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Louisiana man sentenced to 25 years for sixth DWI conviction

On Behalf of | Dec 2, 2011 | Drunk Driving, Firm News |

A 44-year-old Lacombe man has been sentenced to 25 years in prison following a sixth conviction for DWI. According to sources, the man was stopped back in May, while he was still on probation from his fifth DWI.

Interestingly, the man had an ignition interlock device installed in his vehicle at the time, but found a way to get around it. Ignition interlock devices are intended to prevent a vehicle from starting if the driver has above a certain blood alcohol concentration.

The man apparently drew the attention of a state trooper when he ran over a curb in Mendeville and then pulled into a gas station lot, parking his car irregularly. When the state trooper approached, he noted that the driver smelled of alcohol, that he was unable to stand well, and that he failed a number of field sobriety tests. Police notes said the man fell asleep in the back seat of the trooper’s car on the way to jail.

The man’s 25 year sentence came without the possibility of parole, probation or suspension of sentence.

The man was convicted in St. Tammany Parish in October as a habitual defender. His previous convictions occurred in 1991, 1993, 2000 and 2010. The man reportedly also has a number of other offenses on his recording, including resisting arrest, disturbing the peace, switching license plates, possession of cocaine, forgery, burglary, theft, battery, assault, operating an unregistered vehicle, driving on a suspended license, criminal damage, obstructing an officer, and misrepresenting himself during booking.

Consequences for DWI become harsher with each additional offense, so it is important to take the necessary steps to prevent such convictions wherever possible. There are a number of grounds on which DWI charges can be contested. Those facing such charges do well to consult with an attorney to achieve the best possible defense.

Source: Nola.com, “Lacombe man to serve 25 years for sixth DWI,” Claire Galofaro, December 1, 2011.

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