Understand Indiana DUI Law and hire an experienced Indiana DUI attorney

Drunk driving or DUI (Driving Under Influence) can have serous consequences if you are caught or arrested with charges and penalties that can bear future consequences on your job, freedom and family. In Indiana, it is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol level of 0.08% or more. This page gives a basic overview of the DUI laws in Indiana but it is by no means comparable to the wealth of knowledge, guidance and help that can be provided to you by an experienced Indiana DUI lawyer. That is why, we strongly recommend you to hire a DUI attorney in the event of an arrest based on DUI in Indiana. Especially, if you are not familiar with law, criminal and DUI law and court proceedings, then you will definitely require professional help through your court proceedings. A good DUI lawyer can greatly help you to understand the complexities of your case and help build your strategy with you, he or she can help explain all the legal terms to you and make important decision on your behalf.

Indiana DUI penalties

In Indiana, subsequent DUI offenses or those involving bodily harm or murder are considered felonies by law; these felonies result in loss of driving privileges. The license suspension in Indiana for a DUI can range from 90 days up to 5 years depending on the type of offense committed. If you have been tested with Blood Alcohol Content 0.08 or higher then your driver's license will be suspended for 180 days or more. There is also mandatory jail time on second convictions and those hereafter, with their time period once again depending on the type of offense committed.

First time DUI Offenders

In Indiana, first time offenders are usually not charged with penalties, provided they complete treatment program and alcohol evaluation. Charges for first time offenders after these tests are dismissed. Alcohol evaluation is mandatory for first time offenders, and the treatment required by you will be determined on the basis of the results of your test. Also, you have to submit any type of blood, urine or chemical test required and your refusal to do so can result in license suspension of one year.

Under a DUI offense, you may also be required to drive vehicles with ignition interlock installed in them; ignition interlock prevents you from driving the vehicle if you have any alcohol in your body system. DUI penalties for minors (under 21 years of age) are similar to those of first time offenders. Under 21 are considered DUI offenders if they are caught with any level of alcohol in their body system and penalties for DUI offenders with BAC greater than 0.02% but less than 0.08% are similar to those of first time offenders but your license maybe suspended for a year instead of 180 days.

To fully understand the penalties associated with an Indiana DUI charge, it is strongly recommended that you consult with an Indiana DUI lawyer that you are most comfortable with and who can knowledgeably represent you throughout your trial and court proceedings.  You can find an Indiana drunk driving attorney by typing in the city of your arrest above or call our 24 hour DUI hotline

Additional Resources

• Indiana Department of Motor Vehicle
• Indiana State Bar Association