If you were recently pulled over on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you could be charged with operating a vehicle while impaired (OVI). If you are ultimately arrested and the state decides to pursue the case against you, you may be forced to appear at trial and defend your name against allegations that could have a significant impact on your life. Working with a respected and experienced Licking County OVI defense lawyer with Koffel Brininger Nesbitt may be your best opportunity to protect your rights.
If you hope to avoid potential self-incrimination, you should NOT give the police a statement and remain silent until you meet with your lawyer. Contact our law office today to discuss the circumstances surrounding your arrest, the potential penalties you are facing, and how your existing criminal record could influence the outcome of your case. Schedule your confidential consultation with a dedicated Licking County criminal defense lawyer to take charge of your defense strategy.
OVI Laws in Licking County
The Ohio Revised Code §4511.19 states that motorists who have blood alcohol concentration levels that meet or exceed the state’s limit can be charged with an OVI. For motorists aged 21 or older, the legal limit for alcohol is 0.08%. There are also various limits for certain types of controlled substances, including methamphetamines, marijuana, LSD, heroin, cocaine, and other illicit drugs.
The legal limit for drugs or alcohol in your system can also vary depending on your age and what type of license you hold. For example, underage motorists may have a legal limit of 0.02% for alcohol. You can also expect to receive additional sentencing enhancements if you are accused of committing an IVI with a BAC that reaches or exceeds 0.17%.
DUI Testing for Suspicion of OVI
Law enforcement officials have various means of determining a motorist’s level of impairment. Some will begin the traffic stop with a field sobriety test. Some of the most common types of field sobriety testing include:
- The one-leg stand
- The walk and turn
- The horizontal gaze nystagmus
Other enforcement officials will immediately turn to chemical blood, urine or breath alcohol testing. A police officer may request that you submit your request to a breathalyzer that will measure your BAC levels. However, if you refuse, you may be in violation of Ohio’s implied consent laws under Ohio Revised Code §4506.17, which is punishable by a mandatory driver’s license suspension.
For a free legal consultation with a ovi lawyer serving Licking County, call 614-884-1100
The Penalties of a Licking County OVI Are Harsh
Your OVI defense attorney in Licking County will need to ensure you understand the severity of the consequences you are facing. Several factors can impact the penalties of a conviction, including your criminal history, whether anyone was severely injured or killed in a DUI accident, whether a child was present, and how high your BAC levels were. Some of the most common criminal penalties associated with guilty OVI verdicts include:
- Fines of over $1,000 and up to six months in jail for a first-time DUI
- Up to six months in jail, fines exceeding $1,500, suspension of your driver’s license for up to five years, and use of an ignition interlock device (IID) for a second OVI offense
- A maximum of one year in jail, nearly $3,000 in fines, court-ordered drug alcohol treatment, use of an IID, and a five-year license suspension for habitual DUI offenders with high BAC tests
Collateral Consequences of an OVI Conviction
The criminal penalties may come and go. However, collateral consequences continue to follow you post-conviction. Some of the most common collateral consequences to be prepared for if you are found guilty include:
- Difficulty securing or retaining gainful employment
- Being passed over for safe or affordable housing
- Being rejected when you apply for college or federal student aid
- Inability to enlist in the United States military
- Loss of firearm rights
- Inability to obtain security clearances
- Having your professional license suspended or revoked
- Trouble traveling internationally
- Increased auto insurance premiums
- Issues with child custody or visitation
- Immigration or citizenship troubles
Remember, OVI convictions are not eligible for expungement in Ohio under ORC §2953.32. This means it is crucial that you clear your name of the allegations against you, otherwise, a conviction will continue to follow you for the rest of your life. This means that anytime a background check is run, your OVI conviction could tarnish your reputation.
Licking County OVI Lawyer Near Me 614-884-1100
Craft a Powerful Defense Strategy with a Premier Criminal Lawyer Advocating for Your Future
Creating a powerful defense strategy is essential in any DUI case. Your lawyer will need to carefully consider the prosecutor’s evidence against you, your criminal record, and other aggravating and mitigating factors to ascertain the defense most likely to return a verdict in your favor. Some of the most common defenses used in Licking County DUI cases include:
- Lack of probable cause
- Violations of your constitutional right not to make self-incriminating statements
- Being coerced into blood or breath alcohol testing
- Blood or breath alcohol testing mistakes or errors
- Improper calibration in breathalyzer testing
- Unlawful stop or search and seizure
- Factual mistakes
- Lack of sufficient supporting evidence
- Violations of roadblock requirements
Click to contact our Licking County Criminal Defense Lawyers today
Contact a Reputable Licking County OVI Defense Lawyer 24/7 for Help
Whether you have been charged with drunk driving early in the morning, in the middle of the day, or late at night, a reputable Licking County OVI defense attorney with Koffel Brininger Nesbitt is here to offer the urgent legal advice you need when you need it.
If you or someone you love has been arrested and charged with a DUI, we may be able to help you post bond so you can get out of jail and back to your family. Do not let the potential consequences of a guilty verdict hold you back from presenting the strongest defense strategy possible.
Our criminal defense law firm is here to help you clear your name and put this experience behind you. Whether we need to work out a plea agreement with the state’s prosecutor or defend your case at trial, you can rely on our team to work tirelessly advocating for your rights and protecting your future.
Complete our online contact form or call our office to schedule your confidential consultation and start working on your defense as soon as today.
Call or text 614-884-1100 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
