Terre Haute OWI Attorney

Administrative Hearing

Pursuant to Indiana law, an individual has 10 days to file for an administrative hearing from the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. If you fail to file for a hearing within 10 days, your right to the hearing is lost, and your driver's license in Indiana is automatically suspended for the applicable statutory time frame. In order to maintain your right to an administrative hearing, it is imperative that you submit your request to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles within 10 days.

What happens if you are arrested for OWI (Operating While Intoxicated) in Terre Haute, Indiana:

Indiana drinking and driving arrests result in the police officer in Terre Haute selecting a choice of blood, breath or urine testing to determine the alcohol content of the person arrested for OWI (DUI). The person arrested for drinking and driving in Indiana has no right to select the test, nor any right to consult with an OWI criminal defense attorney before deciding whether or not to submit to the test.

Under Indiana law, once you have been charged with violating the OWI statute, the state initiates two simultaneous, yet separate legal actions against you. The Criminal Action is in response to the ticket that was issued to you, while the Administrative Action is brought against your driver's license in Indiana by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. While both actions can result in the revocation of your Indiana driving privileges, it is crucial to not forget that there may be other penalties to think about and each action must be handled separately.

OWI Penalties for First Time Offenders

• Deferment - Deferment is only available to first time OWI offenders in Terre Haute, Indiana. This option dismisses the OWI charges against the offender, provided that the offender finishes an alcohol evaluation and treatment program successfully.
• OWI Chemical Test Refusal - If you refuse to submit to a test when requested by law enforcement officers, it will result in the revocation of Indiana driving privileges for 1 (ONE) year.

OWI Subsequent Offenses

Penalties are increasingly more severe for any additional OWI violations. Due to the complexity of OWI laws, you may not be aware of your rights and the potential defenses available to your case. An experienced and competent attorney can guide you through this emotionally challenging process. Please contact a Terre Haute, Indiana OWI defense attorney for a fast and free consultation.