What You Need to Know About Felony DUI Arrests in Indiana

Posted on June 5, 2023 by admin

Drinking and driving, or driving under the influence (DUI), is a serious offense in the state of Indiana, and if you are arrested for it, you could face hefty fines or even jail time. But if your DUI charge is upgraded to a felony, then the consequences can be much more severe. A felony DUI conviction can have long-lasting effects on your life, including job loss, difficulty finding housing or loans, and even prison time. It’s important to understand what makes a DUI charge become a felony so that you know how to protect yourself from these harsh penalties.

In this blog, we will discuss the circumstances under which an individual may face felony charges for driving under the influence in Indiana and what steps to take after being charged with such an offense.

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What a Felony DUI Arrest in Indiana Might Mean for Offenders

Indiana considers a drunk driving offense to be a felony if the accused has three or more prior convictions within the past 10 years. If this is your first offense, you will likely face misdemeanor charges and not have to worry about felony repercussions. However, it’s important to note that any subsequent conviction could result in harsher penalties. Furthermore, if you are convicted of a DUI crime while operating a commercial vehicle, you may also be charged with a felony.

Hire a Drunk Driving Lawyer

If you are facing felony drunk driving charges in Indiana, it’s essential that you get an experienced criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible. An Indianapolis DUI lawyer can help you understand your rights and ensure that you receive the best possible outcome for your case. Your attorney can also provide guidance on how to proceed with mitigating factors that could help reduce your sentence, such as participating in rehab or taking a defensive driving course.

How the Law Views Repeat Offenses for DUI in Indiana

DUI laws in Indiana take repeat offenses seriously, with harsher penalties for those who have been arrested for multiple drunk driving crimes. Habitual offenders may face high fines, lengthy jail sentences, and suspension or revocation of their driver’s license. In addition, any prior DUI arrests can be used to increase a person’s sentence if they are found guilty of another intoxicated driving offense.

In Indiana, drivers may receive enhanced punishment based on the number of prior DUI convictions on their record. For example, someone convicted of a second drunk driving offense within 5 years must serve at least 5 days in jail and may be fined up to $10,000. A third or subsequent conviction in the same time period carries even tougher penalties, such as 10-30 days in jail and fines up to $10,000. The court also has the option to order additional sanctions that can include longer probation periods and mandatory alcohol education courses.

Furthermore, some counties may have local ordinances which carry their own separate punishments for repeat DUI offenders which can include fines ranging from $500 to $2,500, additional community service hours beyond what is required by the state laws and/or installation of an ignition interlock device. Ignition interlock devices (IID) require drivers to blow into a breathalyzer before starting the vehicle; if the device detects alcohol above a predetermined level, then it will prevent the car from being started. Indiana state law also requires IID installation for certain repeat offenders as part of any probation agreement following a conviction for driving under the influence (DUI).

In short, it is important to understand that the consequences associated with multiple drunk driving arrests in Indiana can be severe. It is recommended that anyone charged with driving under the influence seek legal counsel from an experienced criminal defense attorney to ensure they are aware of all possible penalties and available options for defending against these charges.

In Summary

Overall, it’s important to understand what constitutes a felony drunk driving charge in Indiana so that you can be prepared if you are ever charged with one. A felony conviction can have serious implications for your future, so make sure to contact a qualified DUI lawyer right away if you find yourself facing felony charges. With the right representation and understanding of the law, there is hope for a favorable outcome and protection from life-altering penalties.

After being arrested for drunk driving, it’s crucial to work with an experienced DUI lawyer right away. 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!

8 Ways You Can Be Charged With Intoxicated Driving

Posted on May 4, 2022 by admin

Intoxicated driving charges are very serious, and the law is designed to use such cases as a means to set an example for the rest of the public. The laws surrounding OWI charges vary from state to state, as do the possible enhancements that can increase the severity of the charges. There are several ways you can be charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated.

Continue below to learn the 8 types of DUI charges, what they mean, and how you can beat them with skilled legal representation.

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Types of OWI Enhancements

Potential OWI enhancements depend on several factors, but the most common types of enhancements to drunk driving charges include operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (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.

Aggravated DUI

An aggravated DUI is any average DUI charge, but with enhancements. See enhancement examples above. 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.

Drugged Driving (DUID)

Alcohol is not the only substance that can lead to a DUI arrest. Operating a vehicle while under the influence of Schedule I or Schedule II drugs, whether legal or illegal, can lead to a DUID charge in Indiana, which stands for “driving under the influence of drugs.” A police officer can legally arrest you for a DUID charge simply based on a reasonable suspicion that such drugs are in your system.

