Don’t Face Drunk Driving Charges Alone—Call (440) 471-7784!
OVI is a serious offense. Being convicted of such a crime can damage your future, resulting in a loss of driving privileges, fines, and even loss of employment in some cases. You cannot afford to go through this time without trusted defense!
Our Cincinnati OVI lawyers have more than three decades of combined experience and have former prosecutors on our staff. Patituce & Associates knows that Ohio enforces serious penalties for OVI, which is why our firm provides aggressive representation. We are here to protect your rights and your future.
If you have been arrested for operating a vehicle while intoxicated, call (440) 471-7784 to speak with a Cincinnati DUI attorney from our firm. We are respected throughout Ohio courtrooms!
Defending Accusations of Drinking & Driving
Just because you have been arrested or pulled over on suspicion of operating a vehicle intoxicated or impaired does not mean you are automatically guilty. Patituce & Associates is led by a team of seasoned DUI lawyers in Cincinnati who can stand up for your rights during this time.
Some of the defenses to OVI charges include:
- Lack of reasonable suspicion for the traffic stop
- Insufficient evidence to require the defendant to take field sobriety tests (wrongful removal could lead to any evidence obtained after this point being dismissed)
- Incorrect field sobriety testing due to lack of training, qualifications, or instructions
- Inaccurate breath, blood, or urine sample / tests due to poor calibration, errors in the process, etc.
Helping Clients Get Favorable Results in DUI / OVI Cases
At Patituce & Associates, we know that clients often want to know how much DUI / OVI defense will cost and what it can do in their case. We know that you likely have similar questions following an OVI arrest.
It is important to know that no attorney can promise you certain results, however, you can judge the skill of a firm by their past results. Our Cincinnati criminal defense attorneys have had clients’ charges dismissed in the past. We have even recently been able to convince the court and prosecutors to dismiss such charges. Though highly difficult to do, our team has the skill and determination to follow through.
Ohio DUI Laws
In Ohio, DUI, also known as OVI (operating a vehicle under the influence), is a serious offense. A person can be charged with a DUI for operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher, or for driving while impaired by drugs, alcohol, or a combination of both to an extent that adversely affects and impairs the driver’s actions, reactions, or mental processes. Ohio also has an impaired driving law that applies specifically to underage drivers; it is illegal for drivers under the age of 21 to operate a vehicle with a BAC of 0.02% or higher.
A DUI conviction in Ohio can result in serious consequences, including fines, license suspension, and even jail time. In these situations, it is important to seek the advice of a Cincinnati DUI attorney who can help you understand the charges against you and navigate the legal process.
Penalties for OVI in Ohio
For adults over the age of 21, the legal alcohol limit in Ohio is 0.08% BAC. If you are pulled over or stopped by a police officer and found to have a BAC level that exceeds this or is high enough to cause impairment, you could face serious penalties for DUI.
DUI penalties are extremely serious, including:
- First OVI – Several days in jail, an alcohol abuse program, and over a thousand dollars in fines
- Second OVI – Between 10 days and 6 months in jail, house arrest, and/or alcohol monitoring. Fines may reach up to $1,625.
- Third OVI – Up to 1 year in jail, with a minimum of 60 days for BACs of .17% or above. Fines can be as high as $2,500, in addition to payment for an alcohol treatment program. The license may be lost for 2 – 10 years.
- Fourth OVI – As much as 5 years behind bars and $10,000 in fines, as well as surrendering the car driven by the defendant. Permanent license suspension may also be enforced.
If you are charged with multiple offenses within a certain time period, you may be facing a felony. This could result in increased penalties.
Implied Consent Laws in Ohio
Ohio has implied consent laws that mandate anyone driving a vehicle in the state gives consent to submit to chemical testing to determine their BAC level. The testing could be a breathalyzer, blood test, or urine test, and it must be administered at the request of a law enforcement officer who has reasonable grounds to believe the person is driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
If you are pulled over on suspicion of DUI in Cincinnati, it is important to comply with the officer’s orders and submit to the breath, blood, or urine test. Failure to do so can result in serious consequences, even if you were not drinking and driving.
Refusing to take the chemical test is considered a violation of Ohio’s implied consent law and results in an administrative license suspension. The length of the suspension depends on whether the driver has prior refusals or OVI convictions.
What to Do After a Cincinnati DUI Arrest
If you have been arrested for a DUI in Cincinnati, it is important to remain calm and take several important steps to protect yourself and your future case.
First, do not talk to the police. It is never a good idea to speak with the police without your lawyer present. If the police ask you to talk about your DUI arrest, you should decline and ask to speak with your lawyer.
Next, consult with a Cincinnati DUI attorney right away. A DUI case can be complicated, and an attorney can help answer your questions, explain the potential penalties, and guide you through the legal process. Third, record all of the details you can remember about your arrest, including what you said to the police, how you first encountered the police, and any other relevant details.
Finally, work with your lawyer to identify potential witnesses and gather any potential evidence that may help your case. For example, if you were at a restaurant or bar before your DUI arrest, you can request a copy of your bill or see if any security footage may help prove you were not under the influence while driving.
While waiting for your case to go to court, remember to stay out of trouble and be patient. DUI cases can take a long time to resolve, but your attorney will work with you to provide important updates and develop a compelling defense strategy in your favor.
Contact Our DUI Lawyers in Cincinnati
Being charged with DUI / OVI should not be taken lightly. Our Cincinnati OVI attorneys know how to thoroughly defend clients in the courtroom. We strive to obtain the best possible for our clients, whether this is their first offense or their third. As the lawyers who judge, prosecutors, and police officers turn to when they face legal trouble, we give our clients assurance and peace of mind.
Now is the time to discuss your OVI case in a FREE consultation. Call Patituce & Associates to speak with a Cincinnati DUI lawyer.