Columbus DUI & OVI Lawyer

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, today. Our Columbus based lawyers handle DUI and OVI defense.

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:

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

Funkhouser Law is certified with the same credentials as law enforcement for DUI Detection & Standardized Field Sobriety Testing.

Drunk Driving Charges

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 and OVI defense lawyer 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 DWI drunk driving defense attorney in Columbus who can fully explain the charges.  Further, it is important to have a drunk driving defense attorney who will explore potential defenses that may be available.

Have you or someone you know been arrested for drunk driving? If so, our lawyers in Columbus can help with DUI and OVI defense. today!