If an Indiana police officer believes that you are driving while impaired, you will likely be taken into custody. At that point, your car will be searched prior to being towed at your expense. You may also need to pay to be bailed out of jail, and if you fail to consent to a chemical test prior to being taken into custody, your license will be suspended for a year.
Penalties escalate if convicted
Penalties for a first offense include spending up to a year in jail and a fine of up to $5,000. You may also have your license suspended for up to two years or be required to take part in an alcohol education program. If you take part in the alcohol education program, your license may still be suspended for 30 days and restricted for an additional 180 days.
What to know about subsequent offenses
A second conviction for DUI will result in a jail sentence of at least five days. Furthermore, your license will be suspended for at least 180 days and you will face a fine of up to $10,000. A judge may also order you to perform community service and meet other requirements as part of your sentence. If you are convicted of DUI for a third time, your license may be suspended for up to a decade. You will also spend anywhere from 10 days to 11 years in prison depending on the circumstances of your case.
A DUI conviction may cause a significant interruption to your life. However, it may be possible to limit the damage by seeking to have the charge reduced or dropped. This could be done by asserting that the blood or Breathalyzer tests were administered improperly.