DUI Defense

DUI Attorneys in Indianapolis

Helping Clients Overcome DUI Charges and Move On with Their Lives

Few experiences are more traumatizing than being pulled over and arrested for DUI. A DUI offense can result in devastating charges that ruin reputations, halt employment opportunities, and seriously affect social lives. If you are facing a DUI conviction, please act quickly to get in touch with our criminal defense lawyers.

At Wade Trial Lawyers, we understand how terrifying the criminal justice system can be. We will stand by you to ensure law enforcement officers and prosecutors don’t violate your Constitutional rights. We will fight valiantly to protect your driving privileges.

Many individuals who are suspected of DUI are ordinary people who never expected this to happen. Whether you were arrested by mistake due to unusual blood levels or if you made a mistake and are trying to correct it, we can help. We will investigate thoroughly to discover what happened during your DUI arrest. If police officers violated your rights, we may be able to get your charges lowered or dismissed.

You need a DUI defense attorney who knows how to get results. You need Wade Trial Lawyers. Contact us right away at 765-563-4644 to schedule your free consultation with our caring, capable legal team.

What Are Indiana’s Laws Governing DUI/OWI?

Operating a vehicle while intoxicated (OWI or DUI) in Indiana is a serious criminal offense. Unlike other traffic violations, a DUI conviction is a criminal charge that can lead to jail time, hefty fines, and loss of driving privileges. If you commit multiple DUI offenses, you may face felony charges that can land you in prison for years.

In Indiana, a DUI is issued based on the legal limit for blood alcohol concentration, which is 0.08%. The driver’s BAC can be determined through breath, blood, and urine tests. Indiana law also prohibits driving while under the influence of certain drugs, such as marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine, and other hallucinogens.

Furthermore, DUI laws in Indiana are even stricter for individuals who are underage or who have a commercial driver’s license. Drivers under age 21 may receive DUI charges if they have a blood alcohol concentration of 0.02% or higher. The legal limit for drivers with a CDL is 0.04%, and criminal charges related to DUI can be especially catastrophic if your livelihood depends on keeping a commercial license.

DUI cases are highly complex, and prosecutors often try to take a hard line against drunk drivers. Sadly, this means many innocent individuals are punished beyond what they deserve. If you are facing a drunk driving charge, call our Indianapolis DUI attorneys right away for help fighting your charges and preserving your rights.

What Are the Penalties for a First Offense DUI in Indiana?

DUI penalties in Indianapolis depend on the nature of the crime, such as whether this is your first or subsequent DUI. You may also face additional penalties if your BAC was extraordinarily high or if you caused an accident that led to serious bodily injury or death.

Legal Penalties for a First DUI Offense

Even a first DUI offense can cause life-changing penalties that affect you long after the jail time is over. Some of the penalties for a first-time offender include:

  • Up to 60 days of jail time
  • Fines of up to $500
  • License suspension for up to one year
  • Criminal record that can affect employment and immigration opportunities
  • Mandatory use of interlock device in some circumstances

If your BAC is higher than 0.15%, you may face additional time in jail and fines of up to $5,000. Contact our law office right away to ensure you don’t get the maximum punishment for your first DUI.

Second DUI Offense

A second or subsequent DUI comes with increased penalties. These drunk driving convictions are extremely serious and should be handled with care by an experienced Indianapolis DUI defense attorney.

Some potential consequences of a repeat DUI are:

  • Jail time of two and a half years or more
  • Fines of up to $10,000
  • License suspension of two years or more
  • Potential habitual vehicular substance offender status, increasing jail time and resulting in lifetime license suspension

Please contact a criminal defense lawyer right away to start fighting your drunk driving charges. The prosecution will act quickly to move against you, so there is no time to waste. Reach out to our law office today for a free consultation.

What Happens if I’m Convicted of a Subsequent DUI Offense?

Certain laws regulate how subsequent DUI convictions are handled. In Indiana, a second DUI conviction requires a stay of five days in jail, which may be substituted for 340 hours of community service. Second-offense DUIs also carry a license suspension of at least one year.

Additional charges occur if the repeat DUI occurs within a specific time frame following the first offense. For example, a second DUI within seven years of the previous DUI is considered a level 6 felony. A felony has many lasting effects that can impact a person’s ability to gain employment, keep custody of their children, and seek immigration status.

