» Athens Criminal Defense Lawyer » Athens, OH OVI Lawyer » Athens Felony OVI Lawyer
In Ohio, an OVI (Operating a Vehicle Impaired) can be classified as a felony under specific circumstances, depending on whether it is a repeat offense and/or the severity of the incident. The term OVI is used instead of DUI under Ohio law, but both refer to the same offense. As an Athens felony OVI lawyer, I have the resources and background to aggressively defend your rights and work to minimize the potential penalties you face.
I can investigate the case, challenge evidence, and deploy tailored defense strategies that could reduce or even eliminate the legal consequences you are up against. You need a skilled OVI defense attorney who can negotiate with the prosecutor, and potentially take the case to trial if necessary.
Ohio Revised Code § 4511.19 makes it illegal to operate a vehicle if the person is under the influence of alcohol, a drug of abuse, or a combination of them. The law defines specific blood alcohol concentration (BAC) levels that are considered illegal, including a BAC of 0.08% or more in whole blood, blood serum or plasma, or breath. If you are up against a felony OVI charge, I am a local Athens attorney who can immediately get to work providing you detailed legal counsel and building an aggressive defense for your case.
Ohio Rev. Code § 4511.191 outlines the state’s implied consent law. Under this law, anyone operating a vehicle in Ohio is deemed to have consented to chemical testing if arrested for an OVI violation. Violations of the state’s OVI laws can lead to various penalties, including fines, jail time, license suspension, and mandatory alcohol or drug treatment programs.
In Athens, an OVI is typically charged as a misdemeanor, but can be charged as a felony when there are multiple prior OVI convictions within a specific timeframe. For example, a fourth OVI within 10 years is a felony, and a fifth OVI within 20 years can also be charged as a felony. Causing serious injury or death during an OVI can also lead to felony charges. Penalties for felony OVIs are more severe, including longer jail or prison sentences and higher fines.
Facing a felony OVI charge is a serious matter with potentially severe consequences. Building a strong defense is crucial, and it begins with understanding your rights and the legal process involved. Anything you say can be used against you, so it is vital to avoid making statements to law enforcement until you have consulted with an Athens OVI attorney like myself.
I will act quickly to collect any relevant evidence that could support your defense, such as photos, videos, receipts, or witness names. A good defense starts by scrutinizing the details of the traffic stop.
Field sobriety tests are subjective and can be challenged based on factors like the driver’s physical condition, road conditions, or the officer’s instructions.
Breathalyzer and blood tests are not foolproof. Potential defenses in your case could include challenging the device’s calibration, the presence of mouth alcohol, or improper handling of blood samples. It may be possible to argue that your BAC was below the legal limit while driving but rose by the time the test was administered due to the alcohol absorption rate.
Any misconduct or procedural errors by law enforcement can also be grounds for excluding evidence or dismissing the case. Depending on the details of your arrest, I can challenge the prosecution’s evidence, argue a lack of probable cause for the stop or arrest, introduce exculpatory evidence, or negotiate a plea bargain to reduce the charges or penalties.
Throughout my years as an Athens felony OVI lawyer, I have extensive experience handling the unique cases, including breathalyzer challenges. I leverage an extensive background in criminology and expertise in forensic science to build strong defenses.
I can evaluate evidence like toxicology reports and breathalyzer results to challenge any gaps or weaknesses in the prosecution’s case. If you have been charged with a felony OVI, now is the time to start building the strongest possible defense. Contact my firm now to arrange your free consultation.
Client was accused of being under the influence of narcotics. Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) was successfully challenged.
A young college student was stopped for speeding on Stimpson Ave. The Ohio State Patrol Officer administered field sobriety tests and placed the Client under arrest. The Client agreed to take a breath test and “blew” a .16. In reviewing the OSP video tape of field sobriety tests, Andrew found that the Trooper had unfairly graded the Client. Andrew was able to negotiate a reduced charge based on his client’s performance on the field sobriety tests.
Client was charged with OVI on the basis of being under influence of narcotics. The Officer who made the traffic stop was a Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) and the OVI charge was based solely on the Officer’s opinion as a DRE. Andrew’s cross-examination of the Officer at a suppression hearing revealed that the Officer’s opinion’s were based on flawed assumptions. The case was dismissed.
