Indiana DWI/DUI Lawyer

If you live in Indiana, or were vacationing, visiting, or doing business in the State of Indiana and were stopped and charged with a DWI (driving while intoxicated) or DUI (driving under the influence) violation, you need to seek the services of an experienced Indiana lawyer. An Indiana lawyer well-versed in the practices of DWI and DUI law can help you through the complicated and very complex legal processes involved with a DWI or DUI charge.

A DWI or DUI violation is a serious offense and can carry harsh penalties that can stay with you for the rest of your life. If you are convicted of a DUI crime, it will be on your record for many people to see. Future employers have access to this report if they request a criminal background check on you. If you had any desire to obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL) that option would be closed to you with a DUI conviction on your record.

In the State of Indiana, a DUI is referred to as an OWI (Operating While Intoxicated) offense. This offense is issued for drivers with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level of 0.08 or higher. These are considered misdemeanor charges in the State of Indiana. If your BAC level is 0.15 or higher, you will face stiffer sanctions.

In the State of Indiana, if you are stopped for an OWI offense the police officer at the scene has the sole discretion of which test you take, either a breath test or a urine test. You do not have the option of refusing to take a test because, as a driver of a motor vehicle in the State of Indiana, your consent to be tested is “implied” when you get behind the wheel of your vehicle. You also may not speak to a lawyer before you take the test. If you refuse to take the test, the officer will take your driver’s license. However, under Indiana law you are not suspended from driving while you are awaiting your court hearing. You can even ask for a duplicate license while waiting.

Penalties

First Offense consequences

• Up to 60 days in jail (Class C misdemeanor)
• Probation of one year
• Fines up to $500
• Driver’s license suspension between 90 days to 2 years

Second Office punishment

• Six months to three years in jail (offense within 5 years, Class D felony)
• Probation of three years
• Fines up to $10,000
• Driver’s license suspension for 1 to 2 years

Repeat offenders or those with aggravating circumstances will face more severe penalties.

OWI laws are constantly changing and you will need an expert Indiana lawyer to help you sort through all the terminology. An experienced Indiana lawyer will be able to ask all the right questions and guide you through the necessary procedures.

DUI Defense

Your experienced Indiana lawyer will review your case in every facet and detail and try to provide options for your defense. Some of the challenges made to your case by an expert Indiana lawyer who is knowledgeable about the field of DUI law could include:

• Challenge the police officer who stopped you in the first place. The officer must have a valid reason for stopping your vehicle.
• Challenge the validity of the blood, breath, or urine tests that were taken, if applicable.
• Challenge the maintenance of any equipment used in one of those tests.
• Challenge the skill or training of the person administering the test.
• If you are not provided with a speedy trial, within a certain specified timeframe, the charges against you must be dismissed.

If you have a pending OWI charge against you in the State of Indiana, you need to find and hire a qualified and licensed lawyer in the State of Indiana to represent you.