Driving under the influence is one of the most common charges we defend our clients against in Columbus Ohio.
Despite how common it is, DUIs (or OVIs as they’re known in Columbus, Ohio) can result in some serious legal penalties. That’s why it’s vital that you have an experienced defense attorney on your side.
At Hiltner Trial lawyers, we’ve successfully defended people with DUI / OVI charges time and again.
There’s nothing wrong with having a few drinks with your friends every now and then.
But getting behind the wheel while you’re intoxicated is not only dangerous, it can lead to some serious legal consequences.
In Ohio, the penalties for Operating a Vehicle under the Influence (OVI) depend on if it’s your first, second, or third offense within the last 10 years.
While possession is a misdemeanor, drug trafficking if a felony charge with serious consequences.
Low-level OVIs can face the following penalties on the first offense:
But it’s important to note that high-level OVIs (when your blood alcohol level is greater than .17%), can result in double the jail time.
Low-level OVIs can face the following penalties if it’s your second offense in 10 years:
Again, high-level offenses can result in double the jail or house arrest time.
Low-level OVIs can face the following penalties if it’s your third OVI in 10 years:
And again, a high blood alcohol level can result in double jail or house arrest time.
In Ohio, non-commercial drivers are considered legally drunk when their blood alcohol level is .08 or more. (Generally speaking, this is equivalent to three drinks an hour for women and four drinks an hour for men, although this estimation varies widely according to age, body type, and experience with alcohol.)
Ohio’s implied consent law requires all drivers arrested for an OVI to submit to chemical testing to determine the blood alcohol level. When the officer suspects you of drunk driving, the officer will choose which type of test you’ll have to take: blood test, breath test, or urine test. However, if you refuse to submit to your test, your license could be automatically suspended for one year.
Police officers across the country use field sobriety tests when making DUI stops and arrests. The three main tests are:
Other tests exist, as well, but each comes with its own problems and potential for misleading results.
Yes, in Ohio you can be charged with an OVI if you have a certain concentration of amphetamine, cocaine, heroin, LSD, marijuana, methamphetamine, or PCP in your body, or a mix of these with alcohol.
Hiltner represented a young doctor facing an allegation of drinking and driving. If convicted, the young doctor could have suffered serious career repercussions. During the stop, the man admitted to having several drinks, performed all field sobriety tests, and was arrested. At the station, he refused to submit to an alcohol test. At trial, Hiltner played video of the stop and the trooper admitted that the sobriety tests he administered were not done properly. Again, after being confronted with the video, the trooper admitted that the young doctor actually passed most of the field sobriety tests. Hiltner put on no witnesses or testimony. The court reached a not guilty finding instantly.
A 63 year-old woman in poor physical health was involved in a traffic accident while driving her disabled husband home from dinner. Both cars were totaled by the force of the impact. The arresting officers mistook her disorientation from the accident for intoxication and charged her with causing the accident and a DUI. Our client admitted she was at fault for the accident, but maintained for the last six months that she was not intoxicated and hadn’t been drinking. The officers testified that she failed the field sobriety tests, had slurred speech, red-bloodshot-glassy eyes, strongly smelled of alcohol, and refused the breathalyzer test. Hiltner explained to the jury that in order for them to find our client guilty, they’d have to believe that a loving spouse who retired to take care of her severely ill husband, would put his life in danger by drinking and driving. The jury agreed, and the client was not only found not guilty of the DUI, but also not guilty of causing the accident entirely.
A young woman was charged with her 4th lifetime OVI. She was pulled over for driving the wrong way on the freeway. A police officer observing the young woman immediately pulled her over. The woman admitted to sometimes drinking and taking prescription medications, and at the scene she failed all field sobriety tests and refused a breath and chemical test. The young woman was adamant that she wasn’t intoxicated and refused to accept any plea deals. Hiltner prepped fully for trial and showed up the morning of the trial with the young woman. However, instead of proceeding to trial, the State chose to dismiss all charges instead of risking trial.
A young professional was pulled over in the early morning hours for a report of an intoxicated driver. Several vehicles had reported the vehicle due to reckless driving to authorities before she was finally stopped. During the stop, the woman admitted to drinking several drinks. She also failed all field sobriety tests. She had also just been convicted of an OVI/DUI less than 6 months prior to this stop. She was facing a minimum of 30 days in jail, losing her children, job, etc. Hiltner worked up the case and found several crucial weaknesses in the State’s case. Less than one month after Hiltner was hired, all charges were dismissed against the woman except for a minor traffic infraction which resulted in a small fine.
A young business professional and well-respected member of the community was stopped and cited for an OVI (DUI). His career, livelihood, and reputation hung on the outcome of this case, so Hiltner was trusted to handle it. After months of negotiations and a pending motions filed by Hiltner, the prosecutor agreed to amend the OVI charge to a minor misdemeanor charge of failure to control a vehicle for a minimal fine.
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