or move, law enforcement may retire or move. Trial will be with a judge if it’s a misdemeanor. For a felony, there is the option of a jury.

If the outcome is unfavorable at trial, sentencing will follow. An appeal can be taken following trial. Expungement may be available if a plea offer is accepted and is available if the case is dismissed, diversion is offered and completed or if you receive a not guilty verdict.

The attorneys at Ellen Cronin Badeaux, LLC, at 985-892-1955, have 30 years of experience representing people arrested for DWI/DUI in the cities of Amite, Baton Rouge, Bogalusa, Chalmette, Clinton, Covington, Denham Springs, Donaldsonville, Franklinton, Gonzales, Greensburg, Gretna, Hammond, Kenner, Livingston, Madisonville, Mandeville, Metairie, New Orleans, St. Francisville and Slidell in Ascension, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Jefferson, Livingston, Orleans, St. Bernard, St. Helena, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, West Feliciana and Washington Parishes.

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Testimonials

"I would like to thank your firm for everything you’ve done to help me keep 50/50 custody of my son. I came to you on very short notice but you knew exactly how to handle my case and I couldn’t be happier. I’m sure I will be working with you again in the future."
Ryan
"After retaining two lawyers who made no progress, I retained Ellen Cronin Badeaux. Yesterday was our first hearing together and it was a major success. Ellen was professional, diligent, and a fighter...I am very glad I found her and will refer her to others without a doubt."
Lyndsey
"Ms. Badeaux has been an excellent family attorney for us. Her time and personal commitment have allowed us to make informed decisions. We have had to trust her with very delicate and emotional issues and she has guided us to excellent outcomes. I will always appreciate the exceptional service she provides our family with. I have always liked the statement, "you get what you pay for"; and Mrs. Badeaux has been well worth it."
Patricia
"Extremely knowledgeable and aggressive attorney. She has been our attorney for nearly 10 years. I highly recommend her for any family court matters."
Mary
"I have used Ms. Badeaux as my attorney off and on for 15 years. She has settled everything without a fuss; including a personal injury suit, an estate settlement and the quick setup of a partnership. I will continue to use her as my attorney and happily recommend her to friends & family."
Jean
"No one thought I could win but with her valuable service and exceptional legal knowledge, I did! I got my kids back and they're still with me today. I highly recommend Ellen Badeaux. I would not have my kids today if not for her!"
Tammi

"Hey Ellen, I truly appreciate you sitting through today’s hearing. I know that you didn’t have to and it meant more than you’ll ever know. Thank you. I don’t have very much money anymore but I am going to do everything I can to get this bill paid so that I can have representation. Thank you once again for me being such an incredible woman. It’s rare and noted. Have an amazing night and a Happy Valentines Day. Thank you. YG"
Jay Green

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