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Merrillville DUI Lawyer
If you are facing DUI charges in Merrillville, then you no doubt understand firsthand how nerve-wracking the process can be. Not only may you be facing less-than-friendly police officers, you may also have questions about the accuracy of your breathalyzer test, whether or not you should plead guilty to charges, and what the outcome of a conviction may be. At the law offices of Tanzillo Stassin & Babcock, P.C., our experienced Merrillville lawyer is here to help you understand the charges against you, as well as aggressively defend yourself against charges.
The Penalties for a DUI in Merrillville
In Indiana, DUI (driving under the influence) offenses are called OWIs, or operating while intoxicated. If you are convicted of an OWI offense in Indiana for the first time, the consequences will likely include:
- A fine of up to $5,000;
- Court fees;
- Potential jail time;
- Potential license suspension; and
- Mandatory attendance in a substance abuse education course.
Consider that the DUI offense will also show up on your permanent record, and could have significant consequences for your future as well. For example, a DUI/OWI charge may affect your ability to secure employment or housing in the future. Further, if you are facing your second or subsequent DUI offense, the charges could be even more serious, including imprisonment of up to three years and a fine of up to $10,000 for a second offense.
How Our Attorneys Defend You
The job of our Merrillville DUI attorneys is to protect your best interests and defend you against criminal charges. Our attorneys will defend you by:
- Helping you to understand your plea options and any consequences of a plea;
- Determining whether or not blood/breath alcohol results were obtained legally and were accurate;
- Exploring potential offenses to the DUI/OWI charge; and
- Negotiating with the prosecution to secure you the best deal possible.
Failing to hire an attorney could harm the outcome of your case, and therefore have a very significant and negative effect on your future. Without an attorney on your side, you may be unaware of your legal options or the possible defenses you could employ. Further, if there are any breaches of justice during the criminal process, you may be unaware of the breach, and unable to protect yourself as such.
Contact Our Aggressive Merrillville DUI/OWI Attorneys Today
The first thing that you should do after being arrested and charged with an OWI is to contact an attorney. You should not speak to the police without having an attorney on your side, and you should certainly not attend your arraignment and choose to plead guilty to the charges without an attorney.
