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Choosing Our Felony DUI Lawyers in Indianapolis To Fight For Your Rights

When you are charged with OWI in Indiana at a felony level, the stakes are even higher than usual. Your freedom and reputation are at stake. You could face significant jail time and other consequences that could adversely affect your life for years to come. Let our Indianapolis felony DUI lawyers The Criminal Defense Team help you during this critical time in your life. 

Call (317) OUR-TEAM to speak with our Indianapolis DUI attorneys today.

When Is OWI A Felony In Indiana?

Operating a Motor Vehicle While Intoxicated (OWI) is generally charged as a misdemeanor offense in Indiana. This is still a serious matter, but it does not come with the potential penalties and social stigma as a felony offense. However, there are times when OWI can be charged as a felony, including:

Prior Conviction

If a person has a prior conviction of OWI within five years of the current arrest, they can be charged with a Level 6 felony. 

Minor in the Vehicle 

If a driver of the vehicle is at least 21 years old and they have a passenger in the vehicle who is under 18 years old, they can be charged with a felony offense if either of the following situations apply:

  • The driver has a BAC of 0.15 percent or greater
  • The driver operates the vehicle while intoxicated in a way that endangers a person

A person is considered intoxicated under Indiana law if they are under the influence of alcohol, a controlled substance, another drug, or a combination of these that leads to an impaired condition of thought and action and loss of normal control of their faculties. 

Serious Bodily Injury

A person can also be charged with a Level 6 felony if their drunk driving inflicts serious bodily injury to another person. 

Death

Finally, a person can be charged with a felony if their drunk driving results in the death of another person. The level of felony depends on the driver’s BAC and surrounding circumstances. If you are being charged with the death of someone due to DUI, contact our DUI vehicular manslaughter attorneys in Indianapolis today to fight for your rights.

Penalties For OWI Felony Offenses

Most OWI felony offenses in Indiana are considered Level 6 felonies. This offense carries a potential sentence of incarceration of six months to two and a half years. It has a one-and-a-half year advisory sentence, which is a guideline the court can consider that reflects a midway point between the lightest and harshest sentence. There is a mandatory five-day imprisonment term for this offense or ten days if you have two or more convictions. You can also be required to pay a fine up to $10,000. Other potential penalties include being ordered to:

  • Pay court costs and fees 
  • Complete a substance abuse education course
  • Attend a victim impact panel
  • Submit to periodic drug and alcohol testing
  • Probation 
  • Perform community service

An experienced felony DUI attorney in Indianapolis will try to shield you from the harshest penalties. 

Call Our Indianapolis Felony DUI Attorney For Your Confidential Case Consultation

If you are facing felony OWI charges, The Criminal Defense Team can help. Our Indianapolis felony DUI lawyer can review the charges against, investigate the underlying traffic stop and arrest, analyze evidence, and apply our extensive knowledge of Indiana criminal laws and procedures to determine the most effective legal strategies. 

Contact us today at (317) 687-8326 to discuss your case during a confidential case consultation.