What Are the Penalties for Second and Third DUI Offenses in Indiana?

Getting a ride home from the bar these days is a lot easier than it was a decade ago. You don’t have to worry about a designated driver if you don’t want to. You don’t even have to stick to bars or clubs that are close by. All you have to do is click on an app on your cell phone and an Uber or Lyft will arrive within minutes. This begs the question as to why someone would get a second or third DUI. However, people make mistakes and things happen. If something like this happens to you, then it’s a good idea to call a DUI defense lawyer in Indiana as soon as possible.

When you’re arrested for DUI, you will be taken to jail. How long you stay there depends on a few things. First, the prosecutor will look at your criminal history. This includes prior DUIs. If you were arrested and convicted of DUI before, they won’t go so easy on you. Regardless, you can expect to spend at least the night in jail. And if you get arrested on a Friday night or the weekend, you may spend a few nights in there. Your DUI defense lawyer in Indiana won’t be able to get you out of there until your bail hearing. That’s why it’s better to call your attorney sooner rather than later. Give them a head start to talk to the prosecutor. Let them try to find out what kind of evidence the State has against you. This way, they know you want to plea at your first appearance.

If you would like to know more information about what can make a DUI worse, view this page.

Why Are the Penalties Worse for a Subsequent DUI Offense?

When you’re arrested for DUI, one of the first things they’re going to look at is your criminal history. If you have a habit of drinking and driving, it could be a problem. With first offense DUIs, the judge understands that you may have made a stupid mistake. Their hope is that it won’t happen again. When they see you in court for the second or third time, they have to assume you have no respect for the law. Or, they assume you have a substance abuse problem. Either way, they won’t be happy.

The reason there are drinking and driving laws in the first place is to keep the public safe. Whether or not you want to put your own life at stake is one thing. When you decide to get behind the wheel after drinking or using drugs, you’re putting everyone else’s life at risk. The courts have very little tolerance for this. That’s why they take second and third offense DUI very seriously. Your DUI defense lawyer in Indiana is well aware of this. They represent dozens of people every year in the same boat as you.

Are the Fines a Lot Higher for a Third DUI?

When you’re arrested for your first DUI, the fines aren’t that bad. You’ll have to pay a few hundred dollars in court fees. And you may be hit with a relatively small fine. When you’re convicted of a second or third DUI, these fines go way up. The hope is that your DUI defense lawyer in Indiana will be able to get the judge to agree to fines on the lower end of the spectrum.

For a second DUI, the fines can be anywhere up to $10,000. The same is true for a third offense. This is in addition to any court fees you have to pay. On top of these fines, you may have to do community service or attend drug and alcohol classes. This will be at your expense. If the judge orders you to install an ignition interlock device, you’ll be paying for that too. This means that not even considering the jail time you’ll be facing, you can be looking at more than $10,000 out of pocket.

What Kind of Jail Time Are You Facing?

Not only are the fines higher for a second or third offense, but the jail time is much higher too. For a second DUI offense, you’ll be facing anywhere from a 5-day mandatory minimum sentence to up to three (3) years. And, for a third DUI, this sentence can be as high as three years as well. Rather than have this happen, you should call an experienced DUI defense lawyer in Indiana immediately after your arrest.