Indiana takes driving under the influence (DUI) and operating while intoxicated (OWI) crimes very seriously. If you have been arrested or are facing these charges in Michigan City, contact a Michigan City criminal defense lawyer at The Law Office of Joseph M. Roberts LLC as soon as possible. We will immediately go to work to ensure that everything possible is being done to protect your rights and freedoms.
What Sets Our Law Firm Apart From the Rest
- Attorney Joseph M. Roberts has a strong support system of staff and fellow attorneys available for co-counsel, allowing him to provide exceptional DUI/OWI defense at reasonable costs.
- We have extensive experience handling driving under the influence cases in Northwest Indiana. We take more of these cases than any other practice area.
- Attorney Roberts fights relentlessly for his clients every time. He has achieved many outstanding case results, including acquittals at trial and case dismissals.
How a DUI/OWI Defense Lawyer in Michigan City Can Help You
Hiring an experienced Michigan City DUI/OWI defense attorney can be instrumental in protecting you from this charge. Your attorney will use their legal experience to analyze your case and gain an understanding of the evidence against you. This will allow your lawyer to craft a strong legal defense that puts you in the best possible position.
Your Michigan City criminal defense lawyer can negotiate with prosecutors or represent you in court to minimize the impacts of a DUI/OWI charge on your life.
What Is a DUI/OWI Crime in Indiana?
It is against the law in all 50 states to operate a motor vehicle while impaired by drugs or alcohol. Indiana’s legal blood alcohol concentration level is 0.08 for standard drivers and 0.04 for commercial drivers. The operating while intoxicated law is found in Indiana Code 9-30-5-1:
- Sec. 1. (a) A person who operates a vehicle with an alcohol concentration equivalent to at least eight-hundredths (0.08) gram of alcohol but less than fifteen-hundredths (0.15) gram of alcohol per:
- (1) one hundred (100) milliliters of the person’s blood; or
- (2) two hundred ten (210) liters of the person’s breath;
- commits a Class C misdemeanor.
To convict an individual of driving under the influence in Indiana, the prosecution must have evidence that the defendant was operating or in actual physical control of a motor vehicle while intoxicated or impaired by drugs or alcohol. The prosecutor must meet the burden of “proof beyond a reasonable doubt.”
What Is the Penalty for a DUI in Indiana?
Even a first-offense DUI in Indiana could have serious consequences, including jail time. The potential penalties of a first DUI/OWI offense based on a person’s BAC level .08-.15 is punishable by up to 60 days in jail, $500 in fines (plus substantially more in fees and surcharges), mandatory drug or alcohol counseling, and driver’s license suspension.
If there are aggravating circumstances involved in a DUI offense, the charge can be enhanced to a Class A misdemeanor or felony. Examples of aggravating factors include repeat offenders, bodily injury or death to others, and driving with a minor in the vehicle. Having a BAC level of .15 or greater in these circumstances can be punishable by up to 1 year for the first offense. A Level 5 felony DUI can be penalized with up to 6 years in prison and $10,000 in fines, while a Level 4 felony DUI can be penalized with up to 12 years in prison.
Common DUI/OWI Defenses
With the right Michigan City DUI/OWI defense lawyer, you can work toward minimizing the penalties of a DUI/OWI charge, having your charges reduced or even getting the case dismissed altogether. Common defenses include a lack of vehicle operation, improper traffic stop or arrest, unreliable field sobriety test results, breathalyzer issues and malfunctions, medical conditions, and insufficient evidence.
Contact Us Today for a Free DUI/OWI Case Review in Michigan City
Find out how The Law Office of Joseph M. Roberts LLC can help you with a DUI/OWI charge in Michigan City during a free case evaluation with our attorney. We are here to help you navigate this challenging time with personalized legal advice and guidance. Call (219) 779-9187 or send us a message today. Contact us and let us put your mind at ease.