Indianapolis OWI Third Offense Felony Lawyer
One OWI offense is bad enough. Add subsequent offenses to the mix and you’re looking at a host of penalties. Being under the influence of drugs or alcohol while driving is never a good idea. It’s a dangerous situation for all involved.
While OWI offenses are common, they are frowned upon and assigned harsh penalties, such as jail time, fines, and license suspension. It can be extremely challenging to get the legal system to give you a favorable outcome.
With Rigney Law LLC on your side, you’ll get the best defense possible. Contact our Indianapolis OWI third offense felony lawyer today to see how we can help you.
Understanding the Penalties
A third OWI offense is a felony. It is a Level 6 felony if the previous OWI offense was within the last five years. A person can also be charged with a Level 6 felony if they are at least 21 years old, had a BAC of 0.15% or more, or had a passenger under the age of 18 years. The penalties for a Level 6 felony include up to 2.5 years in jail as well as a $10,000 fine.
A third OWI conviction may be elevated to a Level 5 felony if a previous OWI conviction led to serious injury or death. The penalties include up to six years in jail and a fine of up to $10,000.
All third OWI convictions require a minimum sentence of either 10 days in jail or 480 hours of community service. The jail sentence cannot be suspended or reduced and a defendant is not entitled to earn good-time credit. The entire sentence must be served within six months, but can be served in intervals of 48 hours.
In addition, there is a mandatory license suspension imposed on the defendant. For a Level 6 felony, a person’s driver’s license can be suspended for up to 2.5 years. For a Level 5 felony, it can be suspended for up to six years.
The defendant’s vehicle can also be seized by the court if there have been at least two OWI convictions in the past five years. The defendant won’t be allowed to register the vehicle in their name until they have a valid driver’s license.
There’s another hoop that OWI offenders must jump through. Those offending for the third time must undergo an alcohol and drug assessment. If the assessment indicates that the person is abusing drugs or alcohol, then they are required to complete a treatment program.
Contact Rigney Law LLC Today
If you’re wondering when you’ll get a felony charge for a OWI offense in Indiana, the third time’s a charm. Felony charges are severe, though, so make sure you get the right legal help.
Count on the team at Rigney Law LLC to guide you through the legal process. Our Indianapolis OWI third offense felony lawyer can handle your case from beginning to end. Schedule a consultation by calling (317) 623-0989 or filling out the online form.
