Traffic Offense Attorney in Indiana
Helping Indiana Residents Facing Misdemeanor or Felony Traffic Violations
Traffic-based misdemeanors make life more difficult for those who are charged with them — that’s doubly so for felonies. If you find yourself charged with a misdemeanor or felony after a traffic offense, it is important you know exactly what you’re dealing with before you take action.
Many people first learn about the criminal consequences of a traffic stop when they receive a citation or are taken into custody after a crash. A criminal traffic charge in Indiana is very different from a simple ticket that can be paid by mail because it can lead to a criminal record, a suspended license, higher insurance costs, and even jail time. Speaking with a traffic violation attorney in Indiana early in the process can help you understand whether you are facing an infraction, a misdemeanor, or a felony and what that means for your job, your ability to drive, and your long-term record.
Got a speeding ticket or traffic citation? Our Indiana traffic offense lawyer can fight to reduce points, fines, or suspensions. Call (219) 300-5204 or contact us today-
What Traffic Offenses Are Considered Felonies in Indiana?
As with misdemeanors, there are quite a few traffic offenses that may earn a felony designation. There are two major ways to make a traffic offense a felony: repeat offenses and causing an injury, death, or significant destruction of property. Here are a couple of examples of offenses that may otherwise be misdemeanors if it weren’t for the offense causing another party to be injured:
- Driving with a suspended or revoked license. If a person causes an injury while they are driving with a suspended or revoked license, it is a Level 6 felony. If the driver is convicted of causing a death, the felony moves up to Level 5.
- Hit-and-run. Depending on the severity of the accident, performing a “hit-and-run” could land you with a felony charge. This action is significantly more likely to receive a felony designation rather than a misdemeanor if another person was injured or killed in the accident.
It is very important that if you are charged with a felony, you contact a criminal defense lawyer. A legal team will sit down with you to discuss the details of your case to see if they can help you lessen the charge or level of the felony, bring it down to a misdemeanor, or remove it entirely.
Indiana law also treats some alcohol- and drug-related driving offenses as felonies based on factors such as prior convictions, a high blood alcohol concentration, or driving with children in the vehicle. Leaving the scene of an accident involving serious bodily injury, fleeing law enforcement in a vehicle, and operating a vehicle while intoxicated, causing death are examples of traffic-related conduct that can lead to felony charges in Indiana courts. A traffic ticket lawyer in Indiana can review the charging information, police reports, and any crash investigation to identify whether the State has properly classified your alleged conduct as a felony or whether there may be room to challenge that level of charge.
What Traffic Offenses Are Considered Misdemeanors in Indiana?
Examples of traffic misdemeanors in Indiana include, but are not limited to:
- Driving Under the Influence (DUI). The first time someone is charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated, it is considered a Class A misdemeanor.
- Reckless driving. This is considered to be a Class B misdemeanor in Indiana. This is only if there was little to no injury caused to others or destruction of property. What falls under the category of “reckless driving” can be anything from driving too slowly or too fast, passing in a no-passing zone, or other unsafe maneuvers.
- Driving without a license. In Indiana, this charge is considered to be a Class C misdemeanor.
- Driving with a suspended or revoked license. This is considered to be a Class A misdemeanor if your license was suspended as a result of a previous misdemeanor or felony, or if this is the second conviction of driving with a suspended or revoked driver’s license.
- Aggressive driving. There are many actions that may be considered aggressive driving, which determines the class of misdemeanor you are charged with. This could be anything from following another vehicle too closely to failing to obey a traffic light.
While these charges may seem minor compared to a felony, an Indiana misdemeanor still carries the risk of jail time, fines, probation, and a permanent criminal record. A conviction can also trigger consequences with the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles, including points on your driving record and a possible suspension if you accumulate too many points in a short period of time. Working with a traffic attorney in Indiana gives you the opportunity to explore options such as negotiating for reduced charges, seeking alternative sentencing, or contesting the facts of the stop or arrest so that you can protect both your record and your driving privileges.
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How Do Traffic Misdemeanors Work in Indiana?
