An OWI Charge Is More Than a Ticket
In Indiana, Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) charges can range from misdemeanors to felonies depending on prior offenses, test results, and whether there was an accident or injury. Alongside the criminal case, an arrest usually starts a separate process against your driver's license — with strict deadlines.
Gregory Cranston Sr. defends OWI cases in Fort Wayne, Allen County, and the surrounding Northeast Indiana counties, and handles the related license issues so nothing slips through the cracks.
Challenged From the Stop Forward
Every OWI case rests on a chain of decisions made by officers before, during, and after the stop. That chain is where the defense starts:
- Why the vehicle was stopped — was there a legal basis at all?
- Field sobriety tests: how they were instructed, administered, and scored.
- Chemical tests: breath or blood, calibration and administration records.
- Refusal cases: the notice you received and the deadlines that follow.
- Body camera and dash camera footage, where it exists.
License Consequences and Getting Back on the Road
An OWI arrest can suspend your driving privileges even before the criminal case is resolved. Cranston Law also handles driver's license suspension hearings and specialized driving privileges, so you have a plan for getting back on the road lawfully. See our Driver's License Suspension page for details.
Common Questions
I was arrested for OWI in Fort Wayne. How long do I have to act?
License-related deadlines start running immediately after an arrest — sometimes within days. Contact Cranston Law at 260-704-8422 as soon as possible so hearings and deadlines are not missed.
Should I have refused the breath test?
Refusing a test has its own consequences, including a longer license suspension. What matters now is how the stop and the testing were actually handled. An attorney can review whether the process was done correctly and what options remain.
Can I drive to work while my case is pending?
Depending on your situation, specialized driving privileges may be available. Cranston Law can evaluate whether you qualify and petition the court for them.