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.

Can I register and insure a car with just an international license here in Indianapolis, Indiana?

Michael

Indianapolis, Indiana

The state of Indiana permit an individual with an international driver’s license to purchase a vehicle and then you will need to register and title the vehicle in Indiana as well.

To register the car in Indiana you need to go to a license office and provide the following:

• Certificate of Origin
• Proof of Insurance
• Verification of Social Security Number
• Proof that the car you are registering passed a vehicle emissions test if you live in specific counties.

You will also need to apply for a title for the car and you need a different requirement for that depending if the vehicle is new or used.

To purchase an insurance for the car, you will need to find an auto insurance company that will insure provide insurance with just an international license. If you get a US license from Indianapolis Indiana, it will be easy to get car insurance policy. Many insurers will let you to get a policy and give you thirty days or so to get an Indiana drivers license.

What are the penalties for DUI in Indiana? How can I get affordable dui insurance. Please help. I just lost my job and Im a bit worried with the car insurance cost.

Pam

Indianapolis IN

A DUI or Driving Under the Influence charge in Indiana not only hurts your driving record, but also your pocket. Aside from some very hefty fines, suspension of one’s driving privileges, and the very real possibility of going to jail, a DUI conviction can also undermine your ability to get affordable DUI car insurance for the next couple of years. This is why choosing the right DUI car insurance from the right car insurance provider is essential.

Let’s give you first a good idea what DUI offenders in the state of Indiana can expect to face: 1st offense is fined $5,000 excluding court costs and fees, one year max. Jail time, 30-day license suspension with a probationary period afterwards. 2nd offense: $10,000 fine, 5 days – 3 years in jail, license suspension from 6 months to 2 years. 3rd offense: 10 days – 3 years in jail, 1 – 10 year license suspension. The court may also order you to install an Interlock Ignition device and sign-up for a substance abuse course (all at your own expense).

So how do you maximize your chances of getting the right kind of DUI car insurance? Use the Web! With the many dedicated online car insurance and DUI insurance portals and specialists available, all offering fast and free access to the latest car insurance rate quotes and policies, comparing different car insurance companies to find the most affordable offer can be accomplished with little effort in minutes!

In order to compare DUI car insurance rates, you need to get them easily; it must be up-to-date and coming from many different car insurance providers in Indiana. Only car insurance portals on the web can do this because of the Web itself, and the ease and speed of which information can be exchanged.

If done correctly, you stand to save hundreds of dollars, or more, a year on your car insurance without sacrificing quality car insurance coverage. So save yourself the time and effort, and get the best DUI car insurance policy in the market on the Web today.

The state where I came from requires drivers to have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (which I don’t know what for). I don’t know yet if they do the same here in Indiana, so can I opt not to have it? What else can I not have just to save on my auto insurance?

Garett

South Bend, IN

Uninsured motorist coverage would pay for any medical expenses that are caused by another driver who does not have auto insurance. Also, if you or your car becomes a victim of hit-and-run, uninsured coverage will also pay for the damage. For underinsured motorist coverage, this will pay for you and your car if you get into an accident where the other driver is at-fault and he/she doesn’t have enough car insurance to cover the damages. In this event, the at-fault driver’s insurance would pay out to its limits and then your underinsured motorist coverage will for the rest. These types of coverage are, luckily, not required in the state of Indiana. This means that you may opt not to have it, thus, saving on your auto insurance.

There are also some other things that you may opt not to have in order for you to save some money on your auto insurance. Some of these are towing and medical payments coverage because these things can be covered by other sources. For instance, if you have health insurance, this would pay for your medical bills. Therefore, it will not be necessary for you to have medical payments coverage as part of your auto insurance policy.

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.

I know that I am facing a serious charge after my DUI arrest in Terre Haute, Indiana. What I need to know now is that, what are the penalties involved for a first-time DUI offense if I get convicted?

Laney

Terre Haute, IN

After your DUI arrest in Terre Haute, Indiana, your driver’s license was taken away, and that is the first penalty that you will ever receive for being charged for DUI. But the good news is that you could still drive until you receive your suspension from either the court or the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles. When facing your DUI court case in the state of Indiana, it is very essential that you hire the services of a DUI lawyer. If you plead guilty for the DUI charge, it can make it easier to get your license back but it will add a DUI offense to your record.

