Should I Plead Guilty to My DUI Charge?

Anyone facing a pending drunk driving charge is asking themselves what to do next. One of the most common questions criminal defense lawyers hear from defendants charged with a DUI has to do with pleading. Clients want to know whether or not they should plead guilty for their alleged criminal charge.

If this sounds like your current legal situation, continue reading to learn what you need to know about pleading guilty to an intoxicated driving charge in Indiana.

Indianapolis Drunk Driving Attorney 317-636-7514
Indianapolis Drunk Driving Attorney 317-636-7514

In a DUI case, a defendant is likely to receive a guilty conviction when prima facie evidence proves they were operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or some other illegal or controlled substance. In the case of alcohol, if a driver’s blood alcohol content (BAC) is 0.08 or higher, they are in violation of the intoxicated driving laws. If a defendant has evidence that their BAC 0.08, there could be a chance that their charges could be argued, but it is still rare. Most drunk driving charges end with some form of a guilty verdict.  

Pleading Guilty or Not Guilty

It is true that pleading “guilty” to a DWI charge will instantly shorten the time frame of your personal legal process. However, pleading guilty does mean that you are admitting fault, and surrendering yourself to a list of possible penalties, such as fines, probation, suspended license, community service, rehabilitation, and even jail time. For this reason, it is important to fully understand your criminal charges, and the consequences you face if found guilty, before making a decision to plea.

On the other hand, a defendant could also decide to plead “not guilty”, to their DUI charges. In this case, they can expect a much longer legal process, which in turn means higher legal fees. If you plan to plead “not guilty” to your DUI charges, understand that fighting your charges could be moot in the end, since it is more likely that you will be found guilty if the evidence shows you were indeed legally intoxicated while operating a motor vehicle.

Reduced Charges

It is also true that most (not all) DUI defendants will have their charged reduced in some way or another, especially those who have private legal representation rather than a public defender. But even those who are granted lesser charges will still be found guilty and face the list of possible penalties mentioned before. This is where plea deals come in handy. Agreeing to a plea deal can eliminate jail time and avoid the maximum charges for a DUI crime.

So what does a defendant do? Should they plead “guilty” or “not guilty” to their DUI charges?

The answer to this question is complex. It starts with personal preference. But before personal preference can influence your decision, it is vital that you learn the full extent of your legal charges and their maximum penalties, as well as, the potential outcomes of each route. In order to accomplish this, you must consult with a licensed and experienced Indianapolis criminal defense lawyer who can explain everything you need to know in a language you can clearly understand.

Contact the Law Office of David. E. Lewis

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

Call 317-636-7514 to schedule a free initial consultation with aggressive Indiana criminal defense attorney, David E. Lewis, who 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 criminal charges.

How to Avoid a DUI After Drinking Craft Beer

Breweries are a popular trend that is continuing to expand all across the city and state. In fact, there are more than 160 craft beer breweries here in Indianapolis alone! If you plan on enjoying some specially-crafted beers on your next night out, there are some important considerations you need to know first.

Continue reading to learn why craft beers pose a certain danger on the road, and what you can do to avoid such trouble in the future.

Indianapolis Drunk Driving Attorney 317-636-7514

Indianapolis Drunk Driving Attorney 317-636-7514

Craft vs. Draft

Back in the day, most people drank draft beers, such as Coors™ or Budweiser™, since those were the primary options available on tap at the local bars. But now, beer-drinking patrons have the option of choosing from a vast selection of local breweries, whose owners craft their own unique styles of beer. As for comparing drafts to crafts, the major differences are fermentation style, taste, and price. However, one critical difference that is commonly overlooked is alcohol content. This happens to also play a major role in terms of drunk driving.

Craft Beers and Alcohol By Volume

Traditional draft beers, like Budweiser™ and Miller Light™, have a much lower Alcohol By Volume (ABV) content than the average craft beer. Draft beers range between 4 and 6 percent alcohol content, whereas craft beers can range between 7 and 18 percent alcohol content. So what does this mean for your next night out? It means that you should not drive home after consuming more than 1 craft beer.

For example, the Four Day Ray Brewery in Fishers offers a craft beer on tap called FALA Scotch Ale, which has an ABV of 7.8% per pint. They offer another called Grapefruit Track Jumper IPA India Pale Ale, which has an ABV of 6.8% per pint. Similarly, Mashcraft Brewing in Greenwood carries a Double IPA called 18th Street Overlords Revenge that has an ABV of 8% per pint.

Avoiding DUI’s

If you are a craft beer drinker, you should understand that the risk of being arrested on a drunk driving charge is much higher because they will get you more drunk than traditional beers on tap. For instance, the popular “1 drink per hour” rule would not work the same with craft beers as it would with domestic beers. One or two domestic beers might keep you within the legal limits to drive, but the same amount of craft beers will likely render you intoxicated under state law.

In Indiana, a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of 0.08% or more is strictly illegal. If you are pulled over by police, and your breathalyzer test reads more than 0.08 percent, you will be arrested on drunk driving charges. To avoid a DUI, be sure to inquire about ABV’s and keep track of how much you drink. Also, imagine that for each craft beer you drink, it is equal to two or three. When in doubt, even just a little, call a ride.

