If you enter a guilty plea for your DUI in Indianapolis, you may be required to install an ignition interlock device on your car. Your Indianapolis DUI defense lawyer may need to agree to this in order to get you a good plea deal. Sometimes this is the only way for you to get your license back after a DUI conviction.
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What is an Ignition Interlock Device (IID)?
An ignition interlock device is a machine that is hooked up to your car. It works like a portable breathalyzer machine. You’ll have to blow into the tube every time you try to start your car. If the machine detects any alcohol on your breath, the car will turn off and a message will be sent to the maintenance company. This information will then be communicated to the court. Once the judge finds out that you broke the terms of your probation, you’ll be right back in court. Your Indianapolis DUI defense lawyer will have to work double-time to convince the judge to let you keep your license.
Do I Have to Pay for the Device?
As if it’s not bad enough that you have this machine that you have to blow into, you also must pay for it. There’s both an installation fee and a maintenance fee. The court isn’t going to pay this for you. This will end up costing you hundreds or even thousands of dollars over the course of your probation. But it may be worth it if it’s the only thing standing between you having a license and not having a license.
Your Indianapolis DUI Defense Lawyer May Need to Include this in Your Plea
Sometimes, for your Indianapolis DUI defense lawyer to get your charges reduced or dismissed, they must make some concessions. One of these is to have an ignition interlock device on your car. If the prosecutor knows that you must blow into a breathalyzer machine every time they start your car, there’s a lower chance of your drinking and driving. This can help improve public safety. It’s also a deterrent for you to contemplate drinking and driving again.
How Does the Device Know Who’s Blowing into It?
Some people think they can just have a sober friend blow into the device in order to start their car. This may work to get your car started. However, these devices will ask you to retest after you’ve been driving for a bit. Unless your sober friend is sitting there willing to blow into the device the whole time, this isn’t going to work.
The other problem is that the device has a camera that takes a picture each time someone blows into the device. If the court requests a copy of these images, you will be caught. Both you and the person who blew into the machine will be liable to be charged criminally. Your Indianapolis DUI defense lawyer will also have to appear in court with you once again. This time, the judge won’t be so friendly.
What Happens if the Device Detects Alcohol on Your Breath?
When you have an IID installed on your vehicle, you must breathe into a machine before you can start your car. If there’s no alcohol on your breath, you can start your car with no problem. However, if there’s even a hint of alcohol on your breath, the car will not start. This means you won’t be able to go anywhere. You’ll have to wait until the alcohol is out of your system before you’ll be able to drive your vehicle.
Call and Talk to an Experienced Indianapolis DUI Defense Lawyer
If you’re facing DUI charges, you’ll be facing some pretty serious consequences. Not only will you have to pay thousands of dollars in fines, but you may also be facing jail time. Your driver’s license is going to be suspended if it hasn’t already. And you may be required to install an ignition interlock device on your car. This is inconvenient and very expensive.
Unfortunately, if your Indianapolis DUI defense lawyer needs to negotiate a plea bargain with the prosecutor, an IID may be part of your package. This is a tactic used by the courts to cut down on DUI accidents. If you have to blow into a portable breathalyzer every time you start your car, it’s going to cut down on your drinking and driving. If you aren’t sure what kind of penalties you’re facing, you should call and talk to one of our Indianapolis DUI defense lawyers right away.
