Protecting Your Rights After A DUI Arrest

Getting charged with a DUI can mean serious changes to your life. Besides having to deal with the potential of going to jail and paying fines, there’s also the chance that you could lose your license. Since most of us need a car to get to and from places, and if you’re a truck driver it’s even more important for your livelihood, it’s important to have a legal team to help defend you against these types of charges.

I have over 30 years of experience defending clients in Fishers against DUI charges. Having worked on hundreds of cases, I know what it takes to fight for a favorable outcome in your case, whether that means reducing charges, lowering sentences, protecting your license or seeking an acquittal.

The Difference Between An OWI And A DUI In Indiana

Most people understand that DUI stands for “Driving Under the Influence” and understand that this refers to driving drunk or while under the influence of drugs, but in Indiana the actual charge is labeled OWI, operating while intoxicated. While an Indiana OWI may sound different, the intention is the same so we will refer to them as DUI charges.

Each state classifies a person as driving under the influence based on their BAC or blood alcohol content. BAC is a measure of how much alcohol is in the blood of a person at any given time. For Indiana the BAC limit for driving is .08%. At the point a person’s BAC reaches this level they can be charged with DUI. There are also increasing penalties for a BAC of .15% or higher.

The standard way that a person’s BAC is tested is via a breathalyzer which uses a person’s breath to measure the alcohol in their blood. However, in other cases a person may be charged based on an officer’s observations or a field sobriety test which measures a person’s reflexes and reaction speed.

Do I Have To Take A Field Sobriety Test?

In Indiana, field sobriety tests are not required, however, it may not be in your best interests to refuse one. If you decline a field sobriety test, the officer will likely request you to take a blood alcohol test, which if refused can lead to the loss of your driver’s license. If you refused a test and now face intimidating consequences, you should consult with an experienced criminal defense attorney to discuss your options.

How I Can Help Protect Your Rights

A DUI is a complicated charge that can have life altering consequences. Without legal representation that knows the law and how it works, it is difficult to fight back. I know that a DUI charge is heavily based on evidence and that the legal system doesn’t always get it right. When a breathalyzer isn’t administered, it is difficult to tell for certain if a person is actually intoxicated, simply tired or possibly even suffering from a physical ailment.

This is what is known as “reasonable doubt” in the legal system. If the prosecution cannot prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt, then the charges likely will not stand. I am here to examine the facts of the case and help determine if there is reasonable doubt and do whatever it takes to present it to the court.

Don’t Let a DUI Leave You Stranded, Call Shircliff Law LLC Today!

If you’re facing alcohol-related charges you need a DUI defense attorney that gets results, contact Shircliff Law LLC at 317-279-4894 today.