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Gretna is where West Bank DWI cases are decided
Gretna is the parish seat of Jefferson Parish, so most of the West Bank's DWI system sits here. A first or second offense DWI is usually heard in Second Parish Court at 100 Huey P. Long Avenue, which handles West Bank misdemeanors and traffic. A felony DWI goes to the 24th Judicial District Court at 200 Derbigny Street, in the Thomas F. Donelon Courthouse, where the Jefferson Parish District Attorney's Office is also based.
The Jefferson Parish Correctional Center, at 100 Dolhonde Street, is in Gretna too. Arrests in the city are made by the Gretna Police Department, while nearby unincorporated areas are patrolled by the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office.
What if your BAC was 0.15% or higher?
A high BAC raises both the court penalties and the license suspension. On a first offense with a BAC of 0.15% to 0.199%, at least 48 hours must be served without parole, probation or suspension, and the license is suspended for 2 years. At 0.20% or more, the fine rises to $750 to $1,000 and an ignition interlock must stay installed for the whole suspension.
On a second offense, 0.15% or more means at least 96 hours served and a 4-year suspension. Because so much rides on one number, Barry pays close attention to how the breath or blood test was done, the machine's records and the timing of the test.
Bail and your first court appearance
If you or a loved one is being held at the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center, Louisiana law requires an appearance before a judge within 72 hours of arrest, not counting weekends and legal holidays. The judge explains your rights and can set or review bail.
Judges weigh factors like the seriousness of the charge, criminal history and flight risk. Having a lawyer involved early can help present the full picture. Learn more on our bail and bond hearings page, or call (504) 905-8399 right now.
How Barry builds a West Bank DWI defense
Barry approaches each DWI the way a prosecutor would review it, because he used to be one. He asks:
- Did the officer have a lawful reason to stop the car?
- Were field sobriety tests given properly, on a fair surface, with clear instructions?
- Was the breath instrument maintained, and was the 0.15% reading reliable?
- Was a blood sample collected, stored and tested by the rules?
- Do the video and the report tell the same story?
Problems in any of these can support a motion, a reduced charge or a trial defense. Barry will be honest with you about what he finds.
Penalties for a second or third DWI
A second DWI within 10 years carries a $750 to $1,000 fine and 30 days to 6 months in jail, and at least 48 hours must be served without parole, probation or suspension. Probation conditions include either 15 days in jail or 240 hours of community service, plus substance abuse and driver improvement programs and an ignition interlock for at least 6 months.
A third DWI is a felony heard in the 24th JDC: a $2,000 fine and 1 to 5 years, with 1 year served without benefit unless you enter court-approved treatment. On the district attorney's motion, the court orders the vehicle seized and sold. Time on probation, parole or in jail does not count toward the 10-year lookback, so older priors can still matter.
Your license: the clock starts at arrest
You have 30 days from the arrest to request an OMV hearing. Your license receipt works as a temporary license for those 30 days. At 0.15% or higher, a hardship license with an ignition interlock is available for the full suspension, so you may be able to keep driving to work. Our OMV hearing guide explains each step. For the full penalty ladder, see our DWI defense page.
What to do now
- Note your arrest date and count 30 days forward.
- Keep your citation, bond papers and license receipt together.
- Write down the test results you were shown, if any.
- Call (504) 905-8399. We answer 24/7, and the first consultation is free and confidential.
Our Kenner office is about 25 to 30 minutes (roughly 16 miles) from the Gretna courthouse. See also our Gretna criminal defense and Jefferson Parish pages.