Is OWI and OWI per se really such a big deal?

When you woke up this morning, the last thing you thought you’d be facing is an OWI charge. And yet, now you are here, sitting in a cell, awaiting bail, wondering just how you could have gotten here.

Don’t worry. You aren’t alone. Thousands of people across the country are looking in the mirror right now, wondering just how they could have been so foolish as to wind up at the wrong end of an OWI or OWI per se charge and trying to figure out exactly how they are going to deal with it. Unfortunately, for many, the shock of the arrest will wear off and they will begin taking the charge much less seriously than they should. But OWI and OWI per se are no joking matter.

The truth is that, misdemeanor or not, OWI or Operating While Intoxicated is a huge deal. And the penalties for being found guilty of such a crime are huge. OWI is considered a progressive crime meaning that for each conviction subsequent to the first one the penalties become harsher and harsher in an attempt to prevent future infractions. In some cases and in most states, subsequent convictions can actually be moved up to a felony status, which can carry with it significant penalties and consequences. Here is what you need to know about OWI.

The first thing that you need to know is that you can’t go it alone. You need competent, experienced legal representation in order to ensure that you receive the least damaging penalty in the event that you are held responsible for your actions. In some cases, experienced lawyers are able to help their clients avoid having to receive any penalties at all in exchange for payment of a few fines and a promise to never do it again. However, this type of dispensation is usually reserved for first time offenders only.

The second thing you should know is that OWI cases are expensive. Unlike civil cases, criminal cases require you to pay for your legal services in advance of receiving services. In addition to the expensive legal services you will have to pay for, you should be expecting to pay a high fine as well as have to pay for the towing of your vehicle and any stint in rehab you are sentenced to. Of course, then you will have to factor in the cost of public transportation options since you will most likely have to surrender your driver’s license for a year or more.

Last but not least, an OWI arrest and conviction can cost you your job. Many employers cannot afford to have someone on the payroll that has broken such a high-profile law. They will find a reason to encourage you to move on to another job or fire you altogether, depending on the type of work you do. And, having a OWI can make it difficult to find another job, especially if you rely on your ability to drive to do your job. One reason is because you are likely to lose driving privileges when you are convicted of OWI. Secondly, it is extremely difficult to secure the type of insurance you need to have in order to operate a vehicle in accordance with financial responsibility laws.

Indiana Arrests for OWI and OWI per se are on the rise. Don’t become another statistic.

Indiana Arrests for OWI and OWI per se are a very big deal. Visit today to see how it can affect you now and long into the future.

Marchelle Lamaster