A DUI conviction is a criminal offense, which can affect your future in all kinds of negative ways. It can affect your ability to find a job, buy a house, get a loan, and much more. For anyone facing DUI charges, it’s a good idea to find the best DUI attorneys you can, to minimize the adverse consequences.
DUI laws in Ohio
State DUI laws vary and a criminal defense attorney who knows the local state laws is best prepared to handle your case. For instance, in Ohio, there is the ” implied consent” law, which means that if you refuse to take a chemical test, it is assumed that you are guilty. The refusal to take a chemical test will result in a fine and your license will be suspended automatically.
Ohio law enforcement use the term OVI, which stands for “operating a vehicle under the influence”. This is the same as DUI or “driving under the influence” elsewhere. The legal BAC limit in Ohio is .02 percent for persons under 21 years of age.
Legal help with your DUI charges
A top criminal defense attorney can help you prepare your best defense. The best DUI attorneys will be familiar with state laws and can help you through the process. In Ohio, sometimes the prosecution will accept a plea bargain of “wet reckless” – a conviction of reckless driving involving alcohol – under some circumstances. A plea bargain might be accepted if the amount of alcohol involved was on the borderline of the illegal amount, if there was no accident, and if the defendant did not have a prior record.
Preparing a strong defense
Getting the best due attorneys on your side can help to minimize the adverse consequences. They can advise you that police are not allowed to pull you over unless there is evidence that you were driving suspiciously. Swerving, running a red light, and witness statements that you were too drunk to drive are not counted as evidence.
A criminal DUI attorney can help you prepare your best defense by analyzing videos, contacting witnesses and even challenging breathalyzer tests. Further, they will be aware that even if you agreed to take a blood alcohol content test, the results of the test can be challenged. If the breathalyzer tests, blood tests and urine tests were not administered properly, they may not be admissible as evidence in court.
Consequences of a DUI conviction
The consequences of a DUI conviction in Ohio are severe and can include fines, jail time, and automatic license suspension. You will also have to pay a license reinstatement fee. A DUI conviction will give you a criminal record that will affect your ability to find a job, get loans, buy a house or serve in public office. Your future is too important to jeopardize for a momentary lapse, but mistakes do happen. If you’re facing DUI charges, it’s time to get legal help right away.
The record for the highest number of OVI convictions in Ohio is 20, and is shared by two people. You certainly don’t want to join them, or even go anywhere near that number. With the best DUI attorneys on your side, you have a chance to prepare a strong defense that will minimize the penalties you face.
