Tag Archives: DUI criminal charges

How to Minimize Penalties Following a DUI Arrest

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Getting arrested for drunk driving can be a life-changing experience. Not only do you have to deal with the legal consequences, but also the social stigma that comes along with it. However, even if you’ve been charged with a DUI offense, there are still ways to minimize penalties and avoid long-term consequences. With the help of an experienced DUI lawyer who understands your case and knows all of your options, you may be able to reduce or dismiss your charges altogether.

In this blog post, we will discuss how hiring an attorney can help minimize penalties following a DUI arrest and how they can build a strong defense on your behalf.

Call 317-636-7514 to Speak With a DUI Defense Attorney in Indianapolis IN
Call 317-636-7514 to Speak With a DUI Defense Attorney in Indianapolis IN

Hire a DUI Lawyer to Avoid the Maximum Penalties for Drunk Driving

The first step you should take after a DUI arrest is to hire an experienced drunk driving lawyer. Your attorney will be able to review your case and advise you on the best course of action for your particular situation. A knowledgeable DUI attorney has specific knowledge about drunk driving laws and can challenge elements of the prosecution’s argument from both legal and technical perspectives. In some cases, they may even be able to contest scientific evidence or witness testimony in order to reduce charges or dismiss them completely.

Your attorney will also have insight into how prosecutors approach DUI cases, which can help them negotiate with the court in order to obtain lesser sentences or reduced fines when possible. In addition, they can work with you to create a compelling defense strategy that includes mitigation evidence, such as a prior history of good deeds or extenuating circumstances that may have contributed to the offense.

Furthermore, your drunk driving lawyer can provide guidance on how to best prepare for court and any other administrative proceedings related to your case. This includes helping you understand the specific laws of your state and advising you on how to speak respectfully during appearances and hearings. They will also assist in developing an effective sentencing plan with authorities and work with you to craft a clear message that shows remorse if necessary.

Indiana Penalties for DUI Conviction

Drunk driving is a serious offense that comes with severe consequences in Indiana. If you are caught driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or more, you will be charged with operating while intoxicated (OWI). The penalties for a first-time conviction can include license suspension for up to two years, fines of up to $5,000, and up to one year in jail.

For subsequent convictions, the penalties can become even more severe, including longer jail sentences and higher fines. In addition to legal consequences, drunk driving can also have personal and social repercussions, including higher insurance rates, strained relationships, and even loss of employment. It’s important to remember that one poor decision can potentially affect the rest of your life, and the lives of those around you.

Conclusion

By hiring an experienced DUI defense attorney, you are taking action towards minimizing DUI penalties that come with a drunk driving arrest. A knowledgeable OWI lawyer can help build a strong defense on your behalf by challenging evidence presented by prosecutors at each step in the process. They can also provide guidance and advice to ensure that you are fully prepared for court proceedings and sentencing hearings. With the right legal representation, you may be able to reduce or dismiss your charges altogether, avoiding long-term consequences associated with a DUI conviction.

It is essential to work with an experienced DUI lawyer directly after your drunk driving arrest. Contact Attorney David E. Lewis at 317-636-7514 to speak with a seasoned DUI defense lawyer in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our law firm will get you the best possible outcome to your drunk driving case!

Related Posts:

The Potential Consequences of a DUI Arrest in Indiana
Have You Been Charged With Felony Drunk Driving in Indiana?
Do Not Fall for These OWI Arrest Myths

When You Might Go to Jail for a DUI

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Drunk driving and intoxicated driving charges are very serious, and the law uses such cases to set an example. But not all drunk driving convictions result with a jail sentence. In fact, with a good Indiana criminal defense lawyer representing your case, it is more likely that you will be ordered to alternative penalties in lieu of jail time. However, there are still plenty of DUI cases that do end up with a person spending some time in jail, which means it could happen to you if the circumstances are right. If you are ordered to serve time in jail or prison, the length of time served will depend on various factors; the same factors that out you in jail to begin with.

Continue reading to learn what these factors are so that you can better understand when a DUI arrest might send you to jail in Indiana.

Indianapolis DUI Defense Lawyer 317-636-7514
Indianapolis DUI Defense Lawyer 317-636-7514

What is a DUI?

There are many acronyms to describe driving a motorized vehicle under the influence of alcohol or controlled substance. These acronyms include “DUI”, which stands for “driving under the influence”, “DWI”, which means driving while intoxicated”, and “OWI”, which means “operating while intoxicated.” The important thing to know about these three acronyms is that they all represent the same criminal charge: operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. This includes wine, beer, liquor, street drugs, and controlled drugs like prescription medication.

DUI Enhancements

The penalties and laws surrounding such charges vary from state to state, as do the possible enhancements that can increase the severity of the charges. Enhancements are factors and circumstances of a DUI that increase the severity of the crime. Potential enhancements depend on several factors, but the most common types of enhancements to drunk driving charges include operating a motor vehicle with a BAC of 0.15% or higher, drunk driving with a minor as a passenger, drunk driving that causes another person bodily injury,  and drunk driving that causes the death of another person. These enhancements will lead to a person serving time in jail.