***In Indiana, a criminal defense attorney has only 10 days to save your driving privileges. So if you are facing DUI charges from a recent arrest, you need to get in touch with a licensed crime lawyer ASAP!

An Indianapolis DUI Lawyer You Can Trust

David E. Lewis Attorney at Law

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

Call Attorney David E. Lewis at 317-636-7514 for aggressive DUI criminal defense in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our law firm offers free initial consultations to discuss the best strategies of defense for your case. Avoid the maximum penalties for your misdemeanor criminal charges by calling David E. Lewis, Attorney at Law, today!

You Have Only 10 Days to Save Your Driving Privileges After a DUI Arrest

In Indiana, a criminal defense attorney has only 10 days to save your driving privileges. So if you are facing DUI charges from a recent arrest, you need to get in touch with a licensed crime lawyer ASAP! You may still have a chance at maintaining a reliable and consistent means of transportation.

Indianapolis Drunk Driving Attorney 317-636-7514

Indianapolis Drunk Driving Attorney 317-636-7514

Were you recently arrested for a drink driving charge?

If you didn’t refuse a chemical test, and it hasn’t been 10 days since the arrest, you may qualify to have your driving privileges saved from suspension! What was once called a “hardship” or “probationary” license is now referred to a “specialized driving privileges” (SDP) in Indiana. It is important to contact Attorney David E. Lewis as soon as possible following an OWI charge to see if you have a chance at being granted specialized driving privileges.

Depending on several factors, a judge can choose to grant a wide spectrum of driving authorizations for an offender. They may only allow a person to drive to and from school or work, or simply allow offenders to drive during specified times of the day. They may also assign an ignition interlock device on their vehicle to prevent future intoxicated driving if they are a habitual offender.

If you want to avoid jail or have your charges dropped or reduced, you need to hire a criminal lawyer. You can opt for a public defender, but you have a stronger chance at dismissing criminal charges or entering into alternative sentencing agreements by using private defense.

Attorney David E. Lewis Can Help You

Attorney David E. Lewis can be reached at his office during regular business hours, Monday through Friday. He offers a wide range of criminal defense, from DUIs and drug charges, to felonies, expungements, and more. You can count on his aggressive representation to preserve your rights and protect your freedoms.

Call TODAY!

David E. Lewis Attorney at Law

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

If you do not already have a licensed Indianapolis criminal defense lawyer working on your DUI defense, you need one right away. Contact David E. Lewis, Attorney at Law, at 317-636-7514 to start building a strong and impactful defense against your criminal charges so that you have a chance at avoiding the maximum penalties for your suspected crimes. Our law firm offers free initial consultations, so there is no out-of-pocket obligations to you.

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

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.

Can College Students Face Academic Consequences for DUI Charges?

Criminal Defense Attorney 317-636-7514

Criminal Defense Attorney 317-636-7514

When a regular person is pulled over and arrested on a drunk driving charge, they are likely to face a long list of criminal and civil penalties. These penalties commonly include a generous combination of the following reprimands: fines, court costs, community service, probation, drug screening, victim impact panels, ignition interlock devices, ankle monitors, diversion programs, substance abuse rehabilitation, and more.

However, if a college student is arrested for drunk driving, they are likely to face additional consequences. Not only will they face criminal and civil penalties, they are at risk of being penalized academically as well. Continue reading to learn which consequences a college student may face after being arrested on a DUI charge.

Academic Penalties for Drunk Driving Charges

The academic penalties for college students arrested on drunk driving charges vary among universities, with consequences ranging in severity from non-existent to major. Some colleges do not punish at all for criminal charges acquired inside or outside of campus, while others only penalize students if their DUI took place on campus grounds. But there are also handfuls of colleges that do reprimand students for drunk driving convictions. Many of these universities require students to be judged at an academic court hearing first, at which their penalties will be decided and handed down. Such penalties commonly include one or more of the following:

✏ Academic Probation
✏ Suspension
✏ Drug Counseling
✏ Campus Community Service
✏ Alcohol Education Classes
✏ Diversion Programs
✏ Fines
✏ Expulsion

Penalties That Can Go Beyond College

Criminal charges of any kind can also have life-long consequences for college students in terms of future and career as well. Depending on the type and severity of the crime, a student’s ability to obtain a certain professional licenses can be impacted or even revoked. Careers such as teaching, certified education, law enforcement, health care professionals, legal professionals, and more could be impossible or difficult to achieve with a criminal record. For this reason, it is critical to retain private legal representation to defend your criminal charges.

Defense for Academic Penalties

If you are a college student that was arrested for a DUI, it is important to have an experienced criminal defense lawyer at your academic hearing to help you avoid the maximum penalties. If you know your university reprimands students for criminal convictions, namely drunk driving, it is important to retain legal counsel as soon as possible so your criminal lawyer has time to build you a strong and impactful defense before your academic court hearing.

Indianapolis Criminal Defense Lawyer

David E. Lewis Attorney at Law

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

Call David E. Lewis, Attorney at Law, at 317-636-7514 if you are facing DUI charges in Indianapolis, Indiana. He will work around the clock, using every resource in his power, to build you the strongest defense against you pending criminal charges. Our law firm offers free initial consultations to discuss your drunk driving charges and the best strategies for defense. Call us at 317-636-7514 to schedule an appointment with an Indianapolis DUI lawyer you can trust.