Columbus OVI Attorney

Driving on the roads and highways of Ohio can lead to many traffic violations. Although many of these violations result only in paying a fine, more serious violations, such as drunk driving and related charges, are also considered criminal offenses and may result in Ohio OVI penalties such as jail time, license suspension, and forfeiture or immobilization of the vehicle.

Have you or someone you know been arrested for drunk driving in Columbus, Ohio? If so, contact our experienced Columbus OVI Attorney at Funkhouser Law today!

To better understand my extensive experience and knowledge in the Ohio OVI Laws, please view my OVI cases.

Drunk driving cases in Columbus, Ohio are referred to as OVI (operating a vehicle while intoxicated) and DUI (driving under the influence of alcohol). Being charged with drunk driving triggers two cases against the offender:

1. The court case which may result in jail time and a range of other penalties.
2. The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles case which puts the offender’s driving rights at stake.

There are two ways to be charged with and convicted of a drunk driving offense. Ohio drunk driving laws make it illegal for a driver to operate a vehicle with a level of alcohol in their system of .08% or above, as determined by blood, urine or breath tests. This is called a per se offense—it is based entirely on body chemistry and has nothing to do with alcohol interfering with the driver’s mental or physical abilities. The second way to be charged with DUI in Ohio is to operate a motor vehicle while having any amount of alcohol or drugs that impairs the driver’s physical or mental abilities to an appreciable degree. A driver can be convicted of this offense without any proof of a specific level of alcohol or drugs in their system. This conviction usually follows a series of field sobriety tests. Therefore, no blood, urine, or breath test is necessary in order to be charged or convicted. The officer must have a probable cause to stop before administering these tests. A person may be charged with both types of drunk driving offenses, but can only be convicted and sentenced for one. An experienced Columbus DUI defense attorney will know how to handle your specific drunk driving case.

These are only the basics of Ohio drunk driving offenses. These cases are very complicated and include many technical elements. It is important to contact an experienced defense attorney who can fully explain the charges and explore potential defenses that may be available. Click here for more information about what to do when charged with an OVI or DUI in Columbus, Ohio.

Have you or someone you know been arrested for drunk driving in Columbus, Ohio? If so, contact our experienced Columbus OVI Attorney at Funkhouser Law today!

This site is intended as general information and does not establish an attorney client relationship with the office of Douglas A. Funkhouser Co., L.P.A.

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