AMY SZPARA

LAPLACE – It’s prom season and graduation is less than two months away for most high school seniors. It is a time of celebration, and a lot of times the post-prom parties and graduation night festivities involve alcohol. Though most people prefer not to think of high school students drinking, it is a reality, just as car accidents can be when those who have had a few too many drinks get behind the wheel. It’s not just teen-agers. It’s not just young people. Anyone who drives after drinking, should know what the consequences can be. Aside from incurring a slew of criminal charges that can land the driver in jail and auto insurance costs that will surely sky-rocket, there is also potential death and the possibility of causing other deaths. According to Capt. Patrick Yoes of the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office, a person with a first DWI conviction receives a $300-$1,000 fine and 10 days to six months in jail. The second offense will get the person a $1,000 fine or more and 30 days to six months in jail, plus 48 hours of community service. A third offense can get the convicted one to five years in prison and a $2,000 fine. A fourth offense sends the person to 10-30 years in prison, and a $5,000 fine must be paid. According to Charlene St. Martin of the Mike Williams State Farm Insurance Agency Office in LaPlace, an admitted company would immediately drop a person charged with DWI. The individual would have to go to a non-standard company, meaning that the company is not A-rated with the Louisiana Insurance Guarantee Association. Ratings are based on the financial strength of the company and the number of years that it has been in business. After five years, the person could be eligible to be insured by one of the major companies again. Dawn Duhe, an insurance agent at Dave Millet Insurance Agency in LaPlace, said that their agency offers both standard and non-standard companies. Their non-standard companies will insure a person charged with DWI, but the insurance costs will automatically go up 30-40 percent. In addition to insurance costs, a person convicted of DWI will have their license suspended for 90 days, and they will have to pay numerous court costs and Department of Motor Vehicle fees. Duhe added that the convicted DWI offender would have to file a SR22 form, which is a red flag showing that the person has been suspended. The person must carry the form for 36 months. Reckless operation of a motor vehicle, speeding, negligent injury and even vehicular homicide are offenses that are sometimes charged along with DWI charges. The worst offense, vehicular homicide, is charged when the driver is intoxicated and the accident results in a death of someone else. The charge carries a $2,000-$15,000 fine and a two to 20-year sentence upon the first offense.