OWI Defense
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OWI Defense Lawyer in Lake, Porter and Jasper County, Indiana
Charged with OWI in Northwest Indiana? Here is what happens next, step by step, and how Vollmer Law Group handles your case.
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What an OWI charge means in Indiana
Indiana calls drunk driving OWI, short for operating a vehicle while intoxicated. You can be charged for driving with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher, or for driving while impaired by alcohol, drugs or both.
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What happens after an arrest
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The stop and arrest. Police may ask you to take field sobriety tests and a breath or blood test.
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License suspension. Your license can be suspended soon after the arrest, separate from the criminal case. Ask us right away about your options.
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Initial hearing. A judge reads the charges, sets bond and conditions, and you enter a first plea. We can appear with you.
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Review of the evidence. We review the stop, the tests, any video and the paperwork for mistakes that can weaken the case.
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Motions or negotiation. Depending on what we find, we may ask the court to exclude evidence or negotiate a resolution.
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Resolution. The case ends by dismissal, plea agreement or trial.
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How long an OWI case takes
Many misdemeanor OWI cases resolve within a few months. Felony cases and cases involving an accident or injury usually take longer.
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What it costs
Our flat fee for a misdemeanor OWI is $5,000 for the pre-trial phase. Felony OWI is priced by felony level, and any case involving a death is quoted after a consultation. See our Fee Schedule for details.
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Common questions
Do I need a lawyer for a first OWI?
You are not required to have one, but an OWI affects your license, your insurance and your record. A lawyer can check whether the stop and the tests were handled correctly.
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Will I lose my license?
A suspension can happen even before the case is decided. What applies to you depends on your test result and your driving record. Call us as soon as you are released.
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Can an OWI be reduced or dismissed?
Sometimes. It depends on the evidence in your case, and no lawyer can promise an outcome.
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What if I refused the breath or blood test?
Refusing a test can bring its own license consequences. Tell us at your consultation so we can review your options.
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Where do you handle OWI cases?
We handle OWI cases in Lake, Porter and Jasper County courts in Northwest Indiana.
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What should I do right now?
Write down what happened while you still remember it, do not discuss your case on social media, and call (219) 587-5641 to schedule a consultation.
Call (219) 587-5641 to schedule your OWI consultation.
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