If you have been arrested and charged with driving under the influence (DUI) in Marion County? You can take the first by hiring an experienced Indianapolis DUI lawyer – like those here at Suhre & Associates, LLC. Contact us at (317) 759-2599 to schedule a free case valuation.
You may be quite concerned about your future right now. More specifically, you may be worried that you will lose your driver’s license or have to spend some time in jail. However, before you stress yourself out, you should try to remember that you can only be punished if the prosecution can successfully convict you. As such, it is in your best interest to make their job as difficult as possible.
How a Suhre & Associates, LLC Defense Attorney Can Help You Fight Back Against Your DUI Charge
The attorneys here at Suhre & Associates, LLC, understand how frightening it can be to face DUI charges. When you hire us to help you fight back against yours, we will:
Protect Your Constitutional Rights
As a resident or citizen of the United States, you are guaranteed certain rights by the Constitution. When arresting and prosecuting you for drunk driving, the state of Indiana or its representatives must not infringe upon those rights in any way. Unfortunately, in an effort to secure a conviction, they sometimes do.
When you hire our law firm to represent you, we will make sure that your rights are respected at every stage of your case. If we spot a violation at any time, we will raise the matter with the judge immediately.
Negotiate with the Prosecuting Attorney on Your Behalf
In the early stages of your case, the prosecuting attorney may offer you a plea bargain agreement. However, the terms of this initial deal are unlikely to be particularly favorable. To improve them, a period of negotiation will probably be necessary.
The DUI lawyers here at Suhre & Associates, LLC have negotiated countless plea bargain deals with prosecutors in Indianapolis and throughout Indiana. We know exactly what to say and what to do to try to persuade them to offer more favorable terms. Though we cannot guarantee a specific result, we can promise that you will be well-represented at the negotiating table.
Represent You in Court
If the prosecutor is unwilling to offer you a fair plea bargain deal, your case will almost certainly end up going to trial. In court, a judge or jury will make a ruling on your guilt and determine what, if any, punishments you should face. To improve your chances of achieving a favorable outcome at trial, you will need the help of an experienced lawyer.
Our attorneys have represented clients in countless court cases throughout the years. During that time, we have become experts at arguing cases in a clear, concise, and approachable manner. With us by your side, you can be certain that you will receive a fair hearing in court.
If you would like to enlist the help of a Suhre & Associates, LLC DUI attorney, all you need to do is give our Indianapolis law office a call to set up a free consultation. When we meet with you, we will review your case in detail and provide you with more information about how we can help you fight your charges.
Understanding Indiana DUI Law
Indiana law makes it illegal to operate a motor vehicle with a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) that is above the legal limit. For most adults, this limit is 0.08. For drivers who are under the age of 21, however, the limit is just 0.02.
Law enforcement officials in Indiana use a variety of different techniques to determine a driver’s BAC. Most officers will start by asking the suspect to take a breathalyzer test. If the breathalyzer shows that the suspect may be intoxicated, the officer will then ask the suspect to take an additional chemical test.
Anyone who drives on a public road in Indiana is considered to have provided consent to perform urine and blood tests. As such, individuals who refuse to take such a chemical test are subject to automatic one-year license suspensions.
The Indianapolis DUI lawyers here at Suhre & Associates, LLC are well-versed in every aspect of Indiana DUI law. To have us help you with your case, just reach out to us and set up an initial consultation with a member of our experienced team.
Criminal Penalties for DUI Convictions in Indiana
The punishments handed out for drunk driving convictions in Indiana are highly dependent on the number of times that an individual has been found guilty of that same offense in the past:
First DUI
The state of Indiana classifies a first DUI offense as a Class C misdemeanor. Individuals who are convicted of such an offense may face up to 60 days in jail and a fine of up to $500. The state may also suspend their license for between 90 days and 2 years.
Second DUI
A second DUI conviction in five years is generally categorized as a Class D felony in Indiana. Drivers who are found guilty of a second DUI are subject to a fine of up to $10,000 and up to 3 years in prison. They may also lose their license for between 180 days and 2 years.
Second-time offenders can be ordered to complete 180 hours of community service in addition to their other punishments.
Third DUI
A third DUI in five years is punishable as a Class D felony in the state of Indiana. Individuals who are convicted of such an offense may face a fine of up to $10,000 and up to 3 years in prison. The state may also take away their license for between 1 year and 10 years.
In addition, drivers who have been found guilty of drunk driving for a third time can be ordered to complete 360 hours of community service.
Compounding Factors
Though the number of prior convictions is the main determinant of a convict’s criminal penalties, it is not the only one. When doling out punishments, Indiana courts can also look at compounding factors, such as:
BAC of 0.15 or Higher
Individuals who are arrested with a BAC of 0.15 or higher are subject to additional fines, prison time, and community service hours than regular offenders. For a third DUI, a BAC of 0.15 or higher may add 90 days of prison time and $2,500 of fines to a sentence.
The Presence of a Child
The presence of a child who is younger than 16 can upgrade a first-time DUI from a misdemeanor to a felony. This bump in grade also means the potential for higher fines and longer terms of imprisonment.
Injuries and Death
DUIs that result in injuries or death are always classified as felonies by the state of Indiana. Individuals who cause harm to another party while drunk driving may also open themselves up to a personal injury lawsuit.
Traffic Violations
Committing traffic violations such as running a red light or speeding while drunk driving can potentially increase the penalties handed down by the court. Drivers in this situation often find themselves dealing with longer jail sentences and increased fines.
Do you need a criminal defense attorney in Indianapolis, Indiana, to help you fight back against your DUI charge? If so, please do not hesitate to reach out to the team here at Suhre & Associates, LLC. We have the experience and expertise to handle just about any case.
Defenses Against DUI Charges in the State of Indiana
Drunk driving charges in Indiana do not necessarily have to lead to convictions. With the help of an effective defense strategy, these charges can potentially be reduced or even dropped. A brief list of some of the most effective DUI defense strategies would include:
- Improper Stop: If the police did not have reasonable suspicion to conduct the traffic stop, an experienced lawyer may be able to get the case dismissed.
- Inaccurate Testing: If a defense attorney can show that the results of a chemical test are inaccurate or unreliable, they might be able to get the evidence (and eventually the entire case) thrown out.
- Medical Conditions: If a drunk driving suspect has a medical condition such as diabetes, their lawyer may be able to get their case dismissed by showing that it was their illness that caused them to appear intoxicated – not alcohol.
To have the Suhre & Associates, LLC legal team devise an effective defense strategy for you, all you need to do is give us a call and set up a free consultation. When we meet with you, we will study your case and provide you with our expert advice on how you should proceed.
An Indianapolis DUI Lawyer You Can Trust
If you have been arrested for driving under the influence, please do not hesitate to contact the Suhre & Associates, LLC team. Our knowledgeable criminal defense lawyers in Indianapolis have been helping clients fight back against their DUI charges for years – and we would love to do the same for you.
