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Just arrested? Start here
If you or someone you love was just arrested, start with the basics. These guides explain your rights, the first court appearance, bail and the deadlines the state has to meet.
- What to Do After an Arrest in Louisiana: what to say, what not to say and what happens in the first 72 hours.
- How Bail Works in Louisiana: how judges set bail, bond types, conditions and the 2026 changes.
- Felony vs. Misdemeanor in Louisiana: how charges are classified and why it matters.
If you need help right now, call (504) 905-8399. We answer 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
DWI and driving guides
A DWI arrest starts two cases at once: a criminal case and a license case. These guides cover both, plus traffic tickets.
- Louisiana DWI Penalties, 1st Through 4th Offense: the full penalty ladder, updated for 2026.
- DWI License Suspension and the OMV Hearing: the 30-day deadline, suspension lengths and hardship licenses.
- Refusing a Breathalyzer in Louisiana: what a refusal really costs.
- Should I Pay My Traffic Ticket in Louisiana?: what paying means for your record, insurance and CDL.
Drug charge guides
Louisiana drug penalties depend on the substance, the weight and whether the state claims you intended to sell. These guides break it down.
- Louisiana Marijuana Laws and Penalties: the 14-gram line, repeat offenses and intent to distribute.
- Possession vs. Possession With Intent to Distribute: how intent is argued and how the penalties compare.
Violent crime and domestic charge guides
Domestic charges carry consequences that last for years, including gun bans and records that generally cannot be expunged.
- Domestic Abuse Battery in Louisiana: penalties, enhancements, protective orders and gun rights.
Clearing your record
The way a case ends decides whether you can clear it later. These guides explain the options.
- The Louisiana Expungement Guide: who qualifies, waiting periods, costs and the status of Clean Slate.
- Article 893 and 894 Set-Asides: how deferred sentences work and the current "only twice" rule.
Choosing a lawyer
- How to Choose a Criminal Defense Lawyer in New Orleans: an honest checklist and the questions to ask in your first consultation.
For quick answers to common questions, visit our criminal defense FAQ.
Listen: A Conversation with a Louisiana Criminal Lawyer
Barry Ranshi also hosts a podcast and video series, A Conversation with a Louisiana Criminal Lawyer, where he talks through how criminal cases work in Louisiana. Episodes include:
- Louisiana Takedown: Understanding Search and Seizure Laws in Drug Cases
- Navigating a Serious Felony DUI: From Arrest to Resolution
- The Road to Justice: Understanding the Criminal Defense Process
Watch and listen on our videos page.
A note about these guides
These guides give general information about Louisiana law. They are not legal advice for your situation, and laws change. Each guide lists its sources so you can check them. Reading a guide does not create an attorney-client relationship. See our disclaimer.
Every case is different. To talk about yours, call The Barry S. Ranshi Law Firm at (504) 905-8399 for a free, confidential consultation, or explore our criminal defense practice areas.