It is both illegal and dangerous to drive under the influence of intoxicating substances, such as alcohol and drugs. Why? The intoxicating substances impair your physical coordination, judgment, and reaction time. If you are arrested for driving under the influence, it can have lingering consequences on your life. You can lose your job and spend time in jail.
Do not take a driving under the influence (DUI) charge lightly. You can face severe penalties and get a permanent criminal record. You could lose your license and even your job. It can take years to rebuild your life after a DUI charge. It is, therefore, in your best interest to hire a good Greenwood DUI defense attorney to help you beat a DUI charge.
If you have been arrested for driving under the influence, then you need to contact a DUI defense attorney in Greenwood with experience in these types of charges. At DUI Lawyer Indianapolis, we can help you save your driver’s license after a DUI offense. We work hard to protect your rights. Call us at 317-517-9002 for a FREE consultation.
What Is Indiana’s Blood Alcohol Content Limit?
It is illegal to operate a motor vehicle when your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is above the legal BAC limit. In Indiana, the BAC limit is 0.08 for drivers above the age of 21. However, the BAC limit is 0.02 for drivers under the age of 21.
What Penalties Can I Face for a DUI in Indiana?
The penalties you can face for a DUI in Indiana will depend on the number of times you have been found guilty of driving under the influence of intoxicating substances. You could, therefore, face suspension of your driver’s license, spend time in jail, and pay substantial fines.
First Time
You can face $500 to $5,000 in fines and up to one year in jail for a first DUI offense, depending on your blood alcohol level. Your driver’s license can also be suspended for up to one year for a first DUI offense. If you, however, refuse to submit to a chemical test, your driver’s license may be suspended for an additional one-year.
Repeat Offenses
You can face up to $10,000 in fines and up to 2.5 years in prison for repeat offenses, depending on your blood alcohol level. The state can also suspend your driver’s license for 1 to 2.5 years. If you, however, refuse to submit to a chemical test, the state may suspend your driver’s license for two additional years.
It is best to consult a skilled DUI defense attorney. The lawyer will explain your legal options and help you understand the penalties you are facing for your DUI charge. Your lawyer can lessen or dismiss your DUI charges.
Can I Refuse a Breathalyzer Test in Indiana?
You can refuse a breathalyzer test in Indiana. If refuse a breathalyzer test, the police officer will not have hard evidence you were driving under the influence. If you, however, refuse a breathalyzer test in Indiana, the state may suspend your driver’s license for one year on your first offense.
Implied Consent Laws in Indiana
Implied consent laws exist in Indiana. Therefore, if you obtain a driver’s license or get behind the wheel of a motor vehicle in Indiana, then you have given your implied agreement to take a BAC test. BAC test analyzes your urine, blood, or breath to determine your blood alcohol level.
A police officer is, therefore, legally entitled to perform a chemical test through your urine or blood. If you are unconscious, a police officer can still perform a chemical test through your urine or blood before you wake up.
The police officer can also perform one or more chemical tests. The officer must, however, adhere to strict rules when performing chemical tests.
What Is a Felony DUI in Indiana?
A felony DUI occurs if an intoxicated driver causes serious bodily injures to someone or kills someone, or if an intoxicated driver drives a motor vehicle with a minor in the vehicle. A felony DUI comes with more severe penalties.
In Indiana, a felony DUI carries penalties of up to a $5,000 fine, up to 2.5 years imprisonment, suspension of your driver’s license, a felony on your record, and even court-ordered participation in an alcohol/drug rehabilitation program.
Common Defenses in DUI cases
The penalties for a DUI charge are severe. And a conviction for a DUI charge can lead to serious consequences. The penalties can damage your reputation. In our opinion, it is best to hire a skilled Greenwood DUI defense attorney to help fight a DUI charge. The following are the common defenses in DUI cases:
Lack of Probable Cause for Stop
A police officer needs to have probable cause to stop your vehicle. The officer must follow proper protocol in examining your driver’s license and registration and administering a breathalyzer test.
However, if the officer does not have evidence to support you were driving under the influence, then your attorney can argue that the police officer did not have probable cause to stop your car. Therefore, the prosecution may dismiss your case.
Challenging Accuracy of Tests
The police officer must adhere to strict rules and follow specific protocols to ensure the Standardized Field Sobriety Test (SFST) and chemical tests are accurate and reliable.
If the police officer performs the tests in poor conditions and gives improper directions, then the results can be skewed. Your lawyer will investigate and review your arrest records and data to reveal these mistakes. If the tests are inaccurate, then your case could be thrown out.
We recommend working with a skilled DUI defense attorney in Greenwood, IN. Why? Skilled attorneys understand the law. So, they will ensure your rights are protected. If you do not understand the laws of Indiana, then illegally obtained evidence can be used against you. Your lawyer will ensure the prosecution does not use any illegally obtained evidence.
How Can a Greenwood DUI Defense Lawyer Help Me?
The constitution guarantees United State citizens certain rights. If you are, therefore, arrested for driving under the influence in Indiana, then the state should protect your rights. The state representatives may, however, infringe upon your rights to secure your conviction.
Here is how a Greenwood DUI defense attorney can help you:
Avoid Jail Time
If you are arrested for driving under the influence of an intoxicating substance, then you may spend months or even years in jail. If you have prior criminal charges, you are more likely to spend several years in jail. Your lawyer will help you avoid jail time. If you cannot, however, avoid jail time, your lawyer may work hard to reduce your sentence.
DUI Investigation
A police officer may stop your car or even arrest you without probable cause, or the officer may fail to follow the proper protocol while performing chemical tests. Your lawyer will conduct a proper DUI investigation to ensure the police officer followed the proper protocol and adhered to the strict rules.
If the police officer did not follow the proper protocol in collecting evidence, then the evidence will not be used against you. If the prosecution does not have to use the evidence, then they may dismiss your DUI case.
Plea Bargains
In some cases, it is in your best interest to accept a plea bargain. If you decide to accept a plea bargain, then you need a good DUI defense attorney to negotiate with the police officers and the prosecutor. Your lawyer will ensure you know about the potential plea bargains. You can accept a plea bargain to reduce the impact of a DUI charge on your life, career, and even finances.
Special Driving Privileges
If you are facing DUI charges, the state may suspend your driver’s license. Therefore, you may not drive your vehicle for several months or even years. Your lawyer will check if you qualify for specialized driving privileges. If you qualify for special driving privileges, you will be able to drive yourself to medical appointments, work, court hearings, and even school.
Contact DUI Lawyer Indianapolis Today
A DUI charge can ruin your reputation and completely change your life. You can pay huge fines, spend several years in jail, lose your driving privileges for an indefinite period of time, and even lose your job. Therefore, a DUI charge can leave your family with financial stress. It is difficult to manage financial stress during trying times.
If you are facing DUI charges, we highly encourage you to seek the help of a skilled and experienced Greenwood DUI defense attorney. Your lawyer may help you avoid jail, get a better plea bargain, protect your rights, and reduce your financial stress.
If you are looking for the best DUI defense lawyers in Greenwood, IN, you should contact us at DUI Lawyer Indianapolis at 317-517-9002. We are committed to excellence and understand the law. We will use our invaluable resources to help you beat a DUI charge. We will explain your legal options and help you craft the best possible defense for your DUI charge. Book your FREE initial consultation today.
