Free Indiana DUI Lawyers

Reader’s Question:

Could you explain to me what really the risk of drunk driving is and why does someone convicted for DUI would have increased insurance rates? My uncle got a DUI conviction here in Gary, Indiana and I also heard that he needs to get an SR22 auto insurance, what is this?

Jamar

Gary, IN

Well, if there is something that could drive anyone’s car insurance cost sky-high, it would be drunk driving or DUI conviction; that’s because according to the Insurance Information Institute, there’s an alcohol-related traffic fatality in the US every 29 minutes. So, aside from the risk of killing yourself and other people, drunk driving would carry serious penalties from your car insurance company.

The state of Indiana requires DUI offenders to get a form called SR22 from their auto insurance companies, so no one can hide. Your uncle needs to get SR22 auto insurance after his DUI conviction in Gary, Indiana and this form would prove to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) that he carries liability insurance and it would remove his driver’s license from suspension. The SR22 auto insurance also requires his insurance company to notify the DMV if it cancels his auto insurance for any reason. He would likely have to file proof of insurance for three years with the DMV. Right now, he might be looking for an insurance company who would give him coverage for his SR22 auto insurance so I suggest for him to get an online rate quote available from this website.

Reader’s Question:

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