If you’ve been arrested in Indiana for DUI / OVWI and you have an out-of-state driver’s license, this creates the potential for all sorts of problems. The big issue is that the U.S. doesn’t have a single administrative body that’s responsible for licensing drivers—it has 50 different ones. Sometimes communication breaks down.
Basically, there are two situations where a person with an out-of-state license can be charged with a DUI / OVWI in Indiana. We’re going to look at both of them.
Situation A: Indiana Resident, Out-of-State License
This usually occurs when someone has moved to Indiana in the recent past. Life is hectic, and you haven’t had the chance to apply for an Indiana license yet. It happens. If you live in Indiana, you’re going to be required to get a State ID or driver’s license. The real danger comes from the State where you used to reside.
If State X gets word of your Indiana DUI / OVWI before you surrender your State X license and apply in Indiana, this can turn into a nightmare scenario. State X will suspend you based on your Indiana arrest, and then Indiana won’t be able to issue you a license because of your State X suspension.
A person in this situation has two BMV agencies that they need to satisfy, instead of just one. This is further complicated by the fact that most state BMVs do not communicate with each other consistently, if at all. In the worst possible case, you may even need to hire a lawyer in State X to handle things on that end.
Situation B: Out-of-State Resident, Out-of-State License
This happens when someone is visiting Indiana—friends, family, work conference—and gets arrested for DUI / OVWI. This is double trouble, because they’ll need an Indiana defense attorney to address the criminal charges, but there’s nothing that the Indiana attorney can do about the driving suspension in State X.
An experienced attorney, however, can still point you in the right direction. Attorney Marc Lopez is a member of the National College of DUI Defense, and that provides him with a network of DUI attorneys in various states.
Make the Right Call
Any DUI / OVWI is potentially life-changing, but an out-of-state arrest is much more complicated and overwhelming. If you’re facing DUI / OVWI charges with an out-of-state license, you need to be proactive. Don’t wait until the case is wrapping up to start worrying about your driving situation.
The attorneys at the Marc Lopez Law Firm love discussing DUI / OVWI law and criminal defense. Cases involving out-of-state licenses are messy, but with the right amount of assistance, they are manageable. Give us a call at 317-632-3642 and remember—always plead the 5th!
