Mansfield Melancon’s experienced criminal defense lawyers represent individuals in complex criminal cases throughout Louisiana and at every stage of criminal investigations and court proceedings in both federal and state venues. Mansfield Melancon’s lawyers implement a unique, individualized approach to every criminal case for every client. Often the best resolution of a criminal case is achieved when no formal charges are ever brought against our client.

Mansfield Melancon’s experienced criminal defense lawyers work with clients to take proactive measures to protect themselves from civil or criminal liability. Our team works to resolve investigations quickly and favorably and prior to adverse action. We represent clients in a number of criminal matters, including the following:

Louisiana DWI Criminal Defense Lawyers

Louisiana is known for its food, music, and year-round festivals. Whether you live in Louisiana or here for vacation, places like downtown New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Lafayette, can be a lot of fun. However, when it comes to driving while intoxicated (“DWI”), the police in Louisiana take DWIs very seriously. 

If you are arrested for a DWI, do not hesitate to contact the lawyers at Mansfield Melancon. Both Scott and Collin have prior law enforcement experience, and the law enforcement training that they received is an invaluable benefit to defending your DWI case. Brad also has valuable experience prosecuting DWI arrests for the city of Baton Rouge. The experienced DWI lawyers at Mansfield Melancon understand the laws and procedures behind a DWI arrest, and they will fight for you and your rights. 

Louisiana DWI Penalties

A DWI conviction can be very serious, even if it is just your first one. The punishment ranges based on whether this is your first, second, or third DWI offense. 

If this is your first DWI offense (Misdemeanor), you could be facing the following penalties: 

  • Up to six months in jail and a fine of $300 - $1000
  • 30+ hours of community service
  • Court-approved substance abuse program and driver improvement program
  • Suspension of driver’s license
  • Probation

If this is your second DWI offense (Misdemeanor), you could be facing the following penalties: 

  • Minimum fine of $750 to $1000
  • Up to six months in jail 
  • 240+ hours of community service
  • Court-approved substance abuse program and driver improvement program
  • Suspension of driver’s license
  • Probation

If this is your third DWI offense (Felony), you could be facing the following penalties:

  • Minimum fine of $2000
  • Up to five years in jail
  • The government can seize and sell your vehicle
  • Drug diversion probation program
  • 240+ hours of community service
  • Substance abuse evaluation and treatment
  • Ignition interlock device on your vehicle
  • Probation

If this is your fourth or subsequent offense (Felony), you could be facing the following penalties:

  • Minimum fine of $5000
  • Up to thirty years in jail (two years must be served without the benefit of parole)
  • The government can seize and sell your vehicle
  • Drug diversion probation program
  • 320+ hours of community service
  • Substance abuse evaluation and treatment
  • Home incarceration program
  • Ignition interlock device on your vehicle
  • Probation 

Defenses Against DWI:

As your DWI lawyers, we can aggressively employ a number of defenses to help your case. Here are a few examples: 

Improper Stop:

A cop must have reasonable suspicion that you are an impaired driver to make a traffic stop. If the cop improperly stops you, then your lawyers can file a Motion to Suppress to ask the Court to exclude evidence from the traffic stop. 

Improper BAC Test:

When a cop administers a BAC test, he must follow specific procedures. If the cop does not follow certain rules then the results of the test may be inaccurate, and your lawyers may be able to exclude the evidence in Court through a Motion to Suppress. 

Inaccurate Field Sobriety Test:

If you get pulled over for suspicion of DWI, a cop will likely administer a Field Sobriety Test. The Field Sobriety Test includes three standardized tests: Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus, Walk & Turn, and One Leg Stand. If the cop has not been properly trained in these tests or has administered them improperly, your DWI lawyers may argue that the Field Sobriety Test results were inaccurate.

Motion to Suppress

A Motion to Suppress evidence is a request by your lawyer that the Court exclude certain evidence against you from trial – making it much harder to prosecute your case. It is a tool your lawyer can use to help defend your DWI case when a cop violated your rights or illegally obtained evidence. 

Louisiana White Collar Criminal Defense Lawyers

Every day, hard-working and well-intentioned people find themselves in the cross-hairs of white-collar criminal investigators. White-collar crimes can affect anyone, from hourly laborers to corporate officers. Anything from simple bookkeeping mistakes to intentionally fraudulent conduct can result in a lengthy criminal investigation. 

If you have been charged, arrested, or even threatened with prosecution for any white-collar crime, it is critical that you get immediate help from an experienced Louisiana lawyer at Mansfield Melancon. Do not speak with anyone, especially the police or investigators, until you have retained a lawyer to aggressively represent you. White-collar crimes often take months - or even years - for the prosecutors to complete the investigation and build a case. Early and aggressive legal representation is critical to your defense against white-collar charges. 

