Driving under the influence (DUI) can have a lot of serious consequences if it isn’t your first time. In Ohio, the statutory reference for driving under the influence is called Operating a Vehicle Under the Influence (or OVI). The terms are used interchangeably in Ohio, but both refer to driving or operating a vehicle while under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.
In Ohio, driving with a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of 0.08% or higher classifies as an OVI offense. This limit reduces to 0.02% for people under the age of 21. First time offenses typically involve a minimum of 3 to 180 days in jail and fines ranging from $375 to $1,075. They could also come with a license suspension. However, if you are a repeat offender, penalties can significantly increase with higher jail times, higher fines, and even license suspensions or revocations. In some cases, you may need to install an ignition interlock device.
At Graham Law, our criminal defense attorneys have decades of experience in fighting OVI/DUI offenses for residents of Southeastern and Central Ohio. We have an office in Zanesville and Cambridge, Ohio to help serve you better. Contact us for immediate legal help if you need an attorney.
Here Are the Types of OVI Offenses in the State of Ohio:
- Drugged Driving
- Breath Tests
- Blood Tests
- Urine Tests
- Refusal of Test
- Underage OVI/DUI
- Administrative License Suspensions (ALS)
- Commercial Driver OVI/DUI – CDL (for truck drivers)
- Field Sobriety Tests
What Do I Do if I Am Arrested in Ohio for a DUI/OVI?
If you have been arrested, you have the right to remain silent. You need only to answer one question from law enforcement – which is “what is your name and address?”. You also have the right to call an attorney. Ohio police arrest hundreds of people for drunken driving, distracted driving, and drugged driving. If you’re one of them, your choice of attorney could make the difference between an OVI conviction, losing your license to drive, or losing your job, and more and dismissed charges or a lighter penalty. We know how disorienting encounters with law enforcement can be, but you are not helping yourself by trying to explain what happened or why without an attorney by your side. It’s important to remember, anything you say (or do) can be held against you in a court.
If you or a loved one has been arrested, contact our law firm immediately.
Book a Consultation With Our OVI/DUI Defense Attorneys Now
Our criminal defense attorneys may meet you at the scene or police station. If you’ve already been charged and released on bail or on your promise to return for a hearing, but have not yet hired an attorney, we can meet with you in our office or another convenient location. Our goal is always to present the best case to reduce penalties, charges, or jail time, or to get your charges dropped.
Contact us now for immediate legal help with your OVI/DUI charges.
