The Legal Limit for Alcohol in Indiana
One of the most common questions that our Indiana drunk driving lawyers get asked is: “What is the legal limit for alcohol in Indiana?” Well, the answer is that, like most states, the legal limit for alcohol in Indiana is .08% blood alcohol concentration (more commonly known as BAC) or breath alcohol concentration (or BrAC), which can be measured using a breathalyzer. Furthermore, the legal limit for commercial drivers operating commercial vehicles, like a truck or bus, is even lower at .04% BAC. In addition, a person may also be charged with DUI if law enforcement has determined that they are operating a vehicle in a state of “intoxication.” Police officers make this determination by looking for several indicators, including, but not limited to, slurred speech, visible swerving, or the failure of a field sobriety test.
When it comes to questions like “what is the legal limit for alcohol in Indiana?” or “what are the rules surrounding DUI checkpoints in Indiana?” the attorneys at Keffer Hirschauer LLP would gladly speak with you and further explain Indiana drunk driving laws. Give us a call today at 317-857-0160 or schedule a free consultation by completing our online contact form.
Understanding the Legal Limit for Alcohol in Indiana
While it’s completely a person’s own choice to consume as much alcohol as they would like in the privacy of their own home, the moment they put a key into the ignition of the vehicle while legally intoxicated, it becomes a criminal offense. Therefore, it’s important for everyone to have a basic understanding of how easily a person can become legally intoxicated. While everyone’s body is different, and there are many factors that affect alcohol absorption and its effects, the graphic below does provide a general idea of how many drinks consumed in an hour could lead to legal intoxication and what the side effects of intoxication may be.
The Seriousness of Driving While Over the Legal Limit for Alcohol in Indiana
While many people wonder “what is the legal limit for alcohol in Indiana?” the better question to ask is “how serious of a crime is drunk driving in Indiana?” It’s important to understand that if you choose to drive drunk in Indiana, you may face criminal charges ranging from a Class A to Class C misdemeanor. If the offense warrants an even more harsh penalty, you may even be charged with a felony DUI in Indiana.
In Indiana, the seriousness of a drunk driving offense is determined by several factors, including:
- The blood alcohol concentration (BAC), indicating the amount of alcohol in your system (breath or blood)
- The presence of illegal drugs in your system
- Previous convictions for OWI in Indiana or elsewhere
- The presence of underage passengers in the vehicle at the time of the arrest
- An alcohol-related accident that results in the serious injury or death of another person or a law enforcement animal
One should also note that Indiana DUI penalties become more severe with repeat offenses. In situations like this, you run the risk of being labeled a Habitual Vehicular Substance Offender and may have an additional sentence added to the end of the sentence for the original offense.
Need to Speak with an Indiana Drunk Driving Attorney Today?
If you’ve been charged with driving a car while being over the legal limit for alcohol in Indiana, it’s best to speak with an attorney as soon as possible. While the penalties for drunk driving can be harsh, they can also be argued down, minimized, and in some cases, dismissed altogether. The drunk driving attorneys at Keffer Hirschauer LLP have developed dynamic and effective defense strategies that give each and every one of our DUI clients the best possible chance at an optimal outcome of their case. Furthermore, our team is led by two former deputy prosecutors, Bradley Keffer and Tom F. Hirschauer III, both members of The National Advocacy for DUI Defense, LLC, the National College of DUI Defense, and former Fatal Alcohol Crash Team (FACT) prosecutors. This experience provides our clients with invaluable insight into how best to protect their interests.
Don’t resign yourself to receiving the maximum penalty. Call Keffer Hirschauer LLP today at 317-857-0160 or complete our online contact form to schedule a free consultation. Whether you need a Tipton County DUI Lawyer, Carmel DUI Lawyer, or one that works all over the state, our team is ready to begin working on your case as soon as possible and will work urgently to build an effective defense strategy aimed at reducing or dismissing the charges against you.
