DUI Lawyer Near Angola

Indiana takes DUIs very seriously. You could be facing hefty fines, the suspension of your license, or even jail time. If someone was hurt or killed in an accident caused while you were under the influence, you will almost certainly be facing time in state prison. You do, however, have rights, and those rights are safeguarded by criminal defense attorneys who ensure you are not railroaded by flimsy evidence or a speculative prosecution. The Angola DUI lawyers at The Bellinger Law Office can help safeguard those rights.

DUI / OWI / DWI Laws in Indiana

In Indiana, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is called OWI or “operating while intoxicated.” OWI laws prohibit motorists from:

• Operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher
• Operating a vehicle while under the influence of an illegal drug
• Operating a vehicle under the influence of a drug you have a prescription for but still impairs your driving

If you are under the age of 21, there is a zero-tolerance policy for operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol. If you get caught with a BAC of .02 or greater, you face automatic penalties. The limit for drivers under the age of 21, .02, is also the margin of error for standard roadside breathalyzer tests.

Penalties for OWI Convictions in Indiana

Aside from causing your insurance premiums to skyrocket, OWI convictions have for classes of penalties associated with convictions. These include fines, jail time, administrative penalties, and the installation of an IID (ignition interlock device) that requires you to pass a breathalyzer each time you start your car. 

On top of these, there are several aggravating factors that can escalate the severity of the charge. Having a BAC of .15 or higher will lead to stricter consequences as will having multiple OWIs over a five-year period. If you are caught driving under the influence with minor children in the car, the penalty can escalate to a class-6 felony. If someone is injured and the driver who caused the accident has an OWI on their record in the last five years, they can also be charged with a class-6 felony. Class-6 felonies carry a six-month to two-year prison sentence.

In addition to criminal penalties, you can also face administrative penalties. Your license may be suspended or revoked for an extended period of time or you may be required to have an IID installed on your vehicle at your own expense. 

An Angola DUI Attorney can Help

If you have been arrested and charged with OWI, do not plead guilty until you have spoken to an attorney. We may be able to get the charges reduced, dismissed, or dropped. Call The Bellinger Law Office today for more information.