Northwest Indiana DUI Attorneys

Facing an OWI/DUI charge is one of the most stressful life events a person can experience. The long-term consequences of a drunk driving conviction are so severe that your life could be altered in ways you never expected.

Because the punishment for drinking and driving in Indiana is so strict, you must contact a qualified OWI/DUI defense attorney immediately. Your lawyer will be your guide through the complicated court system. Your attorney will be the driving force ensuring your rights are protected every step of your legal journey. At the Law Offices of Shane O’Donnell, we have spent years defending drivers facing criminal charges. Our team knows exactly how the state builds its cases and where those cases often fall apart.

Who We Serve

OWI/DUI cases rarely look the same from one client to the next, and our approach reflects that. We regularly represent:

• First-time defendants: You were just arrested or charged with DUI, OWI, or OVI and have no idea what happens next in court or what deadlines you need to meet.
• Drivers facing enhanced charges: Your case involves a prior offense, a high BAC result, a crash, an injury, a child passenger, or another factor that could raise the stakes considerably.
• Drivers worried about their license: You want to know whether your arrest, a chemical test, or a refusal will lead to suspension, restricted driving, or an ignition interlock requirement.
• Drivers questioning the evidence: You suspect something went wrong during the traffic stop, checkpoint, field sobriety test, or breath and blood testing, and you want to know if that evidence can be challenged.

No matter which situation describes you, our team starts by listening. From there, we build a defense strategy around the specific facts of your case.

What Happens After an OWI/DUI Arrest?

Indiana’s process for handling OWI/DUI charges moves quickly, and missing a deadline can cost you options later. Here is a general outline of what to expect:

• Arrest and chemical testing: Police may request a breath or blood test to measure your BAC. Refusing this test triggers an automatic license suspension under Indiana’s implied consent law.
• Initial hearing: You will appear before a judge to hear the formal charges against you and enter a plea.
• Evidence review: Our team examines the traffic stop, testing procedures, and any body camera or dash camera footage for weaknesses in the state’s case.
• Negotiation or trial: Depending on the evidence, we may pursue a reduced charge, a dismissal, or take your case to trial.

Every step carries consequences that extend well beyond the courtroom, from insurance rates to job security. Working with an attorney early can shorten the distance between arrest and resolution.

Possible Penalties of DUI Conviction

If you have been arrested for operating while intoxicated in Indiana, you will face two different types of penalties. The first penalty is that your Indiana driver’s license will be suspended for six months if you take the BAC (breathalyzer test). If you refuse to take the BAC (breathalyzer test), your license will be suspended for 1 year for a first-time OWI/DUI, or 2 years if you have a prior OWI/DUI conviction.

The second penalty you face is that if you are convicted of OWI/DUI, you may be sentenced to time in jail, an alcohol safety program, probation, and community service. You may even have to install an ignition interlock device in your vehicle if this is not your first offense.

In addition to these court-sanctioned penalties, you will face steep consequences in other areas of your life. For example, you may have difficulty finding affordable automobile insurance. Your job could be in jeopardy if your employer requires a clean criminal and/or driving record.

A Knowledgeable DUI Attorney Can Help

Do not despair. You may assume that being charged with OWI/DUI means you will automatically be convicted and harshly sentenced. Nothing could be further from the truth! Attorney Shane O’Donnell will closely examine the facts in your particular case and will determine your best and most effective defenses.

The breath test used by law enforcement to determine your BAC (blood alcohol content) is far from perfect. Many factors, from medical conditions to chewing gum, can produce a false reading. The Law Offices of Shane O’Donnell can expose any flaws in your individual test.

Our law office handles all of the following alcohol-related crimes:

• OWI/DUI/DWI (drunk driving)
• OWI causing death
• Public intoxication

Why Choose the Law Offices of Shane O’Donnell?

Not every defense attorney has stood on the other side of the courtroom. Attorney Shane O’Donnell’s background as a former OWI prosecutor gives our team direct insight into how the state prosecutes these cases, including where breath test results, field sobriety evidence, or arrest procedures may be vulnerable to challenge.

We also give every client the individualized attention their situation deserves. Rather than treating your case as a number, we take time to explain the process, answer your questions, and pursue every available option, whether that means fighting for a dismissal, negotiating a reduced charge, or minimizing the impact on your license.

Protect Your Future After an OWI/DUI Charge

An OWI/DUI charge does not have to define your future, but the choices you make in the days after your arrest matter. From challenging flawed evidence to protecting your driving privileges, our team is ready to put our courtroom experience to work for you.

If you or a loved one is facing an OWI/DUI charge, contact the Law Offices of Shane O’Donnell today for a free consultation. We are ready to review your case and help you understand what comes next.

FAQs About DUI Charges in Indiana