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DUI/OWI Lawyers in Noblesville

If you were pulled over for suspicion of driving while intoxicated in Indiana, then your future livelihood could be at stake. A conviction could mean the lengthy removal of your driving privileges, which could make it difficult to keep a job, go to school, maintain relationships, complete daily errands, and much more. Act quickly to protect yourself from the harsh penalties that the state will want to use against you.

Let our Noblesville DUI/OWI attorneys from The Criminal Defense Team stand up for you. We can fight in and out of court to shield you from unjust convictions and to keep your driver’s license intact. Even if you have never been convicted of an OWI before, you should still at least talk to us during an initial consultation to see if hiring a defense lawyer is the right decision.

For more information, dial (317) 687-8326 at any time.

What is OWI & DUI?

In Indiana, driving while intoxicated can result in an operating while intoxicated or OWI charge. In many other states, the crime is called driving under the influence or DUI. Although Indiana uses OWI laws, most people still call it DUI in day-to-day contexts and the terms are largely interchangeable.

 

BAC Limit in Indiana

Indiana has a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit of 0.08. If a driver takes a chemical BAC test and the result meets or exceeds 0.08, then the driver is “legally intoxicated,” which means it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle by default. Minors are legally intoxicated if they have a BAC of 0.02. Drivers with commercial driver’s licenses are legally intoxicated if they have a BAC of 0.04.

 

Penalties If You’re Convicted of DUI

A criminal conviction of any kind will bring penalties that can disrupt your life while removing your freedom. A DUI conviction can feel like they go a step beyond by also eliminating your ability to drive a vehicle. The best way to shield yourself from harsh criminal and administrative penalties is to work on a defense strategy right away with a professional OWI defense lawyer.

If you are convicted of an OWI, then you could suffer from:

  • Months or years behind bars
  • Hundreds or thousands of dollars in fines
  • Extended removal of your driving privileges
  • Random hardships due to driver’s license loss

 

When DUI Sentencing is Enhanced

When someone is arrested for an OWI in Indiana, the charge will not always be the same. There are many different reasons why an OWI charge can be escalated or enhanced. If a charge comes with enhanced sentencing potential, then it can penalize the defendant more than usual if a conviction is secured by the state.

An OWI sentence can be enhanced if the defendant:

  • Has been convicted of an OWI before.
  • Caused an OWI accident that hurt someone.
  • Was on parole when arrested for the OWI.
  • Committed an OWI with minors nearby.
  • Threatened anyone who spoke about the OWI.
  • And committed other various misdeeds.

 

Protect Your Driving Privileges – Call Now

Losing your driver’s license after being accused of an OWI will be devastating to your day-to-day life. Adding jail time to a conviction will be even more damaging. Get our Noblesville DUI lawyers on your side now to start building a powerful defense strategy that can stand up to the prosecution.

Contact us online for more information about how to defend against an OWI charge.

Noblesville OWI FAQ

Do I need to take a field sobriety test?

A field sobriety test (FST) is optional when you are pulled over. You can refuse to take one without immediate consequences.

Do I need to take a breath test?

Breath tests – as well as blood and urine tests – to determine your BAC level are mandatory. If you refuse to take one, then your license will be automatically revoked. It is better to take a test and fight an OWI charge in most cases than to refuse the test and lose your license no matter what.

Can you get an OWI if your BAC level was below 0.08?

You can be charged with an OWI with a BAC level below 0.08 if the officer saw you driving erratically and you have a BAC level above 0. Even though you are not legally intoxicated, you can fit the requirements for an OWI or DUI.

Can a DUI conviction be expunged?

Indiana is harsh when it comes to OWI convictions. You can’t have the conviction expunged, even if it is the only conviction on your criminal record. You can have a DUI arrest or charge expunged, though, if it did not lead to a conviction later.