Going to Jail for a DUI

When DUI charges reach the felony level, there is mandatory jail time involved. You might also go to jail or prison for a DUI if you are a repeat offender, and have added enhancements to your case, like the ones mentioned above. This would be known as an aggravated DUI. Aggravated DUI charges are the same thing as Felony DUI charges, which is the term used in Indiana. Additional aggravated DUI offenses include DUI in a school zone, operating a school bus under the influence of drugs or alcohol, driving intoxicated without a valid license, having multiple convictions within a short time frame, and more. An aggravated DUI conviction will result in some jail time in almost all cases.

In Indiana, DUI-related car accidents are labeled as Felony DUI charges, and come with severe penalties. So, if you cause bodily harm to another person, or worse, kill someone as a result of your intoxicated driving, you will spend a lengthy amount of time in jail, and quite possibly, prison. When DUI accidents end with fatalities, the charges increase to DUI manslaughter. Although the fatalities in these cases are unintentional, the charge still come with very severe penalties in Indiana. DUI manslaughter is a Level 5 Felony, which is a very serious charge.

Current Indiana DUI Jail Sentence Schedules for Basic Convictions:

Class C Misdemeanor – Up to 60 Days in Jail
Class A Misdemeanor – Up to One Year in Jail
Level 6 Felony – Six to 30 Months in Prison
Level 5 Felony – One to Six Years in Prison
Level 4 Felony – Two to 12 Years in Prison

Contact an Indianapolis DUI Lawyer Today

Call 317-636-7514 to schedule a consultation with aggressive Indianapolis DUI defense lawyer, David E. Lewis. He will stop at nothing to protect your rights and preserve your freedoms. With decades of hands-on experience, you can trust Attorney David E. Lewis to build you a strong and impactful defense against your Indiana drunk driving charges. Call 317-636-7514 to schedule a free initial consultation for Indianapolis criminal defense, today.

Indianapolis Criminal Defense 317-636-7514
Schedule a Free Consultation Today!

Call Attorney David E. Lewis for Aggressive DUI Criminal Defense You Can Afford

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A DUI conviction doesn’t have to ruin your life. Choose a seasoned criminal lawyer to fight for your rights and preserve your freedoms by building you an aggressive and impactful defense against your alleged drunk driving charges. Choose Attorney David E. Lewis, today.

Indianapolis DUI Lawyer 317-636-7514

Indianapolis DUI Lawyer 317-636-7514

DUI Charges Call For Serious Representation

There’s not just one DUI crime in Indiana. There are actually several types of DUI charges a person can face; none of which are penalized the same way. Furthermore, “driving under the influence” doesn’t just pertain to alcohol; it also describes controlled substances or a combination of substances that cause a person to be intoxicated. No matter which DUI charge you are arrested for, if convicted, they can all have serious effects on your life if you do not choose qualified and aggressive private legal counsel. T

rust experienced DWI lawyer, David. E. Lewis, to craft an impactful and strong defense on your behalf, and relieve you of all the stress and worry that comes with a DUI charge. He can secure your constitutional rights and fight for a sentence that preserves employment, limits unjust license suspensions, and caters to the unique needs of your home and family circumstances.

Avoid Max Penalties for DUI Convictions

If convicted of a DUI in Indiana, you could be facing a wide range of penalties based on the specifics of your case. Standard consequences often include jail time, license suspension, probation, fines, and a permanent mark on your criminal record. But there are additional penalties defendants can as well depending on their individual circumstances and criminal history. These include substance abuse education courses, mandatory attendance at victim impact panels, routine urine tests, ankle monitors, ignition interlock devices, and more.

Indiana is an Implied Consent State

In Indiana, every driver that is legally licensed automatically agrees to a legal obligation called “implied consent.” This means licensed drivers agree to surrender to alcohol testing by a law enforcement officer if requested. Refusal to submit to alcohol testing is an offense that results in an automatic 1 year drivers’ license suspension, effective immediately at the time of arrest, and then will also subject them to SR22 high risk auto insurance for 3 years following the arrest. This happens whether a person is guilty or not of intoxicated driving.

Indianapolis DUI Defense

David E. Lewis Attorney at Law

David E. Lewis Attorney at Law 317-636-7514

Here at The Law Office of David E. Lewis, we understand just how upsetting a DUI charge can be for a person and their family. That is why we are firmly committed to making our clients our top-priority, guiding them through this difficult time with care and compassion. We never back down when it comes to fighting our client’s DUI charges, because we are determined to get them the fairest results no matter how much time and effort it takes.

Furthermore, we don’t just concentrate on reducing or dismissing our clients’ charges, we also make available the necessary resources that will help rebuild their lives and their health after a drunk driving conviction. Call 317-636-7514 to schedule a free initial consultation to discuss your DUI criminal charges, today.