Many drunk driving offenses involve people who have no previous criminal history. Since it is your first encounter with the criminal justice system, if you are facing charges that you operated a vehicle while impaired (OVI), you are likely very worried about the potential consequences of a conviction and how it could affect how you live your life.
Fortunately, I know how to help. As an experienced Logan first offense OVI lawyer, I can offer you helpful advice and maximize your chances of obtaining a fair outcome.
Ohio law has recently changed how it treats first time drunk drivers. Ohio Revised Code § 4511.19 outlines the general restrictions regarding drunk driving. Although the penalties for a first-time offender are less serious than for a repeat offender, they can still have a damaging effect on your life, which is why it is essential to fight the charges with a qualified Logan attorney like me, who is familiar with first offense OVI cases.
A conviction could bring both administrative and criminal penalties. If convicted, and you had a blood alcohol content of 0.17 percent or lower, you could face hefty fines, probation, and a license suspension of one to three years, and minimum jail time of three days to six months, or participation in a mandatory three-day intervention program for drivers.
If you had a relatively high blood alcohol content of greater than 0.17 percent, you could face even more serious legal consequences, such as a lengthier jail sentence and a mandatory yellow plate on your license indicating your OVI history. If you had other aggravating factors, such as a minor in the vehicle with you, property damage or injuries to someone else, or you had prior convictions for OVI even in other states, you could face enhanced penalties.
I could work with you to help avoid a conviction and minimize the penalties. If you have lost your license, I could also help you seek reinstatement of your driving privileges as outlined in Ohio Revised Code § 4510.038.
I have extensive experience with criminal offenses involving drunk driving and can assist with both first offense OVI and repeat offender cases. With my special certification by the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration in how to both administer and evaluate field sobriety tests, I am uniquely qualified to understand the results of those tests. Instead of having to rely on the officer’s interpretation, I could use my own independent background to better understand the tests.
Because I have the same specialized training as a police officer in how to test drivers on walking and turning, standing on one leg, and performing horizontal gaze tests, I am able to determine if the officer at the scene correctly administered the tests. I could look for inconsistencies, biases, and other errors in administration. I could also analyze how you performed on the tests to see if the officer correctly interpreted your results.
If the arresting officer testifies, I could use my background to skillfully and effectively cross-examine them at a trial, and potentially uncover errors or any other information that exonerates you.
All drunk driving offenses are serious, regardless of whether they are first time or repeat offenses. However, if you are facing first time charges, you are probably very concerned about preserving your reputation and protecting your driving privileges. I know how to help, and have a proven history of doing it.
Reach out to my office to speak to a Logan first offense OVI lawyer today.
Client was accused of being under the influence of narcotics. Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) was successfully challenged.