DUI Accidents

Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is a serious crime in itself; but couple it with an accident and the charges get worse. In Indiana, DUI-related accidents are labeled as Felony DUI charges, and come with severe penalties.

DUI Manslaughter

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.

Felony DUI

First-offense DUI charges are generally misdemeanors. But with enhancements or previous convictions, DUI charges turn into a felony very fast. Such factors include multiple convictions, fatalities, presence of children, bodily harm, property damage, and more. With the help of a tough defense lawyer, felony DUI charges can sometimes be reduced to lower felonies or misdemeanors.

Misdemeanor DUI

A typical DUI charge in Indiana is a misdemeanor crime, unless there are enhancements involved, or a person has prior DUI convictions within a certain time frame (usually 5 to 10 years). First time DUI offenses are Class C misdemeanors, but with BAC levels higher than 0.15%, they jump to Class A misdemeanors. With the help of a tough defense lawyer, Level 6 felony DUI’s can often times be reduced to DUI misdemeanors.

Property Damage DUI

When a DUI accident ends with property damages, the penalties and fines increase dramatically. A person can expect longer jail time, harsher sentencing agreements, and extreme fines. And although these are considered aggravated DUI’s, they are not always charged as felonies. However, if property damages are extensive, the charge is likely to increase to a felony.

Underage DUI

Indiana has a “per se” stance on underage drinking and driving. This means there is a zero-tolerance rule for underage drinking. Any person under the age of 21, the national legal drinking age, is forbidden to consume or purchase alcoholic beverages. Underage drinking is a crime in itself, but combined with driving and DUI charges, underage drinkers face serious penalties. Standard penalties include license suspension, jail time, probation, hefty fines, community service, and diversion programs.

Are you looking for criminal defense attorney who can help you reduce your OWI criminal charges in Indiana? Contact Attorney David E. Lewis at 317-636-7514 to speak with a seasoned criminal defense lawyer about your Indiana DUI charges. Our legal team can help you obtain the best possible outcome to your criminal matters!

What to Do if You are Charged With a DUI Felony in Indianapolis

Posted on March 19, 2021 by admin

The Law Office of David E. Lewis provides aggressive criminal defense for felony drunk driving charges in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our reputable criminal defense law firm retains the resources, skills, experience, and determination to reduce or dismiss your Indianapolis DUI charges! Continue below to learn more about the possible penalties for felony DUI convictions in Indiana, and what you can do to ensure your rights are protected and your freedoms are preserved after a serious drunk driving arrest.

Indianapolis Felony DUI Lawyer 317-636-7514

Possible Penalties for a Felony DUI in Indiana

Felony drunk driving charges are very serious offenses in Indiana. Not only does a defendant face time in jail, but they may also lose driving privileges, child custody, student aid benefits, employment, job promotion, rental housing, and much more. For these reasons alone, it is critical to have the leadership and expertise of a skilled criminal lawyer on your team following a DUI felony arrest in order to protect your rights and preserve your freedoms. A skilled criminal defense attorney like David E. Lewis will prevent your constitutional rights from being violated throughout the adjudication of your drunk driving case.

Criminal Defense for Multiple DUI Arrests

Second and third DUI offenses, as well as multiple DUI offenses, are all classified at various Levels of Felonies in Indiana. But with the help of Attorney David E. Lewis, you have a much stronger shot at getting your charges reduced, or entering into an alternative sentencing agreement. Don’t risk your future and quality of life by hiring any felony DUI attorney. Trust only David E. Lewis, Attorney at Law, to fight for your rights and protect you from over-penalization.

Breathalyzers and Field Sobriety Testing

The most important evidence collected by law enforcement at the time of a DUI arrest is a driver’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC). In Indiana, the legal limit for blood alcohol is 0.07 percent. This means anyone caught driving with a 0.08% BAC is subject to DUI charges and subsequent penalties. When you are facing DUI charges in Indiana, David E. Lewis, Attorney at Law, can build you a tough defense to get you the best possible outcome in court. He understands the urgency behind preserving driving privileges, employment, and more.

Are you in need of aggressive and skilled DUI defense in Indianapolis, Indiana? Contact David E. Lewis, Attorney at Law, at 317-636-7514 to schedule a free consultation and learn more about your DUI felony, today. We represent all types of DUI’s in Indiana.

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Advice for Parents Whose Kids Drive Drunk
What You Should Do if You are Pulled Over for a DUI
When You Might Go to Jail for a DUI

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