OVI/DUI Lawyers in Columbus, OH

Columbus law enforcement takes impaired driving seriously, and so should you. Operating a vehicle while impaired (OVI) is the Ohio equivalent of a DUI charge. Like DUI, the penalties for OVI can affect not just your finances and freedom but also your ability to hold down a job and remain mobile and independent.

Given what is at stake, you deserve to give yourself the benefit of experienced legal advice from a dedicated OVI defense attorney. This benefit comes from retaining the team at The Law Offices of Saia, Marrocco & Jensen Inc. to represent you in your OVI case.

The Law Offices of Saia, Marrocco & Jensen Inc.’s Columbus OVI defense lawyers have extensive courtroom experience, and they are ready to use it to help you. See the difference our team can make by scheduling a consultation with us today.

What Constitutes OVI in Columbus?

People often equate operating a vehicle while impaired with drunk driving. However, you can violate Ohio’s OVI law by doing more than simply having too much to drink. The OVI statute also prohibits driving a vehicle any time you are incapable of safely driving because of alcohol, illegal drugs, prescription medication, or any combination of these.

Driving with an alcohol concentration of .08 or greater is also considered to be operating a vehicle while impaired. If your alcohol concentration is this high, it does not matter how impaired you actually are.

Evidence in Your OVI Case

No matter whether your OVI arrest happened on High Street, Broad Street, or some residential roadway, the prosecutor has the burden of proving you guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. To prove its case, the prosecution team will rely on evidence such as:

Your driving, as observed by the arresting officer
Any detectable odor of alcohol on your breath
Your movements and ability to comply with the officer’s instructions
How well you perform on roadside field sobriety tests
The results of breath, blood, or urine tests

Defending yourself against an OVI charge in Ohio means attacking the admissibility of as much evidence as possible. Evidence that was inconclusive or illegally obtained should not be used to prove your guilt. The Law Offices of Saia, Marrocco & Jensen Inc. understand this and mount an aggressive, focused defense for our clients.

We work for the best outcomes for our Columbus OVI clients. We review all of the available evidence, listen to your needs, and recommend the most effective course of action for you. Experience the difference that a skilled and seasoned OVI defense attorney can make by retaining The Law Offices of Saia, Marrocco & Jensen Inc.

Consequences of an OVI Conviction

Incarceration

While you might not be sentenced to any jail time if this is your first OVI offense, subsequent OVI convictions carry mandatory periods in jail or prison. Additionally, if you commit any other offense while operating under the influence, those additional crimes can bring their own separate jail or prison sentences.

You could face as little as three days in jail and as many as five years in prison. The specific length of time that the court sentences you to will depend on the facts of your current offense and how many prior OVI convictions you have.

Fines and Costs

The financial consequences of an OVI conviction can be debilitating, especially if you are one of the many Ohioans living paycheck to paycheck. Expect to receive a fine of between $375 and $10,500, depending on your prior history and the circumstances of your arrest.

Beyond this, you might be saddled with court costs and probation fees. If you must have an ignition interlock device installed, you will have to pay for it yourself. You will also need to cover any costs related to alcohol assessments, counseling, house arrest, and other consequences of your case.

It’s important to remember that the above-listed expenses are only the direct costs of an OVI offense. Indirect costs include unearned wages from spending time in jail, the cost of alternative transportation if you cannot drive, and a reduction in income if you lose your job.

Administrative Penalties

On top of incarceration and fines, your driving privileges can also be suspended for an OVI arrest. If you refuse to take a chemical test when asked by the officer, this, too, can lead to a suspension of your driving privileges. These penalties can be imposed regardless of what happens with your criminal OVI charges.

Do not dismiss or underestimate the difficulties that an OVI arrest and conviction can create for you and your family. It pays to invest in a quality Columbus OVI defense lawyer’s services. Schedule a consultation today with The Law Offices of Saia, Marrocco & Jensen Inc.

Services Offered by Your Columbus OVI Attorney

Investigate Your Case Thoroughly

Your attorney will receive and review all evidence the prosecution has assembled against you. That evidence will be scrutinized for weaknesses and omissions that undercut the prosecution’s case. This includes identifying investigative steps the arresting officer did not take due to ignorance, impatience, or bias.

However, your attorney’s work does not stop there. Your OVI defense lawyer will also locate and interview witnesses who are helpful to your case or who can rebut what the prosecution’s witnesses claim. The reliability of the testing equipment used in your case can and should also be looked into.

Protect Your Constitutional Rights

Being free from unreasonable searches and seizure
Not being arrested without probable cause that you committed a crime
Not being compelled to make incriminating statements
Having a speedy and public jury trial

Your attorney from The Law Offices of Saia, Marrocco & Jensen Inc. will remedy any violation of these and other constitutional rights. Depending on the violation, evidence can be suppressed, or the case itself may be dismissed.

Appear and Advocate for You at Every Hearing

Most significantly, your lawyer will stand beside you and argue your case at every hearing. It can be comforting to have a competent advocate stand up for you in court and argue on your behalf. They’ll know how to persuasively argue the law and facts at evidentiary hearings and trials.

The OVI attorneys at The Law Offices of Saia, Marrocco & Jensen Inc. are in court on a nearly daily basis. We do not just know what the law says — we also know how to apply the law to the facts of your case and to do so in a way that convinces factfinders. Learn more about our services and experience by scheduling your consultation today.

Contact The Law Offices of Saia, Marrocco & Jensen Inc.

Act quickly after your OVI arrest to protect your rights and resolve your case swiftly. Call or contact The Law Offices of Saia, Marrocco & Jensen Inc. to request your free, no-obligation consultation in Columbus with our team.

The sooner you retain us, the faster we can get to work helping you avoid or mitigate the terrible consequences of an OVI conviction.