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Why your Hammond DWI may be heard in Amite
Felony cases from Hammond go to the 21st Judicial District Court at 110 North Bay Street in Amite, not in Hammond itself. The 21st JDC serves Tangipahoa, Livingston and St. Helena parishes. Misdemeanor and traffic cases inside the city may be handled by the City Court of Hammond, so read your paperwork closely for the court name and date.
The Tangipahoa Parish Jail is also in Amite, at 101 Campo Lane. Arrests inside the city are made by the Hammond Police Department. Our Kenner office is about 50 to 55 minutes (roughly 50 miles) from Hammond, and about 65 to 75 minutes from the courthouse in Amite.
Under 21? Louisiana's 0.02% rule
Drivers under 21 face a much lower limit. At a BAC of 0.02% or more, a young driver can be charged with underage operating while impaired. A first conviction carries a $100 to $250 fine and 10 days to 3 months in jail. The jail time can be suspended with probation that includes 32 hours of community service and substance abuse and driver improvement programs.
A second underage offense brings a $250 to $500 fine and 30 days to 6 months. An under-21 driver at 0.08% or higher is charged under the adult DWI law instead, with adult penalties. If your son or daughter was arrested, call (504) 905-8399. A conviction now can follow a young person into school, jobs and insurance for years.
Adult DWI penalties in brief
For drivers 21 and older, a first DWI is a misdemeanor with a $300 to $1,000 fine and 10 days to 6 months in jail, much of which can be suspended with probation and an ignition interlock. With a BAC of 0.15% or more, at least 48 hours must be served and the license is suspended for 2 years. A second offense brings a $750 to $1,000 fine and 30 days to 6 months, with at least 48 hours served. A third offense is a felony with 1 to 5 years.
The full penalty ladder, including high-BAC rules, is on our main DWI defense page.
License suspension and the 30-day request
You have 30 days from the arrest to request an OMV hearing. After that, the suspension starts on its own. For a driver under 21 who tests at 0.02% or more, the suspension is 180 days. For adults, a first failed test brings 180 days, 0.15% or more brings 2 years, and a first refusal brings 1 year.
A restricted license with an ignition interlock is usually available right away for refusals and tests under 0.15%. Read our OMV hearing guide for details.
How Barry handles a Tangipahoa Parish DWI from Kenner
Barry handles cases across Tangipahoa Parish and travels to court in Hammond or Amite as needed. Most clients start with a free remote consultation by phone or video, so nobody has to drive to Kenner just to get answers.
Then the real work starts. As a former trial prosecutor, Barry reviews the reason for the stop, the field sobriety tests, the breath or blood test records and any video. For a young driver, he also looks at how the case can be resolved in a way that protects the future, such as an Article 894 set-aside where the law allows it.
In an underage case the numbers are small, so small errors matter. A breath result near 0.02% leaves little room for a machine that was not maintained, a test given too soon after a last drink, or an officer who skipped a step. Barry checks the instrument records, the timing of the test and the officer's notes against any video.
Do this in the first 24 to 72 hours
- Find the paperwork. Note the court name, the date and the arrest date.
- Count 30 days. That is your OMV hearing deadline.
- Stay quiet online. Do not post or text about the arrest.
- Ask about bail. If someone is held in Amite, Louisiana requires a judge appearance within 72 hours, excluding weekends and holidays.
- Call us. (504) 905-8399, 24/7, free and confidential.
For other charges, see our Hammond criminal defense and Tangipahoa Parish pages.