If you are ultimately convicted for your DUI charge, you are facing very strict penalties. First is that you will be sentenced for jail time of 60 days to one year an there is no mandatory minimum. You will also have to pay fines of $500 to $5,000, again no mandatory minimum; there is a possible installation of ignition interlock device and you will also have a possible probationary license.

I have never been caught drunk driving here in Indiana though to be honest, I do drink and drive sometimes. If I will be asked to stop because of a DUI suspicion, what will the officer ask me to do and what usually happens during a DUI arrest?

Nolee

Anderson, IN

A chain reaction of legal steps ensues if you will be caught by a police officer driving under the influence in the highways of Indiana. Drunk driving is a very serious offense and the law has strict penalties for people who will be proven guilty of the charge.

So, if a law enforcement officer asks you to stop because of a DUI suspicion, you will generally be asked to perform field sobriety tests (FST) or an actual sobriety test to measure your level of intoxication. Various testing options exist including breath, blood and urine. The state of Indiana has an implied consent law which means that if you are driving, you are implying consent to take an alcohol test on the spot if requested. The motorist usually has a choice of tests. The breath test is easier to fault for accuracy than blood test but breathalyzers do not scan for the presence of other drugs. If you refuse the test or have a blood alcohol content (BAC) level over the limit of .08 percent, the police officer would probably take you into custody at the local police station. Depending on previous charges, it is likely that someone would have to pick you up or you will have to sleep overnight at the station to sober up.

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

Is it possible to lose my driver’s license permanently in the State of Indiana if I was convicted with DUI?

Melanie,

Fort Wayne, IN

Yes, you may lose your driver’s license permanently in Indiana for DUI convictions. By having 4th DUI conviction, you may permanently lose the privilege to drive in Indiana . This means a 4th conviction at anytime. In Indiana , a work permit is not possible on a permanent revocation at the present time.

If you are wondering if there can be an exception in your case, unfortunately, the court cannot make an exception in any case. The court is mandated to revoke your license permanently if you are convicted with fourth DUI. The court also does not have the authority to allow you to have a work permit.

One other way to lose your driver’s license for life is to be convicted of vehicular manslaughter or DUI manslaughter.

If you are also wondering how you will get to work, neither the court, the assistant state attorney, nor probation officer can help you. Should you caught driving on a permanent revocation in all likelihood, you will serve jail time for a number on months.

I live in Anderson, one night I went to my friend’s house for a party. There were some wines, champagnes and martinis to drink along while chatting with some oldies. I am not that drunk, I just drink around a glass of champagne that night and after an hour I drive myself home. I was driving fast since I am in a hurry to go home to watch over my little daughter who is 5 years old. An officer told me to pull over and I was talking to him he somewhat smell the alcohol as in my breath, and asked me to perform a test that is to walk on a straight line. I felt so dizzy while doing the test, so I walked on a crooked line and thus, was arrested and charged with DUI. I went through a chemical testing and it revealed that I had a blood alcohol concentration level of 0.07%.

Is there any way I can get out of this mess I am in? I don’t want to have a criminal record.

Robert, Anderson IN

Hi Robert,

Based on the story that you narrated, you were charged of DUI. The Indiana DUI law specifically stated that a person could be charged of such crime when your driving ability is impaired due to the consumption of alcohol. When the police officer smelled your breath with alcohol, it gave him the reason to let you do the walking on a straight-line test. Thus, you were charged with DUI.

But with the results of chemical testing, the blood alcohol concentration level is 0.07%, which is below the legal limit of 0.08%. You can only be charged with DUI in the state of Indiana when your blood alcohol concentration level exceeds the legal limit of 0.08%. There is a possibility that you will be acquitted of the crime charged against you.

But with winning or losing of your case will only depend on the lawyer that you hired. Hiring an Indiana DUI lawyer is the best that you can do in order to aid you with your defense and using the result of the chemical testing as strong evidence that will help you win the case.

Having a criminal record due to DUI that is charged against you will be dependent upon on how good your Indiana DUI lawyer is. So, the choice is yours. Get the best Indiana DUI lawyer and the chances are big that you will win the case.