The world does not end when you receive a DUI in Beech Grove, Indianapolis. A DUI is a severe offense that can damage your reputation and quality of life. However, DUI is a charge that defense attorneys often disprove, and you do have options if you are caught for DUI. At DUI Lawyer Indianapolis, we can prevent the evidence from being used against you, get your charges dropped, negotiate a reduced sentence, or even protect you from incarceration.
You have inquiries as you deal with your DUI in Indiana. Are you going to be jailed? Are your driving privileges still valid? What are the penalties for DUI in Indiana? Do you require a skilled professional’s assistance?
Our accomplished DUI defense attorney in Beech Grove can assist you, but you need to act quickly. Your DUI case has its first deadline only ten days after the arrest, or the DMV will immediately suspend your driving license. After that, the court dates will be scheduled soon, so make the most of this time to prepare your defense. We will review the arrest report to look for weaknesses in the prosecution’s case and ensure that your case takes a good course. Contact us at 317-517-9002 for a free consultation and case review.
What Is The Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) Limit In Indiana?
The average legal BAC limit in Indiana is 0.08. However, the percentage lowers to 0.02 when the driver is under 21. Driving an automobile with a BAC higher than the legal limit is illegal in Indiana.
Law enforcement in Indiana uses different techniques to determine a driver’s BAC. Most police officers will first request that you blow into a breathalyzer. The officer will also ask you to submit to another chemical test if the breathalyzer indicates that you are intoxicated.
What Penalties Can I Face For A DUI In Indiana?
The punishment for drunk driving convictions in Indiana is heavily influenced by the number of prior convictions for the same offense. Potential penalties for a DUI charge in Indiana include the following:
First Time
A first DUI offense in Indiana is classified as a Class C misdemeanor. This offense has a maximum prison sentence of 60 days and a maximum fine of $500. Additionally, the state can suspend your driving license for up to two years.
Repeat Offenses
The first DUI you receive will be on your record permanently. If you receive a second DUI, you must spend five days in jail and perform 180 hours of community service. You may also need to attend counseling in addition to any other requirements. Penalties for a third DUI conviction are very severe.
When you are guilty of DUI a third time, you must spend ten days in jail and serve at least 360 hours of community service, among other requirements.
Can I Refuse A Breathalyzer Test In Indiana?
If you refuse to take the breathalyzer, the police won’t have any concrete evidence that you were intoxicated while driving. However, you will still have to deal with the law despite refusing the test. Your driving license may be suspended if you initially refuse a chemical test.
You may suffer a two-year license suspension if you’ve already committed a first OWI. You are entitled to a hearing if your license is revoked because you refused to take a breathalyzer test in Indiana. This should take place within 20 days after your arrest.
Implied Consent Laws In Indiana
Driving while intoxicated is illegal in Indiana. Indiana implied consent laws require all drivers to consent to chemical tests. The rules are designed to ensure that all drivers consent to being tested. Additionally, it seeks to assist law enforcement in obtaining the proof required to pursue offenders.
It may seem wise to decline a chemical test if you have been drinking. However, refusing is against the law, and your driver’s license may be suspended for at least a year if you violate the implied consent statute.
What Is A Felony DUI In Indiana?
You may face felony DUI charges in Indiana if:
- You were found guilty of DUI in the previous five years
- You were driving while intoxicated and had a passenger under 18
- You were charged with careless driving and accused of endangering others
- You injured or murdered people due to drunk driving
At DUI Lawyer Indianapolis, we understand how crucial it is for you to avoid getting a felony DUI on your record. A felony conviction carries a minimum 6-month and maximum 3-year prison term. There are three types of confinement: incarceration, work release, and home confinement. Remember that you must serve all felony jail terms in the Indiana Department of Corrections.
You will also have to complete an alcohol treatment program as part of your sentence. Your initial evaluation will determine the kind of program you must complete. A trained alcohol counselor will assess your drinking issues and offer guidance on how to obtain assistance.
Our Beech Grove DUI defense attorney has the skills, resources, and experience necessary to defend felony suspects in Indianapolis. We thoroughly understand the law and the criminal procedures that apply to felony cases. We know how to handle obstinate prosecutors and minimize or eliminate felony charges.
