Drunk Driving Lawyer Near Me

Defending Against OWI Charges for Clients in Indiana

Every driver should know that driving a motor vehicle after drinking alcohol is a dangerous decision. If law enforcement officers stop you and believe you are impaired by alcohol, they can place you under arrest, and you can be charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated (OWI). This is a similar charge to DUI or DWI in other states. 

Too many people fail to take OWI charges as seriously as they should. You might assume that since it is your first offense or you did not cause an accident, and OWI case is not a major concern. However, every criminal charge in Indiana can impact your life in lasting ways, and you should always learn about your rights and opportunities to defend against criminal charges. To speak with a drunk driving lawyer near you, contact the legal team at Arshad, Pangere & Warring, LLP right away.

Possible Consequences of Drunk Driving

The law sets out maximum penalties for OWI convictions, and the following are the possible penalties for a first offense:

• Class C misdemeanor charge
• 60 days in jail
• Fines up to $500
• Court costs
• Driver’s license suspension for 90 days to two years

These penalties can increase significantly under certain circumstances, such as:

• If your blood alcohol content (BAC) was over 0.15 percent, charges can be increased to a Class A misdemeanor
• If you are accused of operating a vehicle in a manner that endangered others, charges can be increased to a Class A misdemeanor
• If you are accused of drunk driving with a minor in the vehicle, and you are 21 or older, charges can be increased to a Level 6 felony
• If you caused serious bodily injury to another person while drunk driving, charges can be increased to a Level 6 felony
• If you have a prior OWI conviction in the past five years, charges can be increased to a Level 6 felony
• If you caused the death of another person while drunk driving, charges can be increased to a Level 5 felony
• If you caused death and you had a prior conviction in five years, a BAC over 0.15 percent or you were driving on a suspended license, charges can be increased to a Level 4 felony

Felony charges can come with years of imprisonment, as well as $10,000 in fines. Due to the serious consequences that you face with OWI charges, it is critical to present an aggressive defense and ensure your rights are protected.

Discuss Your Charges with a Drunk Driving Lawyer Near You

OWI is a serious charge, even if it is your first offense. Whether you plan to plead guilty or want to fight your charges at trial, you should first discuss the matter with a drunk driving lawyer at the law firm of Arshad, Pangere & Warring, LLP. We have extensive experience handling this type of case, so please contact us to learn how we can help you today.