Finding a lawyer for your Indiana OWI case can be the most integral part of accomplishing the goals in your case. There is a lot of information out there, and sifting through it to find the right Indianapolis OWI attorney can be a harrowing experience, especially, if you’ve just been arrested for an OWI and you are either fresh out of jail on bail or if you’ve been released on your own recognizance. Either way, finding the best Indianapolis DUI attorney for your situation is what’s best.
Hopefully, if you are in a situation that requires you to hire a Marion County DUI lawyer, you reach out to the Law Office of Jesse K. Sanchez today by either call or text at (317) 721-9858 today. When you are selecting a top-rated OWI/DUI lawyer, here are some helpful tips to help you find the Marion County attorney that’s right for you.
Indiana OWI Law
Unlike some states, in the State of Indiana the term “operating while intoxicated” (OWI) is used instead of “driving under the influence” (DUI).
Indiana law states that a suspicion of OWI has occurred when:
- The accused has a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08% or more
or
- The accused is found to have any amount of a schedule I or II controlled substance in their system
or
- The accused is caught while actually intoxicated by drugs or alcohol.
Some of the drugs that fall under Indiana’s list of controlled substances under the schedule I and II classifications are:
- Opiates
- PCP or LSD
- Marijuana
- Cocaine
- Meth
In Indiana the law states that it is illegal for underage drivers (those under 21 years old) to operate a vehicle with a BAC of .02% or more. According to Indiana’s Zero Tolerance Laws, the individual will be charged with a Class C misdemeanor offense, which can mean up to 60 days in jail and up to a $180 fine. (Ind. Code § 7.1-5-7-7.)
Be Sure the Lawyer You Choose Has Experience in Indiana OWI Law
This may seem like a simple step, but it’s actually quite important, and not as easy as you might think. Ask what type of experience the lawyer has in trying OWI cases similar to your individual situation. You should ask the following questions to your prospective attorney:
- How long has the lawyer been practicing OWI law?
- Is the attorney up to date on all current OWI state laws?
- How will the various nuances of your Indiana OWI case impact you?
If after you’ve spoken to the attorney, you’ve found that the lawyer is either unwilling to give or has difficulty in giving you specific answers about how the arrest will affect your life, that may not be the best criminal defense lawyer for your individual case. While they may be skilled in handling one type of case, they may likely not have quite the amount of experience that you need for your drunk driving defense.
Do You Need a Lawyer Experienced in OWI’s?
Call Jesse K. Sanchez at (317) 721-9858
Be Sure the Lawyer is Current on Indiana OWI Law
OWI law is a highly complex area in criminal law. In Indiana, there are nuances of the state OWI laws that change. There are always changes to the various nuances of one sort to the OWI laws in Indiana regularly. Make certain that your OWI lawyer is up to date on the nuances of Indiana OWI law. Your freedom depends on it. Is the lawyer that you are looking to hire familiar with common defenses to an Indiana OWI terms like:
- Alcohol Gaze Nystagmus
- Caloric Nystagmus
- Natural Nystagmus
- Vestibular System Nystagmus
- And so on…
Indiana OWI Trial Experience
Before you decide to hire an attorney to help you with your OWI charges, you need to find out a few things:
- How often has the lawyer taken Indiana drunk driving cases to trial?
- What were the verdicts or resulting outcomes of the trial?
Make sure that your attorney has some sort of trial experience with taking Indiana OWI cases to trial. And with how many of those trials did the lawyer walk away with an outcome that was most favorable to their client.
Find Out How Much the Lawyer is Going to Charge for Your Indiana OWI Case
Even though cost shouldn’t be the final and deciding factor in who you choose to handle your OWI case, you should feel no hesitation to ask the attorney regarding what fees they charge. Does the attorney:
- Offer a flat fee option or a discounted rate for cash payment?
- Bill hourly and if so, what is their rate?
- Allow a payment arrangement or payment plan?
- Charge fees that are not normally common in the industry?
Your freedom is priceless, and there is a cost that can be associated with you if you lose your job, spend time in jail or lose the ability to drive to and from work. If all of those additional negative consequences are even remotely a reality, you may not want to opt for the cheapest criminal defense attorney in Marion county. When your freedom is on the line, the cheapest attorney near me isn’t always the best.
Referral’s Matter in Selecting a Lawyer Familiar with Indiana OWI Laws
Unfortunately, people get charged with a suspicion of an OWI in Indiana all of the time. Take the time and think about anyone you know that has been arrested for a suspicion of an OWI in their past. Find out about any positive or negative experiences that they’ve had with the various OWI attorneys in Marion County. Check for Google reviews. Often, attorneys can provide you with names of past clients who are fine with sharing information about their experience with the lawyer.
The Consequences of Breaking Indiana OWI Laws Can Be Costly.
Regardless of how much or how little you pay your attorney, unless you are comfortable with them and their knowledge of Indiana OWI laws, keep trying until you find the right one. believe they will fight for what it is you want and need, you will not be happy with the results.
You Can Find the Best OWI Lawyer for Your Case
Finding the best DUI attorney for your case should be easy! Just search for “best DUI attorney near me“. Or, you could just email us at info@jksanchezlaw.com or call us at (317) 721-9858!
