If you have been charged with an alcohol-related offense in Indiana, call 317-695-7700 to speak with criminal defense attorney Jeff Cardella. Alcohol cases can seem minor at first, but they can create serious problems for your driver’s license, employment, college record, professional licensing, immigration status, and criminal history. I defend clients charged with OWI, public intoxication, underage drinking, minor in possession of alcohol, fake ID offenses, furnishing alcohol to a minor, chemical test refusals, and related alcohol charges throughout Indianapolis and the State of Indiana.
Indiana Alcohol Offense Lawyer Jeff Cardella
I am Jeff Cardella, an Indiana criminal defense attorney based in Indianapolis. I have spent my legal career defending people accused of crimes, including cases ranging from murder to minor possession of alcohol. I have handled thousands of criminal cases and have experience with jury trials, bench trials, suppression hearings, plea negotiations, license issues, probation violations, appeals, expungements, and specialized driving privileges. I also taught criminal law at the Indiana University School of Law and have served as a Judge pro tem in Indianapolis.
Alcohol Charges Can Be More Serious Than They Look
Many people make the mistake of thinking an alcohol charge is “just a ticket” or “not a big deal.” That is often wrong. A conviction for an alcohol offense can appear on background checks, damage a student’s future, affect security clearances, trigger license suspensions, increase insurance costs, and create problems years later when applying for jobs, housing, graduate school, or professional licenses. Even a misdemeanor alcohol conviction can follow a person long after the court case is over.
Types of Alcohol Offenses I Handle
My office defends clients against a wide range of Indiana alcohol-related charges, including:
- Operating While Intoxicated, also called OWI, DUI, or drunk driving
- Chemical test refusals
- Public intoxication
- Minor in possession of alcohol
- Minor consumption of alcohol
- Underage drinking
- Fake ID and false statement of age charges
- Furnishing alcohol to a minor
- Illegal transportation of alcohol by a minor
- Alcohol-related probation violations
- Alcohol-related license suspension issues
OWI and DUI Defense in Indiana
Indiana OWI cases often involve far more than whether someone had been drinking. The government may need to prove that the traffic stop was lawful, that the officer had reasonable suspicion or probable cause, that field sobriety testing was properly administered, that the breath or blood test was reliable, and that the accused person was actually impaired or over the legal limit at the relevant time. I carefully examine the stop, the investigation, the chemical test, police reports, body camera footage, dispatch records, and all other available evidence.
Challenging the Traffic Stop, Search, and Evidence
I am especially focused on search and seizure issues, suppression motions, and winning criminal cases on legal technicalities when the police or prosecution have not followed the law. In alcohol cases, this can include challenging the reason for the stop, the length of the detention, the officer’s observations, the request for chemical testing, the reliability of breath or blood evidence, and whether the State can prove every element of the charge beyond a reasonable doubt.
Underage Drinking, Minor in Possession, and Fake ID Cases
Underage alcohol cases can be especially stressful for students, parents, and young professionals. A minor in possession, minor consumption, or fake ID charge may seem small compared to a felony, but it can still create a criminal record and cause problems with college discipline, scholarships, internships, employment, military service, and professional licensing. My goal is often to protect the client’s record and future, not merely resolve the immediate court date.
Public Intoxication Defense
Public intoxication cases often arise from nights out, concerts, sporting events, bars, college campuses, festivals, and misunderstandings with police. Being intoxicated in public does not automatically mean the State can prove a criminal offense. These cases may involve questions about where the person was, whether the person endangered anyone, whether the person breached the peace, whether the person harassed or annoyed others, and whether the evidence supports the charge.
Furnishing Alcohol to a Minor
Furnishing alcohol to a minor can expose a person to criminal penalties and serious reputational harm. These cases can arise from parties, college events, fraternity or sorority gatherings, family events, house parties, or claims that an adult provided alcohol to someone under 21. A strong defense may require examining witness statements, text messages, video evidence, who actually supplied the alcohol, whether the accused person knew the individual was underage, and whether the State can prove the charge.
Driver’s License Problems and Specialized Driving Privileges
Alcohol-related cases often create driver’s license issues, especially in OWI and chemical test refusal cases. Losing the ability to drive can affect work, school, childcare, medical appointments, and daily life. I help clients evaluate license suspension issues and, when appropriate, pursue specialized driving privileges so they can legally drive under court-approved conditions.
Why Hire Jeff Cardella for an Alcohol Offense?
Alcohol offense defense requires more than simply showing up to court and asking for a plea agreement. The details matter. The police report, the officer’s body camera, the timing of the stop, the reason for the encounter, the alleged symptoms of intoxication, the chemical test, the client’s criminal history, and the long-term consequences all need to be evaluated. I bring serious criminal defense experience to cases that other people may wrongly treat as minor.
Possible Defenses in Indiana Alcohol Cases
Every case is different, but possible defenses may include:
- The police lacked reasonable suspicion for the stop
- The officer lacked probable cause for an arrest
- The field sobriety tests were unreliable or improperly administered
- The breath or blood test was flawed
- The State cannot prove impairment beyond a reasonable doubt
- The accused person was not in a public place as required by law
- The accused person did not endanger anyone or breach the peace
- The State cannot prove possession or consumption of alcohol
- The State cannot prove the accused knowingly furnished alcohol to a minor
- The case may be eligible for dismissal, diversion, reduction, or expungement later
Serving Indianapolis and All of Indiana
My office is located in Indianapolis, and I represent clients in alcohol offense cases throughout Indiana. Whether the case is in Marion County, Hamilton County, Hendricks County, Johnson County, Boone County, Hancock County, Morgan County, Monroe County, Madison County, Shelby County, Delaware County, or another Indiana county, I can help evaluate the charge, explain the process, and build a defense strategy.
Frequently Asked Questions About Indiana Alcohol Offenses
Is an alcohol offense a criminal case in Indiana?
Many alcohol offenses are criminal cases, including OWI, public intoxication, furnishing alcohol to a minor, and many underage drinking-related charges. Some alcohol-related violations may also create license consequences, school consequences, or future expungement issues.
Can an underage drinking charge hurt my future?
Yes. Even when the facts seem minor, an underage drinking, minor in possession, or fake ID case can create problems with background checks, college discipline, employment, internships, scholarships, and professional licensing. Protecting the record is often one of the most important goals.
Can an OWI case be challenged?
Yes. OWI cases may be challenged based on the legality of the stop, the officer’s observations, field sobriety testing, chemical testing, probable cause, constitutional violations, and whether the State can prove impairment or intoxication beyond a reasonable doubt.
Can I keep driving after an alcohol-related arrest?
It depends on the type of case, whether there was a chemical test refusal, whether there was a prior history, and whether the court or BMV has imposed a suspension. In some cases, specialized driving privileges may be available.
Should I just plead guilty to get it over with?
Not without understanding the consequences. A quick guilty plea can create a criminal record, license problems, insurance consequences, employment issues, and future expungement complications. Before pleading guilty, you should understand the evidence, defenses, and possible alternatives.
Contact Indiana Alcohol Offense Lawyer Jeff Cardella
If you are facing an alcohol-related criminal charge in Indiana, contact the Law Office of Jeff Cardella. Call 317-695-7700 for a free consultation. The sooner you act, the sooner we can review the evidence, protect your rights, and begin working toward the best possible outcome.
Disclaimer: The information on this page is for general educational purposes only and is not legal advice. Every case is different, and no attorney can guarantee a particular result.