CDL Defense Attorney in Northwest Indiana

Your commercial driver's license runs under federal rules a lot harsher than the ones that apply to everyone else on the road, and we've spent years defending drivers who found that out the hard way.

CRIMINAL DEFENSE

For most drivers, a .08 BAC is the line. For CDL holders, it's .04, and federal FMCSA rules mean a disqualification can follow even a first offense. That's a faster, harsher process than the one that applies to non-commercial drivers, and it's why we treat every CDL case as a livelihood case, not just a legal one.

Why a CDL Charge Is a Different Kind of Emergency

If you drive for a living, a suspended or disqualified CDL isn't an inconvenience, it's an income stop. Federal disqualification periods can run far longer than a standard suspension, and some violations carry lifetime disqualification on a second offense. We move fast because the clock on your ability to work starts the moment charges are filed, not the moment you're convicted.

What We Bring to a CDL Case

We Know the Difference Between a CDL Case and a Regular OWI

A general criminal defense attorney who doesn't work regularly with commercial drivers can miss the federal layer sitting on top of the state charge. We handle CDL defense alongside our broader OWI and felony defense work, so we're looking at FMCSA disqualification triggers and Indiana's commercial penalty structure at the same time, not one after the other.

Federal Rules, State Courts

Your case will be prosecuted in Indiana state court, but the consequences for your CDL flow from federal regulations. We build a defense that accounts for both, because winning in court doesn't automatically protect your license if the federal disqualification trigger has already been pulled.

Specialized Driving Privileges May Keep You Working

Indiana's specialized driving privilege process can, in some cases, allow a driver to operate under specific restrictions while a case is pending. It won't apply to every CDL situation, but it's worth exploring immediately rather than assuming there's no relief available. We've written about how this process works for license restoration and specialized driving privileges more broadly, and we'll walk you through whether it applies to your case on the call.

Direct Access, Not a Screening Process

You'll talk to an attorney, not an intake coordinator reading from a script. Between our four attorneys we carry nearly a century of combined experience in Northwest Indiana courts, and when you call about a CDL case, you're getting someone who can talk through the federal disqualification rules with you on that first call.

Answers for CDL Drivers Facing Charges

  • What BAC level disqualifies a CDL holder in Indiana?

    A BAC of .04 or higher can trigger a CDL disqualification under federal FMCSA rules, even though the threshold for non-commercial drivers is .08. This lower threshold applies whether you were driving your commercial vehicle or your personal car at the time.

  • How long can a CDL disqualification last?

    A first offense can result in disqualification for a year or more, and certain violations, including a second offense, can carry a lifetime disqualification. The exact period depends on the specific violation and your driving history, which is something we'll walk through on your call.

  • Can I still drive at all while my CDL case is pending?

    Indiana's specialized driving privilege process may allow limited driving under certain restrictions while your case is pending, though it doesn't apply to every situation. We evaluate this possibility as one of the first steps in any CDL case.

  • Do I need a lawyer who specifically handles CDL cases, or will any criminal defense attorney do?

    CDL cases involve a federal regulatory layer that a general criminal defense attorney may not encounter often. We handle CDL defense specifically because the FMCSA rules and Indiana's commercial penalty structure require attention that a standard OWI defense doesn't.

  • Will a CDL charge affect my personal driving privileges too?

    It can. Depending on the charge, you may face consequences for both your commercial and personal driving privileges, which is part of why early representation matters. We look at the full picture of what's at risk, not just the CDL piece.

  • How quickly should I contact an attorney after a CDL-related arrest?

    As soon as possible. Some deadlines related to license and CDL proceedings move on a short clock, and the sooner we're involved, the more options we typically have to explore, including specialized driving privileges.
Two construction workers in orange vests sit resting on the floor in a warehouse, one holding a red drink

Your CDL is your livelihood, and the standards that put it at risk are harsher than the ones facing a typical driver. We offer a free consultation and a direct line to an attorney who understands both the state charge and the federal stakes riding on top of it.