Indianapolis DUI Aggravated Assault Attorney
Protect Your Rights And Choose Our DUI Aggravated Assault Lawyers in Indianapolis
It’s an innocent enough mistake – You have a couple of drinks and think that you’re fine to drive. You’ve done it before and everything was fine. However, this time, you get in an accident in which someone was injured. Before you know it, your freedom and reputation are in jeopardy. If you’re facing OWI charges in which someone was hurt, The Criminal Defense Team is here to help.
Indiana OWI Laws
Operating a Motor Vehicle While Intoxicated (OWI) makes it illegal to drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. This crime can be charged when your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is over a certain amount or when your driving ability is impaired because of drugs or alcohol.
Typically, OWI in Indiana is charged as a misdemeanor offense, which carries lighter penalties and consequences than a felony offense. However, Indiana OWI law allows prosecutors to charge a person with a Level 6 felony if they cause serious bodily injury to another individual while driving drunk or drugged. A serious bodily injury is any injury that causes any of the following:
- Loss of consciousness
- Extreme pain
- A protracted loss or impairment of a function of a body part or organ
- A substantial risk of death
- A serious permanent disfigurement
- The loss of a fetus
If another person breaks their arm, suffers a traumatic brain injury, or is hospitalized, this could mean you could face these serious charges.
Penalties For OWI Offenses When Someone Is Injured
If this is your first offense, it will be charged as a Level 6 felony. This crime can result in incarceration between six months and two and a half years. Your driver’s license can be suspended for 90 days to two years, and you can be fined up to $10,000.
If you have a previous DUI-related conviction within the last five years, you could be charged with a Level 5 felony if you are accused of causing a drunk driving accident resulting in serious bodily injury. This offense carries a potential penalty of one to six years’ imprisonment with an advisory sentence of three years. You can be fined up to $10,000 and lose your driver’s license for at least one year. Keep in mind, if you’ve been charged with a DUI felony, contact our Indianapolis felony DUI lawyers today to learn more about your case.
If more than one person was injured in the accident, you can be charged with a separate offense for each victim. This could lead to consecutive sentences that can result in significant time behind bars.
Having a Level 5 or Level 6 felony offense on your criminal record can have additional consequences, including:
- Losing a professional license
- Losing immigration status
- Not being able to get a good job
- Having increased auto insurance rates
- Having your professional license suspended
- Being sentenced to probation
- Having to take a substance abuse education course
An experienced Indianapolis DUI aggravated assault attorney can employ various defense strategies to try to bring about a favorable outcome for your case.
Arrange Your Confidential Case Consultation Today
If you are facing OWI charges that involve a serious bodily injury, The Criminal Defense Team can help. Let our DUI lawyers in Indianapolis devise an effective legal strategy and assist you during this critical time in your life.
Call us today at (317) 687-8326 or fill out our online contact form to discuss your case during a confidential case consultation.