Free Indiana DUI Lawyers

Reader’s Question:

A friend of mine has been arrested for DUI here in Indiana and I am so dead worried for him that he might be imprisoned. What can he expect should he be convicted for his first DUI case?

Lorraine

Hammond, IN

A DUI conviction in the state of Indiana is a very serious matter but having the knowledge of the law would aid your friend as he goes on the conviction procedure. He doesn’t have to be frightened if this is his first DUI arrest, but he faces severe punishments under the DUI laws of Indiana so he has to determine what he can expect.

Drunk driving is commonly referred to as Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) in Indiana. Nearly all first time DUI’s are misdemeanor cases, given that the breath alcohol concentration (BAC) is no more than .15%. A first DUI conviction would have a fine of $500 plus court cost and fees for alcohol classes required by the court. He can also serve 60 days in jail, but nearly all first time DUI cases have a shorter period of jail time. An experienced DUI lawyer could also aid your friend to have shorter time in jail should he get convicted.

Because of his DUI arrest, it is also possible that he may lose his driver’s license. As a minimum, his driver’s license can be suspended for 180 days but should he pleads guilty, he can have a 90-day suspension or a 30-day suspension then 180 days of restricted driving privileges. Only an experienced DUI lawyer could aid him to find out which of the options would be best since it could not be to his advantage in the end if he pleads guilty. His best route to take is to hire a DUI lawyer and make a decision how to go on with his DUI case.

Reader’s Question:

I got my DUI here in Lafayette, Indiana almost three years ago and my insurance rates are still very high. So my question is, how long will my drunk driving conviction affect my auto insurance rates?

Carissa

Lafayette, IN

The length of time that your drunk driving conviction in Lafayette, Indiana would affect your auto insurance rates depends on both the auto insurance company regulations and the laws of the state. States have different periods of time that a DUI stays on the motorist’s driving record. It could stay on you motor vehicle record for as short as a few years to as long as 10 years depending on the state and the circumstances concerning your DUI. As long as the conviction is on your driving record, it would likely have an effect on your premiums.

Every insurance company has its own means of assessing and grading people. You might want to contact the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to check out how long your DUI is going to remain on your driving record and you can contact your insurance agent to check out how long your auto insurance provider would continue to have a higher rate on your policy.