The first time you get charged with driving under the influence (DUI) might not seem like a big deal. Regardless, the consequences of a DUI conviction are serious. Have a first offense DUI lawyer in Dublin help you with your case. Otherwise, if you’re convicted of a DUI, the consequences can impact you for the rest of your life.
At Koffel | Brininger | Nesbitt, we bring calm to chaos. Our team has served over 15,000 clients, including those involved in DUI cases. We have the wisdom and experience to see what’s coming after you get arrested for a DUI. Let us help you with your case. To get started, speak with a Dublin DUI lawyer.
Benefits of Hiring a First Offense DUI Lawyer in Dublin
Your first offense DUI attorney in Dublin makes no assumptions about your case. They can investigate your arrest by looking at police reports and interviewing anyone with you at the time it happened. Your lawyer can do these things to lay the foundation for their legal defense.
As your Dublin criminal defense lawyer builds your case, they remain in constant contact with you. They know how stressful it is to be charged with a DUI. Any time you have legal concerns or questions, your attorney can address them. Plus, your lawyer can negotiate a DUI plea deal on your behalf. If no agreement is reached, your attorney remains on your side during your trial.
Koffel | Brininger | Nesbitt is a trusted choice for those in need of legal representation after a driving under the influence arrest. We are the law firm that other law firms use and recommend. Give us the opportunity to handle the legal matters in your DUI case. Contact us today to get started.
For a legal consultation with a first offense dui lawyer serving Dublin, call (614) 884-1100
Legal Limit for a First Offense DUI Charge in Dublin
In Ohio, driving under the influence may be referred to as operating a vehicle impaired (OVI). The legal limit for getting charged with this crime is defined by Ohio Revised Code (ORC) § 4511.19. Below are details about the legal blood alcohol content (BAC) limit for drivers in Ohio:
- Drivers Who Are 21 and Older: BAC of 0.08%
- Commercial Drivers: BAC of 0.04%
- Drivers Under 21: Subject to a “zero tolerance” policy and can be arrested for OVI if the police detect any amount of alcohol on them
Along with these legal limits, drivers can face elevated charges if they have a BAC of 0.17% or higher. With these charges, motorists can face increased penalties than those typically associated with a first offense OVI.
Dublin First Offense DUI Lawyer Near Me (614) 884-1100
Penalties if You Are Convicted of a First Offense DUI
In many cases, a first offense DUI in Ohio is treated as a misdemeanor. Those convicted of a misdemeanor DUI may receive a mandatory minimum jail sentence of three days or have to complete a driver’s intervention program. They may also be subject to a fine, a suspension of their driver’s license, probation, and other penalties.
Ohio drivers can face enhanced penalties if they are charged with a high test OVI. With a high test operating a vehicle impaired conviction, you may receive a minimum jail sentence of 6 days in conjunction with other penalties more severe than those for a standard OVI.
Your Dublin first offense DUI lawyer can teach you about Ohio’s OVI penalties as they relate to your case. They want you to understand the criminal penalties that come with a conviction, along with the collateral consequences that may follow you in the years after.
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Collateral Consequences of a First Offense DUI Conviction
Ultimately, you can go to jail for a DUI in Ohio, and the consequences of your criminal conviction can hurt you long into the future. Your attorney wants you to account for the collateral consequences of an OVI conviction, which can include:
- Your DUI conviction can appear on your criminal record, making it difficult to land a job.
- Your auto insurance premiums can increase due to your conviction.
- Canada and other countries may not allow you to enter based on your conviction.
- Your conviction comes with a social stigma and can disrupt your relationships with family and friends.
How you respond to your driving under the influence arrest has far-reaching effects. If you partner with an OVI lawyer, you can fight back against your charge before it leads to a conviction. Your attorney focuses on getting you the case results you want. They can prepare a legal defense that resonates in court.
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Legal Defenses for a First Offense DUI
Your criminal defense attorney considers the facts of your case as they put your legal defense together. They want to make it clear in court that the prosecution’s case is flawed and that you shouldn’t be convicted.
As such, your lawyer may utilize various legal defenses, such as:
- Arguing that your traffic stop was illegal and that the police didn’t have probable cause for it
- Challenging the accuracy of your field sobriety test (FST) results and whether the police tested your BAC properly
- Explaining to the court that you are dealing with a medical condition that may have led to inaccurate BAC test results
- Showing the court that you weren’t actually driving at the time of your DUI arrest
Depending on the circumstances of your case, your lawyer may negotiate a plea deal with the prosecution. A plea bargain may allow you to stay out of jail and avoid other DUI penalties.
Your lawyer can keep you updated about plea deal negotiations. If a prosecutor makes an offer, you can review the proposal with your lawyer and make an informed decision on it.
You Will Feel Better as Soon as You Talk to Us
The team at Koffel | Brininger | Nesbitt knows how emotionally taxing it is to be charged with driving under the influence.
We can connect you with a Dublin first offense DUI attorney who prioritizes your case. From here, we can work with you to disprove the prosecution. For more information, schedule a case consultation with us.
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