We all make errors in judgment and we may end up paying a very steep price for those errors. This is especially true if the mistakes we make occur at particularly inopportune moments. Take for example being charged with driving while intoxicated. There is no good time to receive such charges in Louisiana. A DUI conviction could cost you money in fines. You could have your driving privileges revoked. You may even have to spend time in jail. Moreover, if you are accused of driving while intoxicated when you are on the job, your career and future prospects could suddenly be in the balance. Recently in Lafayette, a 50-year-old former school bus driver was arrested and charged in connection to an incident that took place in March. According to the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s office, the bus driver had a 0.04 percent blood alcohol level when he drove a school bus into a ditch. At the time of the incident, he received a citation for careless operation of a vehicle.
The legal BAC limit for motorists in Louisiana is 0.08 percent. But the level is 0.02 for commercial drivers who are on duty, which was the case for the bus driver. Further, the Lafayette Parish School System applies a zero-tolerance policy to employees who work with children. The bus driver has already resigned from his position and is now facing charges. Such circumstances can be both stressful and costly. A conviction could go not only on your driving record, but on your work record as well. This could make seeking future employment that much more difficult.
If you are facing charges for operating a vehicle while intoxicated, it is very important to carefully plan your defense. A Louisiana DUI attorney may be able to advise you on your best available options.
Source: The Sun Herald, ” Louisiana school bus driver arrested, accused of having alcohol in system during crash,” May 7, 2015