DUI Attorney

If you have been arrested for driving under the influence, your first phone call should be to a DUI attorney. A DUI charge is a serious offense, particularly if it is a second or third arrest. Courts come down hard these days on repeat DUI offenders.

That’s why it’s important to mount an effective and strategic defense. There may have been extenuating circumstances, corrupted evidence, flawed testing or any number of points upon which your DUI attorney can rebut the prosecutor’s claims.

You don’t have to go it alone. A skilled and experienced DUI lawyer is your best advocate and understands that you may have been wrongly accused. The DUI lawyers at Church, Langdon, Lopp, Banet Law in New Albany, Indiana, are aggressive and thoughtful in building a defense for each and every client.

---

For a free initial consultation about your situation, contact one of our DUI attorneys at (812) 725-8224.

---

Drunk driving is a serious offense, and anyone charged with a DUI needs a strategic and aggressive defense. Call us today at (812) 725-8224.

What Can a DUI Lawyer Do for Me?

A skilled DUI attorney can work hard to find flaws in the prosecutor’s case and inconsistencies in witnesses’ accounts of the event in question. We will review police reports, procedures and all evidence to determine whether any misconduct by authorities occurred. We have handled hundreds of DUI cases at Church, Langdon, Lopp, Banet Law, and we know how to aggressively challenge these types of charges. Don’t rely on an inexperienced or overworked lawyer from the public defender’s office when your driving privileges and, in some cases, your freedom are at stake.

How Do I Choose the Right DUI Attorney?

It’s important to select a DUI lawyer who has a track record of success and who will give your case his or her full attention. The best way to find this out is by reviewing a law firm’s website. Take a moment to read the attorneys’ bios – are they experienced and authoritative?  Have they been recognized as trustworthy among their peers? Read the reviews posted by other clients – are they happy with the legal services they received, or did they feel like they were a low priority on the law firm’s list? Not all DUI attorneys are created equal, and you want to make sure that you hire the best. If you would like to ask questions and learn more about the skilled DUI lawyers at Church, Langdon, Lopp, Banet Law, give us a call at (812) 725-8224.  The initial conversation is free.

What is the Blood Alcohol Content for Legal Intoxication?

A blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08% or higher allows a driver to be charged with DUI. For underage drinkers who drive, the BAC can be lower in a DUI case, plus the young offender could face additional charges for the separate crime of underage drinking.

How Much Does a DUI Lawyer Cost?

Costs may vary, depending on the complexity of a case and whether there was property damage, injuries, death or repeat offenses involved. Simple, straightforward cases cost less to defend than do complicated cases involving more than one vehicle, multiple witnesses or illegal drugs in addition to alcohol. A knowledgeable DUI attorney can give you a cost estimate after an initial discussion about the specifics of your case.

Why is Church, Langdon, Lopp, Banet Law, New Albany DUI Attorney the Best Choice?

Our attorneys live in the communities they serve. They go to the same grocery stores, attend the same churches and belong to the same clubs that many local residents do. At Church, Langdon, Lopp, Banet Law in Floyd County, we know that our reputation is at stake with every case we handle. We take pride in showing respect and compassion to each of our clients, and we listen closely to what they have to say. We return phone calls promptly, answer all questions you ask and explain every step in the legal process. Client service and satisfaction are very important to us. To learn more about our commitment to every client, call us at (812) 725-8224.

At Church, Langdon, Lopp, Banet Law, we care about each and every client. We know they have families, and we know that facing a legal charge can be a confusing and troubling experience. We show compassion to every individual.

What Are Potential Defenses Against a DUI Charge?