The client was charged with an OVI, facing a significant license suspension and fine. Their charge was negotiated to physical control of a vehicle while intoxicated, which carried a much more lenient sentence.
Client was charged with Operating a Vehicle while Impaired, a misdemeanor. Attorney Andrew Stevenson negotiated their participation in a Driver Intervention Program, preventing a conviction and a permanent criminal record.
Client was charged with a felony OVI while possessing a firearm. If convicted, they could be sentenced to a maximum of 30 months in jail, plus additional sentencing for the weapon enhancement. Attorney Andrew Stevenson negotiated a diversion in the case, reducing the charge to reckless operation of a vehicle while possessing criminal tools.
Client was charged with OVI and had a prior OVI conviction from 15 years earlier, outside Ohio’s 10-year lookback window. Attorney Andrew Stevenson negotiated the case to a Driver Intervention Program rather than a second OVI conviction.
Client was charged with an OVI, a charge that carries mandatory jail time, license suspension, and a permanent mark on their driving record. Attorney Andrew Stevenson negotiated with the prosecution to secure a reduction. The OVI charge was amended, and our client was able to complete a Driver Intervention Program in lieu of an OVI conviction avoiding jail time, protecting their license, and keeping an OVI off their permanent record.
Attorney Andrew Stevenson represented a client charged with Operating a Vehicle Impaired. After reviewing the case and negotiating with the prosecution, the charge was resolved through a Driver Intervention Program rather than an OVI conviction.
Attorney Andrew Stevenson secured a favorable outcome for his client charged with misdemeanor OVI by successfully negotiating a reduction to reckless operation. The result allowed the client to avoid an OVI conviction and the significant long-term consequences that accompany it.
Attorney Andrew Stevenson’s client was charged with OVI, an offense that can carry up to six months in jail, fines up to $1,075, and a license suspension of as long as three years. Stevenson worked out a resolution placing the client in a Driver Intervention Program in place of jail, and clearing the charge from their record.
A client facing an OVI charge retained Attorney Andrew Stevenson. After review and negotiation with the prosecutor, the OVI was reduced to a Reckless Operation offense avoiding mandatory jail time, a license suspension of up to three years, and a permanent OVI on the client’s record.
Client faced a first-offense misdemeanor OVI and the mandatory penalties that come with it: three days in jail, fines up to $1,075, and a one-to-three-year license suspension. Attorney Andrew Stevenson got the charge reduced to Reckless Operation carrying no jail time and a maximum fine of $150.
The client was charged with failure to comply with a police officer’s signal, OVI, and two counts of failure to stop after an accident, facing up to five and a half years in prison. The client pled to the indictment as charged, yet Andrew Stevenson’s sentencing advocacy still secured probation and kept the client out of prison entirely.
The client came to the firm facing aggravated vehicular assault, OVI, failure to stop after an accident, and driving under suspension potentially taking on up to 14 years in prison, with the aggravated vehicular assault count carrying mandatory prison time. Attorney Andrew Stevenson resolved the entire case to a single minor misdemeanor with only a fine, no jail, and no felony conviction.
Client faced both an OVI count and a paired unlawful-alcohol-concentration charge, along with the mandatory jail time a first-offense OVI conviction carries. Attorney Andrew Stevenson resolved the case to a single OVI plea served through Ohio’s 72-hour Driver Intervention Program (no jail), with the unlawful-alcohol-concentration count dismissed.
A .230 BAC reading combined with a prior OVI conviction brought the client a second-offense high-tier charge, carrying a mandatory minimum of 20 days in jail, license suspension of up to seven years, and 90 days of vehicle immobilization. Andrew Stevenson negotiated the case down to a first-offense OVI, eliminating the second-offense mandatory minimums and the harsher license and vehicle consequences.
A clients first-offense misdemeanor OVI carries a mandatory three days in jail, fines up to $1,075, and a license suspension for one to three years. Attorney Andrew Stevenson got his client’s case dismissed.
Client was charged with first-offense misdemeanor OVI, an offense carrying a mandatory three days in jail, fines up to $1,075, and a license suspension of one to three years. Stevenson got the charge reduced to Underage OVI (OVUAC), a fourth-degree misdemeanor with no mandatory jail time, fines up to $250, and a license suspension of 90 days to two years.