DUI
The most commonly committed criminal offense in the United States today is the crime of drunk driving, or more accurately Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated (OVWI). People who would otherwise never come into contact with the criminal justice system can find themselves under arrest because they have had “one too many.”
The legal limit for Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) while driving in Indiana is .08. This amount can easily be reached with as little as three beers, depending on the types of dinks you are having. The penalties for drunk driving can be numerous and severe. If you are convicted of this type of offense, you may lose your driving privileges for up to two years. If you have multiple drunk driving convictions, you may be required to serve at least twenty days in the county jail. You may even find yourself charged as a habitual substance offender, a felony charge that could send you to prison for up to three years.
I can help.
Choosing the correct attorney at this difficult time is an important decision that can have long-range consequences on your defense. I have worked in many Indiana counties helping people who have found themselves charged with a drunk driving offense, and I can help you put this matter behind you with minimal impact on your life. For example, depending on the circumstances of your arrest, you may qualify for a probationary, or “work license” that will allow you to keep your job at this difficult time.
“Intoxicated” is a legal term that the State needs to prove beyond a reasonable doubt. Several factors can be used to defend against the State’s claim that you were intoxicated, such as your gender, height, weight, and when you last ate. Additionally, legal prescription medications can sometimes cause a “false positive” with the blood alcohol test that makes it seem as though you were intoxicated. There may also be a problem with the way you were stopped, with the way the intoxication tests were administered to you, with the qualifications of the officer administering the test, or even with the equipment used to determine whether you are intoxicated. I will examine all of these issues, and help you to determine the best course for your defense.
Criminal charges should never be taken lightly, and you should not make the mistake of thinking that the potential penalties of this offense will not be severe just because you may have no previous record. You deserve an attorney who will fight to safeguard your rights and ensure that everything that can be done for your defense will be done for your defense. If you have been charged with a drunk driving offense, call me immediately for your free consultation; it may be the most important call that you will ever make.