If you have been charged with a second or additional repeat DUI, please don’t wait to call an Indianapolis DUI lawyer. Your criminal defense attorney can help ensure your rights are not violated during the arrest and investigation. They can also coach you on answering law enforcement officers’ questions to prevent accidental self-incrimination.

Can I Do Anything to Combat My Indiana DUI Charge?

Some DUI attorneys tell their clients that there’s nothing they can do to fight a DUI charge. Fortunately, this is not true. Skilled criminal defense lawyers like those at Wade Trial Lawyers will help construct a powerful defense to minimize or drop any penalties associated with a DUI conviction.

Some examples of defenses that your DUI attorney can use to fight your charges include:

  • Insufficient evidence – This is a basic defense that attacks the prosecution’s ability to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you were the driver or that your BAC exceeded legal limits. This includes police officers failing to see you operating the vehicle.
  • Illegal traffic stop – Law enforcement officers are required to respect your Constitutional rights, including not pulling you over without reasonable suspicion.
  • Inaccurate blood alcohol concentration (BAC) results – Breathalyzers are notorious for failing to provide accurate results. Cross-contamination, failure to follow proper procedures, mishandling of test equipment, delays of testing, and false readings due to medical conditions are all examples of causes of inaccurate BAC testing.
  • Medical conditions – Some illnesses or medical conditions can falsely indicate a high blood alcohol concentration. Some of these conditions include ketosis due to fasting, diabetes, acid reflux, and use of mouthwash containing alcohol.

There is hope when fighting a DUI charge, especially with knowledgeable criminal defense lawyers on your side. Call Wade Trial Lawyers immediately to help you fight your DUI charge.

Can I Refuse to Submit to a Breathalyzer Test in Indiana?

Some individuals refuse to submit to breath testing due to the stigma against these devices. The breathalyzer test is indeed notoriously inaccurate in many cases. However, according to Indiana’s implied consent laws, you do not have a legal recourse for refusing the test. Refusing to submit to a breathalyzer test can result in a year of lost driving privileges.

If you have been arrested and you feel that your rights have been violated, please reach out to an Indiana DUI attorney right away. Your DUI defense lawyer can help you through the legal process, giving you the support and counsel you need to avoid maximum sentencing. Even if you have prior offenses, you can still fight your DUI charge by calling our law firm today.

Why Do I Need to Hire a Defense Attorney for My Indiana DUI?

When you or a loved one is facing DUI charges, the last thing you need is to go through this ordeal on your own. A DUI/DWI attorney like those at our law firm can help guide you through the complex criminal justice system. They can help you navigate police officers’ questions to give you the best chances of a positive outcome in your Indiana DUI case.

An experienced Indianapolis DUI defense attorney will also work tirelessly to ensure your Constitutional rights are not violated. If any aspect of your arrest occurred illegally, such as an illegal traffic stop or failing to inform you of your Miranda rights, you may be able to get your charges lowered or dismissed.

Our drunk driving attorneys are waiting to help. Contact us right away to get aggressive legal representation for your DUI charges.

What Makes Your Criminal Defense Law Firm Different from Other Indianapolis DUI Attorneys?

Unlike other law firms, we don’t rush through the investigation. While we work quickly because time is of the essence, we also meticulously study each aspect of every case to uncover the truth about what happened. Our team of defense attorneys leaves no stone unturned when searching for evidence to back up your defense.

We are fearless in and out of the courtroom. We put our honed negotiation skills to work in getting a bargain without ever entering the court. However, we are not afraid to defend you aggressively if your case should go to trial.

If you have been arrested for driving under the influence, please remember you have the right to remain silent. You do not have to answer police officers’ questions and should not do so without consulting with a lawyer about your legal defense. You also have the right to a defense attorney. Call our law office today to learn more about how we can help.

Should You Hire Our Indianapolis DUI Lawyers?

When choosing a criminal defense law firm, you can count on the defense lawyers at Wade Trial Lawyers. We have extensive experience protecting individuals who are at the mercy of the law. We promise to use every ounce of our knowledge, skill, and experience to get you the best possible results in your DUI case.

Our proven track record of success makes it easy to see why you should choose our Indianapolis DUI attorneys to handle your case. Whether this is your first DUI or if you have a prior conviction, you should take your DUI seriously and act quickly to get the legal representation you need. We have represented clients with various criminal charges, including DUI. We are prepared to handle your case with respect and attention to detail.

Call 765-563-4644 right away to schedule a free case review with our compassionate, meticulous team of Indianapolis attorneys.