Fort Wayne DUI/OUI Lawyer

In Indiana, five misdemeanor offenses have been established with respect to adults operating a vehicle after consuming alcohol or having certain controlled substances in their body without a valid prescription. These include three “per se” offenses based on the quantity of alcohol and/or drugs measured through breath, blood, or urine as well as two offenses based on operating a vehicle while intoxicated (regardless of the amount of alcohol or drugs measured) as observed and stated by a police officer. 

These misdemeanors are as follows: 

1. Class C misdemeanor based on a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 percent through .14 percent. This is punishable by up to 60 days in jail and/or a fine of up to $500.
2. Class A misdemeanor based on a BAC of .15 or above. This carries a maximum jail sentence of up to a year and/or a fine of up to $5000.
3. Class C misdemeanor based on the presence of any amount of drugs or their metabolites in your body (consumed without a valid prescription). It is punishable by up to 60 days in jail and/or a fine of up to $500. 
4. Class C misdemeanor based on operating a vehicle while intoxicated  by alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both leading to an impairment of normal control of your faculties. 
5. Class A misdemeanor based on operating a vehicle while intoxicated and endangering someone as a result. 

An Indiana DUI/OWI will also subject you to administrative penalties by the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV). Your license will be automatically suspended for 180 days for failing a chemical test. If you refuse to take the test, you will face a one-year license suspension. Those who fail their test can seek specialized driving privileges by installing an ignition interlock device (IID) in their vehicle.  

Why You Need an Attorney in DUI/OUI

Chemical tests, administered by police officers or hospital staff, are generally the most important piece of evidence in OWI cases. You may be under the assumption that breath and blood rests are precise, accurate, and completely reliable. The truth is these tests are sometimes administered improperly. Some level of error associated with them is generally always the case. 

An experienced OWI defense attorney understands the potential errors that can occur through chemical testing, police procedure, and other facets of an OWI arrest. At Watkins Law Firm, we defend clients through our knowledge of the science behind breath and blood testing as well as all other factors that can relate to your arrest. 

Facing an OWI arrest? Get a free case review from a highly-knowledgeable OWI defense attorney in Fort Wayne. Contact us online or at (260) 908-9898 today.