An experienced attorney who has handled many DUI cases is well-versed in potential legal defenses for a DUI charge and can formulate a defense that is right for you. Potential defenses include:

Affirmative Defenses to DUI Charges

• Necessity –When a person must drive in order to prevent a “greater evil.” For example, a child was seriously injured while playing in the yard and the driver is rushing the child to the ER to save the child’s life. The driver must prove there was no other option and the “greater evil” they were trying to avoid was more severe than the potential harm caused by a DUI.
• Mistake of Fact –When a person has an honest belief that he or she is not intoxicated.
• Involuntary Intoxication –When a person drank alcohol without his or her knowledge. For example, a person attended a party at a neighbor’s house and the fruit beverage served was “spiked” with liquor, unbeknownst to the person.
• Duress –When the defendant drives to avoid serious death or injury. For example, a carjacker threatens force if the driver doesn’t comply.
• Entrapment –When a defendant can prove that an officer of the law encouraged the motorist to drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs for the sole purpose of having cause to arrest the driver.

Common Drunk Driving Defenses

• Improper Stop –A very common defense, this argument states that the arresting officer lacked probable cause to make the traffic stop in the first place and therefore would never have been able to find evidence to charge the driver with DUI.
• Faulty Field Sobriety or Portable Breathalyzer Test –Under this defense, an arrest can be ruled improper if it was based on results from a flawed field sobriety test or a malfunctioning breathalyzer.
• Accused Was Not the Driver –This less common defense, questions whether the defendant was even the person driving at the time of the arrest. For example, a driver and passenger may have traded places before the traffic stop.
• Administration of Blood Test –In this defense, an attorney would raise questions about whether a blood test was tampered with, lost or mishandled in the chain of custody.

What Are Potential Punishments for a DUI Conviction?

The severity of a punishment or sentence with a DUI conviction depends on several factors, including whether it was a first or repeat offense, whether an innocent person was injured and whether there were any other complicating circumstances.  For example, first-time DUI offenders typically receive lighter sentences than do repeat offenders.  If convicted of a DUI, a person could face any of the following:

• Suspension of driver’s license and loss of driving privileges
• Hefty fines
• Jail or prison time
• Probation
• Community service
• Home incarceration
• Victim restitution
• Mandatory attendance at an alcohol education program
• Enrollment in an alcohol addiction medical treatment program.

Other Consequences

There may be additional consequences from a DUI conviction, including a drastic increase in the cost of your car insurance or being dropped altogether by your insurance company, being banned from applying for jobs such as a bus driver or truck driver, and being sued in civil court for any property damage or bodily injury you may have caused.

---

DUI charges do not have to derail your life .Church, Langdon, Lopp, Banet Law is here to help. For a free initial consultation, call us at (812) 725-8224.

---

If You Think You Have a Problem with Alcohol

If you have repeatedly experienced trouble and serious consequences when drinking, you may have a problem with alcohol dependency. It is not something to be ashamed of, because alcohol addiction is a disease, not a moral failing.  Proactively seeking medical help or enrolling in an alcohol addiction treatment program can be the first step toward a fresh start. Also, voluntarily seeking treatment could favorably affect the outcome of your legal case. For additional information about 12-step meetings and other treatment programs, you can talk to your doctor, local community service organizations or churches, and look for additional information online.

Will My Family Be Affected by My DUI Arrest?

Your family members face no legal proceedings or responsibility because of your DUI arrest. However, they may face emotional turmoil or indirect financial consequences arising out of a DUI if you are convicted, fined, jailed or your license is revoked.

Call a DUI Attorney at Church, Langdon, Lopp, Banet Law Today

If you have been charged with a DUI, the attorneys at Church, Langdon, Lopp, Banet Law can help.  The consequences can be high for anyone who is convicted of a DUI, and that’s why you need a powerful defense. Our DUI attorneys have years of experience representing clients in these cases and we have a track record of success. For a free initial consultation about your situation, contact one of our DUI attorneys at (812) 725-8224. You don’t have to go it alone.

Attorney Marc Tawfik

Marc is a Kentucky native, having lived and worked in the state the majority of his life. He is a licensed attorney in Kentucky and Indiana, and his focus is on trial work, including civil litigation and criminal defense. He has represented a wide variety of clients, and he is committed to putting his clients’ needs first. [ Attorney Bio ]