Your basic moving violations and speeding tickets are more often than not called infractions. These include, but are not limited to, littering, not wearing a seatbelt, and minor traffic violations. However, at a certain point of severity, those traffic offenses become misdemeanors. This often happens when there is a potential for or result of injury or destruction of property involved with the offense. In Indiana, misdemeanors are broken up into classes: Class A, Class B, and Class C misdemeanors. Class A misdemeanors are the more serious type. Each class of misdemeanors carries with it a maximum punishment.
When you receive a criminal citation in Indiana, your case will usually be set for an initial hearing in the local city or county court where the alleged offense occurred. At that hearing, the judge will advise you of the charge, the potential penalties, and your rights, including the right to an attorney and a trial. A traffic violation lawyer in Indiana can help you understand whether it makes sense to admit responsibility, seek a negotiated resolution, or request a trial date so that evidence can be challenged. Because each misdemeanor class has its own maximum jail time and fine, having a clear picture of your options before you make any decisions can prevent costly mistakes that might affect your driver’s license and your criminal record for years.
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Class A MisdemeanorUp to one year of jail time and/or up to $5,000 in fines.
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Class B MisdemeanorUp to 180 days of jail time and/or up to $1,000 in fines.
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Class C MisdemeanorUp to 60 days of jail time and/or up to $500 in fines.
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Everyone that I have spoken with at Alvarez has been polite, positive, & professional. These interactions have inspired my confidence in this firm. It’s reassuring when you’re not well to have a team like this on your side. My attorney, Steven Alvarez a great communicator, very helpful, and kind. He has already been a huge help. I’m grateful I have Alvarez Law working on my behalf.- Lilly P.
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This is a firm you want on your side. They did an amazing job on my car accident case. They really are 24-7. Brandon answered all my questions promptly even on the weekends. Steven got me an amazing settlement. He is the man! He even got my medicals lowered. This is a powerhouse lawyer you want on your side.- Moses V.
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The office staff was always polite answering the phones. The paralegals are always there to answer my questions through email or by phone calls it may have taken time to get back to me but just had to be patient. The legal secretary called to go over and make sure I understood what and how it was going to be finalized. Attorney Steve Alvarez not settling and making sure he went the extra mile for me.- Brandy F.
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Highly Recommend Alvarez Law!- David L.
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Very pleased with this law firm Brandon has kept me updated throughout my case. Brandon and Nicole are Rock Star's. I would definitely encourage anyone to use this law firm. If you want a Rock Star lawyer then Brandon Morford at Alvarez Law that's the guy you need.- James C.
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How Do Felonies Work in Indiana?
Misdemeanors turn into felonies when the offense is deemed severe or in the case of prior convictions on your criminal record. Felonies are broken up into six levels rather than classes.
A felony charge may also result in the suspension of a license for up to 10 years. All of the felony levels have “advisory sentences,” which are essentially guidelines for courts to use to decide how long to make a sentence. Each level’s advisory sentence is around the halfway point between the range of minimum and maximum years in jail. For example, the advisory sentence for a Level 1 Felony is 30 years, which is the halfway point between the 20-year minimum and the 40-year maximum. Sometimes a felony that starts off as one level can be brought down to a lower level with the proper help and court representation. Level 6 felonies may even be brought down to a misdemeanor. If you find yourself with a traffic offense case on your hands, be sure to work with an experienced and expert team of lawyers such as Alvarez Law to help ensure the best possible outcome for your situation.
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Level 1 Felony20-40 years and/or up to $10,000 in fines.
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Level 2 Felony10-30 years and/or up to $10,000 in fines.
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Level 3 Felony3-16 years and/or up to $10,000 in fines.
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Level 4 Felony2-12 years and/or up to $10,00 in fines.
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Level 5 Felony1-6 years and/or up to $10,00 in fines.
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Level 6 Felony6 months-2.5 years and/or up to $10,00 in fines.