Types of offenses. 

The lawyers at Mansfield Melancon represent individuals and businesses charged with or under investigation for the following white-collar crimes:

  • Health Care Fraud
  • Identity Theft
  • Bank Fraud
  • Contractor Fraud
  •  Insurance Fraud
  •  Mail Fraud
  •  Embezzlement
  •  Forgery
  •  Bribery 
  •  Credit Card Fraud

Because of the lengthy and technical criminal investigation that can take place at either the state or federal levels, or both, having legal representation early during any criminal investigation is critical to your defense against white-collar crimes. 

Louisiana Felony Criminal Defense Lawyers

If you are prosecuted for a felony criminal offense, you may be at serious risk of serving significant jail time. If you have been charged, arrested, or even threatened with prosecution for a felony criminal offense, it is critical that you get immediate help from an experienced Louisiana criminal defense lawyer at Mansfield Melancon. Do not speak with anyone, especially the police or investigators, until you have retained a lawyer to aggressively represent you. Oftentimes the best strategy to defeat criminal charges requires legal representation during the criminal investigation before charges are even filed. Do not delay in contacting the lawyers at Mansfield Melancon - your liberty might depend on it. 

Punishment ranges. Felony offenses carry significant consequences. In Louisiana, a felony offense is one that is punishable by a jail sentence of one year or more. Depending on the specific crime, however, you may be facing additional fines and penalties, including restitution to the victim. Some crimes are punishable by life imprisonment or even the death penalty. Depending on the nature of the crime and certain aggravating factors, one mistake can have life-altering consequences.

Types of offenses. Felony criminal offenses in the state of Louisiana include, but are not limited to, the following crimes:

  • First Degree Murder
  • Second Degree Murder
  • Manslaughter
  • Aggravated, Forcible, or Simple Rape
  • First Degree Robbery or Aggravated Robbery
  • Aggravated or Second Degree Battery
  • Aggravated Assault with a Firearm
  • Possession or distribution of illicit drugs
  • Third Offense DWI
  • Kidnapping
  • Theft in excess of $750

It is important to have the right lawyer on your side when facing these or any other felony charges in Louisiana.

Louisiana Misdemeanor Criminal Defense Lawyers

Dealing with an arrest is frightening, no matter the charge that follows. If you are prosecuted after being arrested or receiving a court summons for a misdemeanor criminal offense, you may be at serious risk of serving jail time, losing your driver’s license, being placed under court supervision, or even losing your job, depending on the nature of the charges against you. In many cases, these results can happen after only your first court appearance. If your arrest and prosecution results in a criminal conviction, having a permanent criminal record can have many other life-altering consequences other than just jail time or a lost license.

Punishment Ranges in Louisiana

Even misdemeanor criminal charges can carry serious consequences. In Louisiana, a misdemeanor criminal offense is one that is punishable by a maximum jail sentence of one year. Depending on the specific crime, however, you may be facing additional fines and penalties. If you’ve been charged and convicted of multiple prior misdemeanor offenses, your current charges can sometimes be prosecuted as felony offenses, which typically carry heavier fines and longer terms of imprisonment.

Types of Misdemeanors in Louisiana

The following criminal offenses are considered misdemeanors in the state of Louisiana:

  • Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol (DWI / DUI)
  • Underage consumption or possession of alcohol
  • Simple battery
  • Assault
  • Domestic abuse battery
  • Simple possession of marijuana
  • Possession of drug paraphernalia
  • Criminal trespass
  • Disorderly conduct
  • Harassments
  • Illegal carrying of weapons
  • Other minor criminal offenses

Even these offenses may be considered felony charges in certain circumstances. It is important to have the right lawyer on your side when facing any of these charges. 

Schedule a Consultation with a Criminal Defense Lawyer at Mansfield Melancon Today

Whether you’re under investigation for embezzlement or health care fraud, arrested for a DWI, or a felony crime the lawyers at Mansfield Melancon will provide you with aggressive legal representation. At Mansfield Melancon, we are dedicated to the defense of people charged with all types of crimes in the Greater Baton Rouge, Lafayette and New Orleans areas, and throughout Louisiana. We are prepared to respond to your case immediately, and we will get to work interviewing potential witnesses, speaking with experts, and combing through all of the evidence from day one. Although no lawyer can guarantee any particular outcome with your charges, we will work tirelessly to see that your charges are dismissed or reduced if at all possible.

If you are ready to speak with our criminal defense lawyers, please send us a message online to schedule a confidential consultation, or call us to schedule an in-person meeting at the Louisiana offices that is closest to you: New Orleans 504-500-1108, Baton Rouge 225-612-0800, and Lafayette 337-409-0003.