Common Defenses In DUI cases
In Indiana, a DUI conviction can have severe and lasting repercussions, such as losing your license, paying hefty penalties, or even spending time in jail. If you wish to escape these negative consequences, you need a skilled Beech Grove DUI defense attorney to present every viable counterargument to the allegations. Here are four common but effective defenses we can use to defend your DUI charges:
Lack Of Probable Cause For A Stop
To present pertinent evidence in court, an officer must have had probable cause to stop, detain, or arrest you when charging you with DUI. We may suppress the evidence if the officer stopped you without a solid basis, detained you after the stop, or arrested you after the detention.
Challenging Accuracy Of Tests
Disputing an alcohol or drug test’s findings typically means that you are claiming that the test’s methodology was flawed or that the results misrepresent the amount of drugs or alcohol you consumed while driving. Our experienced DUI attorneys in Beech Grove, Indianapolis, know the signs to look for while examining a case to uncover these defenses. We will even bring witnesses to argue why the results from the state’s testing are incorrect based on chemical test results.
Evidence And Rules Violations
Rules govern how the police should gather, handle, store, and present evidence. Most of these issues can surface during the trial. Our DUI lawyer in Indianapolis will object if the prosecution seeks to use hearsay or unrelated character evidence in court.
Necessity
You can claim necessity or pressure as a defense against a DUI accusation, even though it doesn’t happen frequently. You can, for instance, get into a circumstance where someone is attempting to harm you. You get behind the wheel despite having had some alcohol. In this case, you invoke the necessity argument if you are arrested for drunk driving.
How Can A Beech Grove DUI Defense Lawyer Help Me?
It is exceedingly difficult to defend against DUI allegations on your own because numerous variables are at play in DUI situations. It is pretty beneficial to seek the assistance of a Beech Grove DUI defense lawyer with expertise and familiarity with the Indianapolis legal system. Typically, our DUI attorney in Beech Grove can assist you in advancing your case by:
Selecting A Potent Argument To Support Your Claim
Making a plea decision is a crucial step in determining the course of a DUI case. Your punishment may change depending on how you plead. Typically, you can declare guilt or innocence though you still have other choices. If you want to finish the case quickly, you can also submit a No Contest plea, which indicates that you don’t agree or disagree with the state’s assertions. We will determine the best choice for you and your circumstances by getting a solid argument to defend your allegations.
Lowering DUI Sanctions
DUI is a serious felony in Indiana, and the punishments can be severe. Hiring a Beech Grove DUI attorney is inexpensive compared to the fines and jail time you could face if you are found guilty. Our DUI lawyer in Indianapolis is prepared to assist you. We will thoroughly examine your case facts to get you a lesser punishment or perhaps a complete pardon.
Shortening Your Time In Prison
Even if it is your first offense, you must serve time in jail if you are found guilty of DUI in Indianapolis. You can be sentenced to even more prison time if this was your second or third offense or if other circumstances made the crime worse. Luckily, our DUI defense attorney in Beech Grove, Indianapolis, can assist you in avoiding going to jail.
Objecting To Your License Suspension
Losing your driver’s license is a significant consequence of drunk driving in Indiana, aside from jail time and penalties. It’s challenging to carry out daily tasks like getting to work and running errands without a driver’s license. We are conscious of the significant impact that a suspension may have. Therefore, our DUI attorneys in Beech Grove prioritize assisting you in appealing any license suspension.
Clearing Up A DUI On Your Record
A DUI is a severe offense that could negatively impact future employment opportunities. You should seek assistance from our DUI defense lawyers in Beech Grove to cleanse your name and safeguard your future. Our experts will consult you to determine the best strategy and fight for the most significant outcome in your case.
Speak With A DUI Defense Attorney In Beech Grove – The First Step To A Successful Case
A DUI case is rarely beyond hope. Police officers muck up their investigations on roadsides. Blood tests and breathalyzers also have room for error. Our competent DUI lawyers in Indiana take advantage of such flaws to win DUI cases. There’s no substitute for an experienced legal defense in a DUI case.
Have you been charged with DUI in Beech Grove, Indiana? We can begin defending your rights immediately if you contact our Beech Grove DUI defense lawyers. Contact us to schedule a free and private case evaluation at DUI Lawyer Indianapolis to discuss your situation and learn how we can assist you. Call us at 317-517-9002 to get started.
