Depending on case circumstances, anyone charged with a DUI may also face any combination of the following:
Probation
Probation is a common penalty for DUI offenses in Indiana. It is a set time period, whose length is dependent to the crimes committed. Probation comes with a stringent set of rules that must be followed, or a person will be in violation of their court orders and face jail time. Such rules include not breaking the law, refraining from the use of drugs and alcohol, and not leaving the state. Probation for DUI convictions is generally anywhere from 1 to 3 years, depending on the circumstances of a case.
Community Service
A court may also order community service as a penance for a DUI conviction. For
misdemeanor DUI offenses, community service can be ordered in place of jail time. It is assigned in increments of hours, generally between 40 and 180 hours, but can exceed 350 hours for felony DUI convictions. A person must complete their court-ordered community service before their probation period is over. If not, they are in violation and face jail time or additional penalties. Community service options include charity work, highway clean up, city graffiti painting, working with underprivileged youth, volunteer work at a hospital, daycare, or vet clinic, and more.
Hardship License
When a person is convicted of a DUI, their license is suspended for at least 3 months, and up to 3 years. However, after 3 months, they may have the option to file for a “hardship license”, or probationary license, which allows them to only drive to and from work and school. A skilled DUI attorney can get you a hardship license without fail.
SR22 Auto Insurance
Another consequence of a DUI conviction is almost always the need for SR22 auto insurance. This is high risk auto insurance policies that convicted drivers must have for 3 years following an arrest. It is expensive and hard to find, but a skilled DUI lawyer can help you get the insurance you need.
Points on Driving Record
A first-time DUI conviction will land a person 8 points on their driving record. More serious DUI convictions will add even more points to a person’s driving record. After so many points, driving privileges become restricted, suspended, or revoked. In other cases, too many points on a driving record will result in mandatory drivers’ education classes to reinstate licensed or return it to good-standing.
Ignition Interlock Device (IID)
For multiple DUI convictions, courts may order an ignition interlock device to be installed in a person’s primary vehicle after their driving privileges are reinstating. This device is the size of a cell phone and is installed in the vehicle’s engine. It locks the ignition, preventing the vehicle from starting until the device is positively activated. The driver must breathe into the device, much like a breathalyzer, to unlock the device and start the engine. But in order to start the engine, the person must not have a blood alcohol level higher than 0.04% in their system. This prevents habitual offenders from driving under the influence of alcohol. If a driver blows over a 0.04%, the device records it and prints it out to authorities. It can be considered a violation of probation, which leads to jail time and more.
Victim Impact Panels
Courts are likely to assign mandatory attendance to Victim Impact Panels, whether a first offense DUI or not. This is meant to educate drivers on the real dangers and long-term effects associated with intoxicated driving. Real families and victims share their drunk driving accident stories. For first time offenses, courts usually assign just one victim impact panel attending. Mothers Against Drunk Driving (see bottom of page) is well-known for their Victim Impact Panels in Indiana, and come highly recommended for anyone court-ordered to attend a program.
Drug / Alcohol Education
Courts are also likely to order some form of mandatory drug and alcohol education classes or courses that must be completed before a person can reinstate their drivers’ license. They are often a part of an alternative sentencing agreement in place of jail time or other harsher penalties. These courses are commonly referred to as “DUI school” or “AEP”, which stands for alcohol education programs.
Treatment Centers / Rehab
Depending on a person’s offense and extent of substance abuse, a court may agree to a rehabilitation center or treatment program as an alternative to jail time. Although additional exemplary penalties would still apply, a person can avoid going to jail and at the same time, get proper help for their addiction.
