Can a Drunk Driving Charge Affect a Child Custody Case?
When you are in the middle of a child custody dispute, and either you or your child’s other parent is arrested on a drunk driving charge, it can have a significant impact on your child custody case.
Fortunately, our attorneys at Rowdy G. Williams Law Firm focus on both family law and criminal law, giving us the edge you were looking for when searching for an experienced lawyer.Below, we go into further detail about the penalties of a drunk driving conviction and how your child custody case will be affected if you or your child’s other parent is convicted of an OWI.
Consequences of Drunk Driving in Indiana
The ramifications for a driving while intoxicated conviction are severe. If this is your first offense, you could be fined $500 and spend up to sixty days in jail. This is in addition to the license suspension, drug and alcohol rehabilitation session, community service, installation of an ignition interlock device (IID), and probation you will likely be subjected to.
Those who have a history of prior convictions will be punished with lengthier license suspensions and incarceration as well as heftier fines.
If you have been arrested for a suspected OWI, it couldn’t have happened at a worse time, as this is sure to tarnish your reputation and will certainly influence the judge’s decision in your child custody case. Thankfully, you do have legal options to defend yourself against the charges against you.
What This Means for Your Child Custody Dispute
Even without a conviction, your arrest will be an obvious detriment to your child custody dispute. If you are acquitted, then the charge shouldn’t influence the outcome of your case. But a conviction will likely mean that the court system will not look favorably on you and your demands.
For instance, if you were convicted for a second OWI and were requesting additional parenting time, the courts will be hesitant to grant your request due to your history of alcohol abuse. Many times, if you complete your sentence and alcohol rehabilitation, you can increase your chances of being taken seriously in a child custody dispute after your drunk driving conviction.
Your lawyer can help you build a compelling defense if you’re going up against an OWI charge, and work with your child’s other parent to come to a child custody agreement that adequately prioritizes the best interests of your shared children.
Work with an Indiana Child Custody Lawyer
A drunk driving conviction will surely have an impact on your child custody case, and you’ll want to be sure to have a highly trained Indiana child custody lawyer at Rowdy G. Williams Law Firm for assistance in protecting your family’s best interests.
We provide complimentary consultations for those who find themselves in situations similar to these. If you are interested in taking advantage of this opportunity, give our office a call at 812-232-7400 or submit the quick contact form we provided at the bottom of this page.
