Columbus OVI Lawyers

OVI Charge Types We Handle in Columbus

Not every OVI case looks the same. A first offense with a low breath test reading is a different legal situation than a third offense within 10 years, a refusal case, or a charge that carries felony exposure. The right defense approach depends entirely on the specific charge, the evidence available, and the court where the case is filed. We handle all of these situations for clients throughout Franklin County and Central Ohio.

The OVI situations we defend most often include:

• First-offense OVI — Even without prior convictions, a first OVI conviction in Ohio carries mandatory minimum penalties, including license suspension and potential jail time. Many first-time clients don’t realize how much defense opportunity exists before accepting any offer.
• Third-offense and repeat OVI charges — A third OVI within 10 years triggers enhanced mandatory penalties. Under Ohio law, a fourth offense within 10 years can elevate the charge to a felony. Our attorneys understand how prior convictions are counted and where those counts can sometimes be challenged.
• Felony OVI charges — When prior OVI history or an accident involving serious injury elevates the charge to a felony, the consequences include potential prison time and a permanent felony record. These cases require a different level of preparation and courtroom strategy.
• Chemical test refusal — Refusing a breath or blood test in Ohio triggers an automatic administrative license suspension under the state’s implied consent law and can be used against you at trial. We help clients understand the full picture of what a refusal means for both the criminal case and their driving privileges.
• CDL and commercial driver OVI charges — Commercial driver’s license holders face a lower legal limit (0.04% BAC while operating a commercial vehicle) and disqualification consequences that go far beyond the standard penalties. A single OVI conviction can end a commercial driving career.
• Field sobriety test issues — Field sobriety tests administered outside NHTSA standards may not reliably indicate impairment. We examine how each test was conducted, the road and weather conditions, and whether officer instructions matched the required protocol.

How OVI Cases Move Through Franklin County Courts

Most Columbus-area OVI arrests trigger two parallel proceedings: the administrative license suspension handled through the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles, and the criminal charge processed through Franklin County Municipal Court or a mayor’s court in a surrounding community. Each track runs on its own timeline and requires its own response.

We begin every case by gathering the full discovery record: police reports, cruiser and body-camera video, BMV records, and any breath or blood test documentation. Comparing that material against what our client remembers from the stop almost always surfaces something worth examining: a gap in the officer’s narrative, a procedural deviation in how testing was conducted, or video that contradicts the report. From there, we evaluate whether to file motions to suppress evidence, pursue a negotiated reduction, or take the case to trial.

When you contact us after an arrest in Columbus or a surrounding Franklin County community, we can walk through the criminal case, the administrative license suspension, and any available limited driving privileges so you can plan for work, family, and daily obligations without unexpected surprises at each court date.

License Consequences & Long-Term Considerations

For most people, losing the ability to drive is the most immediate and disruptive consequence of an OVI charge. Ohio imposes both administrative suspensions, which begin at the time of arrest, and court-ordered suspensions following a conviction. How those two suspensions interact depends on the circumstances and the outcome of the criminal case. We help clients evaluate requests for limited driving privileges, the ignition interlock requirements that often accompany them, and any restricted license plate requirements that may apply.

Beyond the immediate sentence, an OVI conviction can affect professional licenses, background checks, and international travel. Canada, for example, may deny entry to individuals with recent OVI convictions. For some clients, avoiding or minimizing these collateral consequences matters as much as the criminal penalty itself. We discuss all of these outcomes during the consultation so your decisions about how to handle the case are fully informed.

Depending on how a case resolves, certain related offenses may also be eligible for record sealing in the future. We can explain which outcomes preserve that option and which close it off, so you’re not making short-term decisions that foreclose long-term relief.

Call Funkhouser Law at (614) 756-2154 to schedule your consultation today, or get in touch with us online using our easy-to-use online contact form.