Most DUI arrests in Indiana start as ordinary nights out that quickly turn into confusing, frightening experiences. The charge in Indiana will be an OVWI, also referred to as a DUI, or OWI, but they all mean the same, and they can all have severe consequences. Indiana’s legal limits vary by age, license type, and substance, meaning you can be charged even with a 0.00 BAC if drugs or prescription medications are suspected. Police build their case through observations, field sobriety tests, portable breath tests, and ultimately a certified chemical test, which carries the most weight. Indiana’s harsh implied-consent law makes refusing a chemical test a costly mistake, leading to an automatic license suspension.
After an arrest, driving privileges depend heavily on the county, the judge, and whether you refused testing. A DUI is far more complex than a traffic ticket, and strong legal defense requires analyzing the stop, the officer’s procedures, the accuracy of breath or blood testing, and compliance with implied-consent rules. Penalties can include jail, fines, probation, long license suspensions, skyrocketing insurance, and lasting damage to your record. It is especially devastating for CDL holders and licensed professionals. Because early decisions make a huge difference, anyone charged with a DUI should contact the Marc Lopez Law Firm immediately for experienced defense and guidance.
