Being charged with a DUI is a serious offense, and if you cause an accident, your charges could be even worse. A first DUI can lead to $5,000 in fines and a suspended license for up to two years. If you are convicted a second time, you face up to three years in jail, $10,000 in fines, and license suspension. Third or any future convictions carry up to three years in jail, $10,000 in fines, and up to 2 ½ year license suspension.
As a driver, if you plan to get home by some means other than your car, you need to be careful and mindful of your intoxicated state. You can face public intoxication charges if you are drunk and endangering your life, someone else’s life, being disruptive, or harassing others. Public drunkenness alone isn’t enough to be arrested, so you should be fine if you don’t become belligerent or if you’re using public transportation to get home while intoxicated. In Indiana, public intoxication is a class B misdemeanor, carrying a $1000 fine and up to 180 days in jail. So, be careful and create a plan for drinking outside your home.
3 Ways You Can Avoid DUI and Intoxication Charges in Indianapolis
It’s the unofficial start of summer, and whether you’re going out to a concert or another weekend night at your favorite watering hole, drinking outside of your home is always a risk. Many drivers find themselves at a crossroads. What should you do to get home after being out all night? If you leave the bar inebriated without a plan, you could face public intoxication charges. So, you can get in trouble inside or outside your car! Establishing a safe return plan before leaving home will leave you in the best position to have fun without the worry of DUI or public intoxication charges.
- Get Help From a Sober Friend: Do you have a friend who doesn’t plan to drink but wants to hang out with the group? Choosing a sober driver before the fun starts will ensure everyone in your party has a safe, sober ride home.
- Public Transportation & Rideshare: You can take a bus, train, or rideshare service to get home after a few drinks. Paying for a ride is always cheaper than paying to get out of lockup because you were charged with a DUI or public intoxication.
- Crash With a Friend or Book a Hotel: Some activities may seem like a splurge, but it’s financially wiser and more prudent to pay for a hotel space within walking distance to your destination if you plan to have more than a couple of drinks. Penalties and fines from DUI and intoxication charges total more than even a luxury hotel in the area.
No one plans to get drunk when they start drinking and having fun, but it’s always good to plan how you will get home before you are intoxicated. Driving should never be an option.
