Being charged and arrested for drunk driving can be a scary and confusing situation. A DUI charge and arrest can result in various legal consequences, like license suspension, fines, jail time, and a permanent criminal record. Keep legal considerations in mind before making any wrong decisions, like drinking before driving; otherwise, the decisions may affect your future.
Indianapolis, colloquially known as Indy, is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Indiana. The city offers farm-to-table restaurants, public art, Fountain Square, White River State Park, food trucks, and a Cultural Trail. For any individual who has been charged with a DUI in Indianapolis, knowing the process can help you stay calm and make informed decisions during a tough time.
Many people are still confused about what to do after when you are charged with drunk driving or what happens after you get a DUI? This blog involves several key steps, explaining how the legal process works, and the importance of contacting a DUI attorney in Indiana as soon as possible is essential to safeguarding your rights and future.
Understanding the Drunk Driving Charge in Indianapolis
Driving Under the Influence (DUI) is a common legal term, but in Indiana, this criminal offense is referred to as operating a vehicle while intoxicated (OWI). Indiana uses the drunk driving charge as OWI, to cover operating a vehicle while impaired by alcohol, prescription drugs, or illegal drugs. These are handled by law enforcement, and they do practices like a traffic stop, field sobriety tests, breath tests, or blood tests.
Here are the charges that will include:
- Accusation that you drove the vehicle while impaired by alcohol or drugs.
- A recorded Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) level
- A temporary suspension of the driver’s license
- Court dates and statute of limitations
- Possible fines or jail time depending on the charge issued.
People need to know and follow some basic rules, and instead of losing their driver’s license and being taken to jail, they have rights and the opportunity to defend themselves.
What Happens After a Drunk Driving Charge in Indiana
Here are some key points to understand the timeline and expectations that characterize the typical process one goes through after being charged with DUI in Indiana.
- When a law enforcement officer notices unusual driving behavior like swerving, speeding, or rolling through stop signs. Then the officer pulls you over and asks questions to check for signs of alcohol or drug intake.
- If the officer believes that you have been under the influence of alcohol, then you may be asked to perform tasks like walking in a straight line or following a light with your eyes. These sobriety tests help the officer decide whether to continue with an OWI investigation.
- Then the officer still believes you are in OWI, you can go with other tests. Indiana law has implied consent, meaning you should comply with a chemical test. If you don’t cooperate with officers, you may lead to an automatic license suspension.
- If the officer ensures you are impaired by alcohol or any other drug, you will be taken into law enforcement custody. Your vehicle may be seized and towed, and you’ll be booked at the local jail or processing centre.
- After the arrest, you will receive notice that your driver’s license is temporarily suspended. This can happen even before your court date. You will appear before a judge to hear the OWI charges against you. This is often called the “initial hearing” or “arraignment.”
- The claim may result in a plea agreement or go to trial. The final judge’s decision will show how many penalties, what the fine amount is, and what additional requirements to submit.
If convicted, penalties may include license restrictions, probation, classes for alcohol or drug abuse, or community service. Completing these crucial steps is required before reinstating your license.
Key Takeaways
- Being charged with OWI in Indiana results in a series of legal steps, from the traffic stop to the final court outcome.
- The legal process often includes sobriety tests, a chemical test, a license suspension, and a court appearance.
- Understanding every step helps lessen the stress and allows you to make prominent decisions.
