Felony DUI Lawyer in Indianapolis
Science-Based Representation Throughout Central Indiana
A felony DUI charge represents one of the most serious traffic-related criminal allegations in Indiana. Unlike misdemeanor OWI cases, a felony DUI can permanently alter your freedom, career, and ability to drive.
Arrests often involve allegations of prior offenses, serious injury, or fatal consequences, placing you under intense legal pressure from the outset. Rathburn Law Office, P.C. represents individuals facing felony OWI charges throughout Indianapolis and Central Indiana, providing focused defense when the stakes are at their highest.
Schedule a free initial virtual consultation with our Indianapolis felony DUI attorney by contacting us online or at (463) 465-2401. Available 24/7.
Our Defense Strategy in Indiana Felony DUI Cases
Felony OWI charges expose you to far-reaching consequences that extend well beyond the courtroom. Convictions can result in incarceration, long-term loss of driving privileges, and a permanent criminal record. Many defendants also face job loss, difficulty securing housing, increased insurance costs, and damage to professional licenses or commercial driving status.
For those with families, felony DUI allegations can disrupt financial stability and personal relationships. Because these cases often involve complex evidence and heightened scrutiny, early legal guidance is critical to protecting rights and limiting exposure.
Our firm takes a methodical, evidence-focused approach to felony DUI defense. These cases often hinge on technical details:
- Chemical testing procedures
- Prior conviction analysis
- Accident reconstruction
- Law enforcement conduct
We carefully examine whether prior OWI convictions were properly alleged, whether enhanced charge elements can be challenged, and whether constitutional or procedural violations occurred.
Attorney Chuck Rathburn’s extensive training in breath testing systems, standardized field sobriety testing, and alcohol-related evidence allows our firm to analyze the scientific foundations of the State’s case. When appropriate, we pursue suppression of unlawfully obtained evidence, reduction of charges, or dismissal of enhancement allegations.
What Is a Felony DUI in Indiana?
In Indiana, an OWI offense may be charged as a felony under several circumstances, including:
- A prior OWI conviction within the past seven years
- OWI resulting in serious bodily injury
- OWI resulting in death
- Certain repeat-offense scenarios involving prior felony OWI convictions
Felony OWI charges are classified under Indiana’s felony levels, most commonly Level 6 or Level 5, depending on the facts alleged.
Penalties for Felony DUI / OWI
Potential penalties vary based on the level of the felony and the specific allegations, but may include:
- Level 6 felony OWI: Up to two and a half years in prison and fines up to $10,000
- Level 5 felony OWI: Up to six years in prison and fines up to $10,000
Additional consequences may include extended license suspension, probation, participation in alcohol-related treatment programs, and ignition interlock device requirements. Aggravating factors can significantly increase sentencing exposure.
Trusted by Our Clients
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“I am always impressed by his knowledge and understanding and ability to think outside of the box.”- Mary M.
Call Chuck!
"Chuck’s knowledge and understanding of breath alcohol instruments is exceptional. He worked closely with a manufacturer for many years learning and sharing the knowledge with the defense community. I have gone to Chuck on many occasions to discuss breath alcohol issues and aspects of how the instrumentation deals with the sampling and analysis. I consider him one of the leading experts on breath alcohol within the defense community. As an attorney, Chuck works hard for his clients and doesn’t just deal cases away. He takes the cases personal and fights to get the best resolution possible. In my 30 some years as an expert in breath alcohol testing, Chuck Rathburn is, by far, one of my favorite attorneys for consulting and brainstorming ways to expose the pseudoscience and bad science in the alcohol testing community. I am always impressed by his knowledge and understanding and ability to think outside of the box. I do not hesitate to say Call Chuck!"- Mary M. -
“Chuck was able to get the DUI dismissed to a lesser charge.”- John K.
Worked Hard to Help
"My first attorney told me I had to plead guilty to DUI because they didn't think I had a defense. Chuck was able to get the DUI dismissed to a lesser charge. He worked hard to help me."- John K. -
“When looking for DataMaster training for my staff, I looked no further than Charles Rathburn.”- Jon S.
Outstanding Job
"When looking for DataMaster training for my staff, I looked no further than Charles Rathburn. Mr. Rathburn did an outstanding job educating my entire staff on the concepts of breath alcohol testing while thoroughly explaining the problems associated with breath alcohol testing."- Jon S. -
“I have taken several DataMaster Courses with Chuck and continue to be blown away by both his command of that instrument and his ability to teach it to others.”- Eric G.
Intense Passion
"I have taken several DataMaster Courses with Chuck and continue to be blown away by both his command of that instrument and his ability to teach it to others. Chuck has an intense passion for learning about this machine, and has a gift of how to present it in a format that is easy to digest and understand."- Eric G. -
“Understanding the DataMaster better than the DA's and better than may of the State's experts has helped me get some fantastic results.”- Mark R.
Key to Success
"The in-depth DataMaster training I received from Chuck Rathburn has been a key to success in court. After taking the hands on breath test training from Chuck I am better able to analyze DUI breath cases from the inside out. Understanding the DataMaster better than the DA's and better than may of the State's experts has helped me get some fantastic results."- Mark R.