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Fishers DUI Defense Lawyer

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Why Hire Our DUI Defense Lawyers in Fishers?

Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated (OWI) is a serious criminal offense that can result in the loss of your driving privileges, freedom, and livelihood. If you are facing OWI charges, an experienced Fishers DUI defense lawyer can review the charges against you, challenge the evidence, and aggressively defend your rights. The Criminal Defense Team includes board-certified legal specialists and attorneys with more than 100 years of combined experience. Contact us for a confidential case review.

What Is Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated?

In other states, driving a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of over 0.08 percent is called DUI, but in Indiana, it is OWI, which stands for Operating a Motor Vehicle While Intoxicated. You can be charged with this offense under any of the following circumstances:

  • Your BAC is above the legal limit.
  • You’re under 21 years old and have a BAC of 0.02 percent or more.
  • You’re a commercial driver with a BAC of 0.04 percent or more.
  • You have any alcohol in your system that causes you to lose normal control of your faculties.
  • You operate a motor vehicle with a Schedule I or II controlled substance or its metabolite in your system.

What Are the Penalties for OWI in Indiana?

A first OWI offense is typically charged as a Class C misdemeanor. However, if you drove a motor vehicle in a way that endangered someone else, the offense can be elevated to a Class A misdemeanor. Subsequent offenses result in stricter penalties.

Any time a person is charged with OWI, they face immediate consequences, including being taken from the scene and into custody. Their vehicle is towed, and they are responsible for paying impound fees to retrieve it. They automatically lose driving privileges unless they pursue a separate administrative hearing.

A first offense for OWI can result in the following penalties:

  • Up to one year in jail
  • A fine of up to $5,000
  • License suspension of up to two years

A second offense can result in:

  • Five days to three years’ imprisonment
  • A fine of up to $10,000 – df
  • 180 days to two years’ license suspension

A third offense can result in the following penalties:

  • Ten days to three years’ imprisonment
  • A fine of up to $10,000
  • One to ten years of license suspension

If a person has been convicted of a previous OWI within five years of their current arrest, they can be charged with a Level 6 felony, which is punished by:

  • Six months to two and a half years’ imprisonment
  • A fine of up to $10,000

Additional penalties can apply in OWI cases, including completing community service, attending a victim impact panel, or facing terms of probation.

Enhanced penalties can apply if aggravating circumstances were present during the offense, such as someone was injured in an accident caused by OWI, knowingly committing the offense with a minor in the vehicle, or committing the offense as a violation of parole.

Contact Our Experienced OWI Defense Lawyers in Fishers for Help Today

If you are facing charges for OWI or related offenses, contact the Fishers criminal defense lawyers at The Criminal Defense Team today at (317) OUR-TEAM. We can discuss your case and how we can help during a confidential consultation.