How to Get a Hardship License in Lebanon After a Boone County OWI Arrest

When wondering how to get a hardship license in Lebanon after a Boone County OWI arrest, you need to speak with an experienced attorney. For many individuals, our daily lives revolve around our ability to drive. Certain OWI charges can take this privilege away and have devastating consequences. Whether your OWI arrest happened in New Brunswick or along West Noble Street in Lebanon, The Criminal Defense Team is here to protect your driving privileges.

What Is a Hardship License in Boone County?

In many cases, an individual charged with an OWI may have their driver’s license revoked or suspended. Having your driving privileges taken away, even for a short amount of time, can have devastating results on your personal and professional life.

In fact, for individuals with convictions and criminal records, the unemployment rate is 30%. In 2024 alone, around 804,926 Americans were arrested for suspected drinking under the influence or operating while intoxicated. According to state law, you can be arrested for an OWI if you are found to be behind the wheel when your blood alcohol content level, or BAC, is at or above 0.08%.

Thankfully, in certain situations, you may be able to request a hardship license. In Indiana, a hardship license is not a separate driver’s license, but rather a modification made to your suspended license. It allows you the right to drive under very specific and limited circumstances.

Most often, a hardship license allows you to drive in order to commute to and from work, take children to school, exchange custody for parenting time, attend necessary court dates, or go to essential medical appointments. In many cases, your car may be equipped with an Ignition Interlock Device, or IID, that requires you to perform a personal breathalyzer before the car can start. IIDs are known to reduce repeat offenses by 70%.

In order to seek a hardship license in Lebanon or anywhere in Boone County, you must be able to match the various eligibility requirements. According to state law, you are only allowed to seek these driving privileges if you possessed a valid driver’s license at the time of your OWI offense.

Steps to Securing a Hardship License

If you are eligible to seek a hardship license in Lebanon, there are strict guidelines you need to follow. An attorney is here to help you draft and file your official petition and can help you collect the documents you are required to submit. You need to include a range of personal information along with your petition, including your address, name, and date of birth. You also need to outline the grounds for relief and why you are seeking this license.

Additionally, you need to file your petition with the correct court. If your OWI took place in Lebanon, Indiana, then you need to file your petition with the Boone County Circuit Court. Once the petition is drafted and filed, it is served to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles and its prosecuting attorney.

Once your petition for a hardship license has been granted, there are strict regulations that you need to follow while driving on this unique permit. If you do not follow these regulations, then your hardship license can be revoked. These requirements and regulations include:

• Keep a copy of the court order that granted you the permit with you when you are driving.
• Keep proof of your future financial responsibility insurance.
• Any time a police officer requires you to show the court order that granted your hardship license, show it to them.

About The Criminal Defense Team

With over 100 years of combined experience, The Criminal Defense Team is here to serve you. Any time of the day or night, a lawyer is on-call 24/7 to hear your side of the story and protect your rights. When you work with our Indiana firm, you are assigned at least two lawyers and a paralegal to handle your case. Trust us to protect your driving privileges following an OWI, no matter what.

Attorneys Andrew Baldwin, Kathie Perry, Maxwell Wiley, Kelly Pyle, and Michael C. Cunningham are Board-Certified* Criminal Trial Specialists, as certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Find out why having a Board-Certified* Criminal Trial Specialist as your defense lawyer is important here. We are proud to say that out of the six Board-Certified* Criminal Trial Specialists in Indiana, five work for The Criminal Defense Team.

FAQs

Why Should I Hire an OWI Lawyer to Help With a Hardship License?

When you are seeking to obtain a hardship license, having an OWI lawyer on your side is not legally required, but their representation and counsel can make all the difference when it comes to a successful petition. There are a number of common mistakes individuals make when petitioning for a hardship license. These mistakes may delay your petition or cause the courts to deny it. An attorney can protect you from making these mistakes.

How Long Can It Take to Get a Hardship License in Indiana?

In Indiana, seeking a hardship license can take several months. The exact timeline involved can depend on the application process and how you are able to meet the necessary requirements. There are a range of factors that can impact your overall wait time, including court backlogs, availability, and whether mistakes are made on your original petition.

Do I Have to Pay for an IID Installation in Indiana?

Yes, in Indiana, you are legally required to cover the costs of installing an Ignition Interlock Device in your vehicle. While this can be frustrating for many individuals, obtaining a hardship license and being required to use an IID before driving can actually work to your benefit and protect you from making additional mistakes that could harm your driving privileges.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire an OWI Lawyer?

To hire an OWI lawyer to assist you in securing a hardship license, the costs can vary based on the factors of your case and the experience, skill, level, and education of your attorney. Understand, however, that despite the costs, securing a hardship license serves your interests as it can help you avoid the financial hardships that come when you lose your ability to drive.

Hire an OWI Lawyer Today

When you need to hire an OWI lawyer, contact The Criminal Defense Team of Baldwin Perry & Wiley, P.C. A Board-Certified* Criminal Trial Specialist is here to serve you today.