Northwest Indiana DUI Defense Lawyer

Representing Clients Facing DUI/OWI Charges in Northwest Indiana

Indiana law takes impaired driving very seriously. If officers suspect that you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs while driving, they can place you under arrest. You will then likely face criminal charges of operating while intoxicated (OWI), which is also commonly referred to as driving under the influence (DUI). 

Prosecutors are notoriously harsh when it comes to seeking convictions and penalties in DUI cases. Generally, they will try to enforce the law to their maximum ability, and plea bargains can be rare in this type of case. Because of the potentially harsh consequences that can follow an impaired driving conviction, it is essential that you have an aggressive Northwest Indiana DUI defense lawyer protecting your rights and defending against your charges. Contact the Law Offices of Arshad, Pangere & Warring, LLP, as soon as possible.

DUI Cases in Northwest Indiana

DUI cases generally begin with a traffic stop by police officers, and officers must have reasonable suspicion that you violated a law in order to lawfully pull you over. This does not mean they must suspect you of drunk driving, however, as many traffic stops stem from failing to signal, expired license plates, or other routine traffic offenses. Once stopped, you can bet the officer will be observing you for signs of intoxication.

You can be arrested and charged with OWI based on the following:

• Having a BAC over the legal limit of 0.08 percent, as indicated by a breath or blood test
• Showing signs of impairment (regardless of your BAC), as indicated by an officer’s supposed observations or your performance on field sobriety tests

In either situation, the penalties for a conviction can be serious and lasting, so it is important to have an attorney working to prevent a conviction whenever possible.

OWI Penalties in Indiana

Generally, an OWI is a Class C misdemeanor charge, which can mean a fine of $500 and up to 60 days behind bars. If your BAC was over 0.15 percent or you endangered someone else while driving, the charge can increase to a Class A misdemeanor, which means a possible $5,000 fine and one year in jail – even for a first offense. In addition, you can experience the immediate suspension of your driver’s license, vehicle confiscation, and an ignition interlock when you start driving again.

Penalties can increase significantly for multiple OWI conviction, which is only one reason why it is critical to prevent even a first conviction. It is important to have a defense attorney who can try to get your case dismissed or minimize the consequences you face.

Speak with a Northwest Indiana DUI Defense Lawyer Right Away after an Arrest

Because of the serious consequences of an OWI conviction, you should not put off speaking with a Northwest Indiana DUI defense lawyer at the Law Offices of Arshad, Pangere & Warring, LLP.

Contact us as soon as possible after an arrest so we can begin protecting your rights.