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Crown Point DUI Attorney
Were you recently arrested for a DUI/OWI in Crown Point, Indiana? In some cases, drivers are wrongly arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol, or as Indiana law defines it, operating a vehicle while intoxicated (OWI). In other cases, drivers make mistakes and do not realize how much alcohol they have consumed before getting behind the wheel of a car. Alcohol affects people differently, and a person’s physical attributes as well as medical conditions can impact how alcohol metabolizes in their system.
Do you have questions about building a strong defense? A Crown Point DUI defense lawyer can assist you.
What is a DUI/OWI in Crown Point, Indiana?
How does Indiana law define a DUI/OWI in Crown Point? Under IC 9-30-5-1, it is a:
- Class C misdemeanor offense for a person to operate a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent or higher (but less than 0.15 percent);
- Class A misdemeanor if a person operates a motor vehicle with a BAC of 0.15 percent or higher; and
- Class C misdemeanor if an individual operates a motor vehicle under the influence of controlled substances.
Penalties for DUI/OWI Convictions in Crown Point
What are the penalties for a DUI/OWI conviction under Indiana law? Generally speaking, the penalties worsen with each subsequent offense. At the same time, even a conviction upon a first offense comes with serious consequences:
- First offense: Possible jail sentence of up to one year, fines of up to $5,000, license suspension of up to two years, license suspension for at least 30 days followed by a 180-day probationary period, and probation.
- Second offense: Imprisonment for anywhere from five days to three years and/or performance of community service; fines of up to $10,000, license suspension for at least 180 days and up to two years, and probation terms.
- Third offense: Imprisonment for anywhere from 10 days to three years and/or performance of community service, fines of up to $10,000, license suspension for at least one year and up to 10 years, adjudication as a “habitual traffic violation,” possible charge and sentencing as a “habitual substance offender,” which can result in an additional imprisonment term of 1-8 years, and probation terms.
To be clear, a first offense does not have a minimum jail time, but the court can decide to sentence the offender to a jail time of up to one year. As you can see, the consequences of any DUI/OWI conviction are extremely serious. It is also important to recognize that a conviction stays on your record, and it can impact your ability to obtain certain professional licenses and jobs, and in some cases to obtain credit or to be approved for certain applications. These are misdemeanor criminal offenses, and upon conviction you will be required to admit to having a criminal record when asked.
Contact a Crown Point DUI/OWI Attorney
It is important to recognize that being convicted of a DUI/OWI can have serious consequences. As such, you should always seek counsel from an experienced Crown Point DUI defense attorney. At Tanzillo Stassin & Babcock P.C., we have years of experience handling DUI defenses for Indiana clients, and we can get started on your case today.
