DUI Attorney – Hammond, IN.

If you get caught drunk driving in the state of Indiana, you could face very serious consequences, ranging from a Class A misdemeanor all the way up to a felony offense. If you have been arrested for drunk driving, it is imperative that you call an experienced DUI attorney immediately.  Steve E. Haddad, Attorney At Law has been practicing DUI, OWI & criminal defense since 2000.

Steve E. Haddad, Attorney At Law, represents clients charged for crimes including DUI & drugged driving. He will try to uncover weaknesses in the State’s evidence against you. His goal in each DUI case is to limit the life-changing effect of a DUI conviction by either reducing the charges or having the case dropped completely.

Indiana and Illinois State Law Abbreviations

• DUI – Driving under the influence
• DWI – Driving while intoxicated
• OVWI – Operating a vehicle while intoxicated
• OWI- Operating While Intoxicated
• FST Field sobriety tests
• PBT Portable Breath test
• HGN Horizontal gaze nystagmus

DUI Consequences, Fines & Sentencing

Legal & insurance consequences follow a DUI conviction, including fines, jail time, or license suspension. A DUI conviction is classified as a Class C misdemeanor if it is the person’s first DUI offense, and their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is over .08%, but less than 0.15%. However, the DUI offense is increased to a Class A misdemeanor if the operation of the vehicle while intoxicated endangers a person or if the person’s BAC is over .15%. The penalties given by the court vary depending on the state. In the state of Indiana, a Class C misdemeanor carries a maxim:

• Up to 365 days for a failed test depending on whether the DUI is charged as a Class A misdemeanor or a Class C misdemeanor
• 1 year if there is a refusal to take the chemical test

The BMV Will Reinstate A Driver’s License if the Following Circumstances:

• If the DUI charge is dismissed
• The offender was found not guilty of the DUI charge

The time the offender’s driver’s license was administratively suspended for failing a chemical test will be credited toward the court suspension, but if the defendant is ineligible to receive the credit toward the court suspension if the license suspension because they refused a chemical test.

Steps To Take After A DUI Arrest In Indiana And Illinois

• No statements to the police, just hand the police your license, registration & proof of insurance. While the officer has never spoken to you before, the officer will indicate in the police report that you had slurred speech, most likely, even if that is not true.
• Request an Indiana BMV hearing and/or specialized driving privileges immediately. Speak with your DUI attorney about time restrictions.
• Hire Steve E. Haddad, Attorney At Law to assess the facts of your case before your initial hearing or your next pre-trial conference. It is important to hire Steve soon because the wheels of justice move slowly and it will take time to receive evidence you will request from the state & others.
• Do not assume that you are guilty & do not plead guilty. Most people charged with a DUI do not realize that there are DUI defenses to argue in most cases. DUI’s involve scientifically complex evidence that the police are required to collect following certain procedures. Failure to follow these procedures can lead to inaccurate results. That is why there are procedures. Having Steve. E. Haddad, Attorney At Law reviewing the evidence is the only way to find out if the police and State of Indiana have the evidence necessary to convict you.

Call now for a consultation from an experienced DUI attorney at Steve E. Haddad, Attorney At Law. The initial consultation will assist Steve in gaining insight into your case to learn more about your DUI offense.