Indianapolis DUI Leaving the Scene Attorney
Being accused of leaving the scene of an accident is an arrestable offense in Indiana. When the allegation involves a collision connected to impaired driving, prosecutors may pursue multiple criminal charges at once. Anyone facing this accusation should take decisive action by hiring an Indianapolis DUI leaving the scene lawyer who understands the state’s criminal laws and how to protect clients from a life-altering conviction.
About Us
When Indianapolis locals face high-stakes criminal charges, they trust The Criminal Defense Team of Baldwin Perry & Wiley P.C. for rigorous, results-driven legal representation. Our award-winning legal team brings more than 100 years of combined courtroom experience. We have helped over 1,000 clients secure favorable outcomes in their cases by focusing on the evidence and casting doubt on the prosecution’s case at every step.
When you work with our law firm, you gain the support of no less than two attorneys and a paralegal who are assigned to your case and remain available 24/7. We have a former prosecutor and five Board-Certified* Criminal Trial Specialists on our team. That background and exceptional level of training can prove crucial for protecting your future and beating your charges. Trust our trial-ready attorneys to provide you with the exceptional support your case deserves.
Understanding DUI and Leaving the Scene Charges in Indiana
Whether a collision occurs along West Washington Street, South Meridian Street, or elsewhere in Indianapolis, any driver involved in that collision is required by law to remain at the scene of the crash long enough to provide identifying information and notify law enforcement when required. Failing to remain at the crash site could result in criminal charges that vary depending on the extent of injury involved in the collision.
When the collision involves a drunk driver, additional charges could apply. In 2022, 32% of fatal collisions involved an impaired driver, and law enforcement can charge someone with drunk driving even when they are arrested well after the collision. In a state with a prison and jail population of roughly 49,000, these charges can result in severe penalties.
Defense Strategies for DUI Leaving the Scene Allegations
In Indianapolis, where the crime rate is 23.71 per 1,000 residents in a given year, drunk driving is a serious accusation that can lead to confinement in jail, heavy fines, and the loss of driving privileges. With the right legal defense strategy, defendants can successfully defend against accusations that they fled the scene of a collision while intoxicated. One approach could focus on whether the defendant knowingly left the scene of the crash.
A defense lawyer could dispute whether the defendant was operating the vehicle or question the reliability of any evidence that suggests the driver was drunk at the time. Any evidence that was obtained without a proper warrant or in violation of the defendant’s rights could be suppressed. The burden of proof falls on prosecutors, and a strong defense could prevent the state from meeting it.
Why You Should Hire a DUI Leaving the Scene Lawyer
If you have been accused of leaving the scene of a collision while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, your first step should be to hire a DUI leaving the scene lawyer. Indiana’s DUI leaving the scene laws can result in multiple criminal charges. When you work with an Indianapolis DUI leaving the scene attorney, you gain the support of a lawyer who understands DUI leaving the scene laws.
The outcome of your DUI leaving the scene case depends, in no small part, on your lawyer’s ability to question the prosecution’s narrative of events. Attorneys know what to look for when scrutinizing evidence. By chipping away at the state’s case, they can secure reduced or dropped charges.
FAQs
Q: Can I Be Charged With Both DUI and Leaving the Scene of an Accident?
A: Yes, in Indiana, prosecutors can file separate charges for operating while intoxicated and leaving the scene of an accident. These are distinct offenses, and the prosecution must prove each charge independently. When someone faces multiple charges, the defendant could be convicted of certain offenses while beating other charges. The goal of any defense attorney is to shield their client from as many convictions as possible.
Q: What Penalties Apply if Someone Was Injured in the Crash?
A: If someone was injured in a collision and the at-fault driver fled the scene of the crash, the negligent driver could face criminal charges. Under Indiana law, leaving the scene of a crash can result in misdemeanor or felony charges, depending on the severity of the injuries tied to that collision. Anyone found to have been intoxicated at the time of the collision could face drunk driving charges as well.
Q: Does It Matter if I Returned to the Scene Later?
A: Returning to the scene of the collision after initially fleeing could be a mitigating factor in your case, but that decision may ultimately be up to law enforcement or prosecutors. State law requires drivers to stop and fulfill certain duties immediately after a collision. Regardless of your decision, seeking advice from an attorney can play a pivotal role in protecting your freedom.
Q: How Can the State Prove I Was the Driver?
A: Prosecutors can build a case based on eyewitness testimony, vehicle records, surveillance footage, or any information obtained from your phone. A strong defense could focus on arguing that you were elsewhere at the time of the collision or that someone else was driving the vehicle at the time of the crash. Beating drunk driving charges could involve separate defense strategies.
Choose a Defense Team With Proven Trial Experience
Being charged with leaving the scene of a collision is a serious accusation. If you are simultaneously defending against drunk driving charges, the effectiveness of your defense strategy could make the difference between walking away from your charges or being confined in jail. The Criminal Defense Team of Baldwin Perry & Wiley P.C. is prepared to provide you with the robust and strategic defense your case deserves.
Our legal team is staffed by a former prosecutor and five Board-Certified* Criminal Trial Specialists. That certification by the National Board of Trial Advocacy places those lawyers at the top of their profession. Don’t risk your future on unproven legal support. Contact our office today so we can review your case and begin preparing your defense.
*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.