How Two Drivers Took Two Very Different Paths — and What Made the Difference

🚗 Same Night. Same Charge. Totally Different Outcomes.

Two drivers. Both arrested for first-time DWI in North Louisiana. No prior record. No injuries. Just a mistake behind the wheel after a few drinks.

One ends up in jail with a conviction on their record.
The other avoids jail, keeps their license, and qualifies for expungement.

What changed?

Who they called — and when.

At Lawrence Law Firm, we've helped drivers in Ruston, Lincoln Parish, and surrounding areas turn a scary situation into a manageable one. Let's walk through what happens when you make the right call early — and what happens when you don't.

⚖️ Scenario A: Diversion, License Retained, Record Expunged

Melissa is a 23-year-old college graduate who was pulled over leaving a restaurant in Ruston. She blew a 0.10 BAC. No crash, no passengers, no prior issues.

She calls an attorney the next morning.

🔍 What We Do:

• Immediately request administrative hearing to challenge license suspension

• Enroll her in pretrial counseling and alcohol education

• Negotiate with the DA for diversion or Article 894 plea

• File for expungement six months after the case is resolved

✅ Outcome:

• No jail time

• No criminal conviction

• Driving privileges restored with limited interruption

• Expungement granted — clean record for employment and licensing

❌ Scenario B: Conviction, Jail, and Long-Term Consequences

Tyrell is 26, arrested for DWI after a stop in Lincoln Parish. He refuses the breath test. He pleads guilty at arraignment without speaking to a lawyer — just wants to “get it over with.”

🚫 Consequences:

• Automatic license suspension for refusal

• Conviction on record (cannot be removed for 5+ years)

• Mandatory jail time or community service

• Court-ordered classes, ignition interlock, and fines

• Criminal record visible to future employers and insurance companies

• No ability to expunge for years — and harder even then

🧠 The Lesson: Time, Experience, and Representation Matter

In DWI cases, the outcome is almost never just about “what you did.” It's about how you respond:

• Calling a lawyer early

• Knowing your rights

• Acting fast before deadlines pass

• Using pretrial options the right way

• Avoiding mistakes that trigger mandatory penalties

The law in Louisiana is harsh — even for first-timers. But with an experienced local attorney, you still have leverage.

🛡️ How We Help DWI Clients

At Lawrence Law Firm, we defend first-time DWI clients by:

• Protecting their license from suspension

• Challenging improper stops, tests, and arrests

• Securing non-conviction resolutions

• Minimizing penalties and avoiding jail

• Clearing their record with strategic expungement when the time is right

📞 Got a DWI? You've Still Got Options.

📞 Call 318.232.4000 now to speak with a DWI defense lawyer in Ruston, Louisiana
🖥️ Or [schedule your free consultation] online

Don't let a one-night mistake become a five-year problem. We can help you walk away clean.

🔜 Coming Up in the Series:

Blog #3: Shoplifting Charge — Permanent Record vs. Expungement

The blog published by Lawrence Law Firm is available for informational purposes only and is not considered legal advice on any subject matter. By viewing blog posts, the reader understands there is no attorney-client relationship between the reader and the blog publisher. Artificial Intelligence has been used to assist in formatting, topic selection, and organization, and while this information has been reviewed an attorney, this article should not be used as a substitute for legal advice from a licensed professional attorney, and readers are urged to consult their own legal counsel on any specific legal questions concerning a specific situation.