How We Defend Indiana Traffic Violation Cases
Every traffic case is different, but there are common steps that can make a real difference in the outcome. When you come to Alvarez Law Offices with a traffic-related charge, we start by obtaining the documents the State plans to use against you, including the ticket, probable cause affidavit, and any accident report. Our traffic violation lawyers in Indiana also look at your driving history from the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles because prior violations can affect both the possible penalties and how a prosecutor views your case.
Once we understand the facts, we can analyze whether the stop, search, or arrest complied with Indiana and federal law and whether there are weaknesses in the State’s evidence. That might include questions about how field sobriety tests were given, whether radar equipment was properly used, or whether there are witnesses or video that tell a different story than the police report. By preparing cases this way, we put ourselves in a stronger position to negotiate or, if needed, to take a firm stance in court.
Consequences of Indiana Traffic Violations
Many people think of a traffic case as something that can be paid and forgotten, but in Indiana, the consequences can be long-lasting.
- Immediate penalties: In addition to fines and court costs, a conviction can add points to your license, trigger an automatic suspension, or result in mandatory jail time for certain offenses.
- Professional impact: The effects of a conviction often extend beyond the courtroom. Professional drivers may risk losing a commercial license.
- Employment considerations: Many employers review driving records or criminal history when making hiring or promotion decisions.
- Insurance consequences: Insurance companies may raise premiums after traffic convictions, particularly for offenses involving alcohol, reckless driving, or repeat violations.
Understanding these potential outcomes before deciding how to handle a ticket or criminal charge can help protect your future, not just resolve today’s problem.
What Can Alvarez Law Offices Do for Your Traffic Violation Case?
Alvarez Law Offices has taken the helm for countless cases for people just like you. We are confident in our ability to help you seek the reprieve you need, which is why we offer a “no‑win‑no‑fee” guarantee. Our team serves clients throughout Indiana and Illinois from multiple offices across both states. There is a defense for every case, and yours is no different.
- Initial consultation: When you contact our firm about a traffic-related charge, we take the time to listen to what happened and review your citation or charging documents.
- Legal explanation: We explain how Indiana traffic laws apply to your specific situation.
- Local court insight: Because we handle cases in courts across Northwest Indiana and other parts of the state, we understand how local judges and prosecutors tend to approach different types of violations.
- Strategic guidance: Our local knowledge allows us to provide practical guidance about what to expect and to build a strategy focused on protecting your license and limiting the impact on your work and family life.
- Ongoing communication: Our traffic violation lawyers and support staff stay in close communication with you throughout your case, so you are never left wondering what comes next.
- Case support: We help track important court dates, gather documents such as driving records or proof of insurance, and prepare you for any hearings where your presence is required.
By combining day‑to‑day support with knowledge of Indiana traffic courts, we work to make a stressful process more manageable while providing strong advocacy at every stage.
From speeding tickets to reckless driving, our Indiana traffic offense lawyer can help. Call (219) 300-5204 or contact Alvarez Law Offices online to discuss your case for free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a Traffic Misdemeanor in Indiana Stay on My Record Forever?
In Indiana, a traffic misdemeanor will generally remain on your criminal record unless it is later reduced, dismissed, or expunged. Indiana law does provide a process to seek expungement after a waiting period if you meet certain conditions, such as completing your sentence and avoiding new offenses. The rules are technical, so it is wise to review your situation with a traffic violation attorney before assuming a conviction can be cleared.
Do I Have to Appear in Court for an Indiana Traffic Ticket?
Some minor infractions can be resolved by paying a ticket, but many traffic-related charges require at least one court appearance. If your ticket indicates a mandatory appearance or if you are facing a misdemeanor or felony, you should plan to appear or have an attorney appear on your behalf. Failing to appear can lead to additional consequences, including a warrant or a license suspension.
Can a Traffic Conviction Affect My Indiana Driver’s License?
Yes, certain traffic convictions add points to your driving record, and accumulating too many points in a short period can lead to a suspension by the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Some offenses, such as operating while intoxicated or driving while suspended, can carry specific suspension periods set by statute or ordered by the court. Checking how a particular charge interacts with Indiana’s point system and suspension rules is an important step before deciding how to resolve your case.
