What are the things that could happen to someone who got charged a DUI? What kind of fines or penalties are involved?

Serge

Indianapolis, IN

A DUI or Driving Under the Influence charge is a very serious offense in Indiana, one that not only hurts your driving record, but is also a huge financial burden. If convicted, one can expect to pay heavy fines, driver’s license revocation, and even the possibility of going to prison. A DUI will also affect your ability to get affordable car insurance for a while. Getting to choose the right DUI car insurance is essential in order to get you back on the road again.

First, here are some important details about DUI penalties in Indiana: $5,000 in fines plus court fees, possible imprisonment for a year, license suspension for 30 days with a probationary period after for the first offense. $10,000 fine, 5 days – 3 years in jail, and 6 months – 2 years license revocation for the second offense. A third DUI offense can constitute 10 days – 3 years in prison, 1-10 years license suspension and you will be required to install an Interlock Ignition device and enroll on a substance abuse course all at your own expense.

The Web can maximize your chances of getting the right kind of DUI car insurance, thanks to the good number of dedicated online car insurance portals and DUI specialist available on the Internet today. With them anyone can get free and easy access to the latest car insurance rates and offers, and can compare offers coming from many different car insurance providers simultaneously.

These online car insurance portals and websites have made spotting the most affordable DUI car insurance easy, thanks to the speed and convenience of exchanging information on the Web. So instead of taking hours, even days, like it used to, it now only takes you minutes to find the right car insurance provider suiting your needs.

So save yourself hundreds, even thousands, of dollars a year on your DUI car insurance costs, and shop for the best car insurance policy on the Net today. It only takes a few moments of your time, and a little bit of effort to stretch your dollars further.

I have been charged with my first DUI offense in Gary, Indiana. I don’t really know how the court process works. What will happen on my first court date and to I have to attend that if I have retained a lawyer?

Rasheed

Gary, IN

Many are actually not familiar with the court process in any criminal case, including a DUI charge. Since you have been charged with DUI in Gary, Indiana, your first scheduled court appearance would be the arraignment. This is the formal reading of your criminal complaint to inform you of the DUI charges against you. During this hearing, you will be asked to enter a plea which is either guilty, not guilty, or no contest in response to the DUI charges against you. The police report at the time of your DUI arrest and a Complaint, typically, are presented to the court. If you plead guilty, an evidentiary hearing will follow. If you plead not guilty, a date will be set for a preliminary trial.

But if you have been charged with a misdemeanor DUI and have retained a lawyer, you will typically not need to be present for the first court appearance. If it is a felony DUI case, your attendance at the arraignment is mandatory, regardless of whether or not you have retained a lawyer on the matter.

Tags: drunk driving laws, DUI, DUI advice, DUI lawyer

This is my second offense for DUI here in Indiana. I feel so dumb because I refused to take a chemical test. What are the consequences that I am facing now?

Bloomington, IN

You should know better since this is your second DUI offense in Indiana. Well, you always have an option to refuse any test. But, of course, there are several consequences that you will face.

In the state of Indiana, since this is your second offense, there will be a two-year license suspension. While there is a work-restricted license option available for those who were found guilty of a blood alcohol level above .08%, this will not be available for you. If a refusal was written in the complaint, there is a minimum jail sentence that is a mandatory penalty.

If you choose to refuse blood, urine or breath testing, the evidence can be used against you in court as consciousness of guilt. Your lawyer can suggest other possibilities, like a phobia to needles or that you were unable to blow into the breathalyzer hard enough