OVI-DUI Lawyers In Dublin, OH

OVI/DUI Attorneys Serving Dublin, Ohio

Ohio imposes harsh penalties on drivers convicted in OVI/DUI cases. In some cases, firearms charges even arise from OVI situations. As a result, OVI/DUI charges in Dublin can cause significant damage to your future. The best way to protect yourself against these penalties if you’re facing this charge in the state is to turn to a skilled OVI/DUI attorney.

At The Law Offices of Saia, Marrocco & Jensen Inc., our award-winning OVI defense team has fought aggressively for thousands of clients throughout Ohio — and we can fight for you. Contact us to schedule a consultation and find out how we can safeguard your future today.

OVI/DUI Charges in Ohio

OVI in Ohio is similar to DUI in other states. OVI occurs when an operator of a motor vehicle operates a vehicle while impaired. The term “impaired” in this context covers a variety of circumstances, including:

Blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08% or higher
A specific concentration of illegal drugs in the blood
Driving while impaired by drugs or alcohol

It’s important to note that neither alcohol consumption nor a chemical test is necessary to be convicted of OVI.

OVI and Firearms Charges

If you are stopped and arrested for OVI in Dublin, the situation can quickly turn worse if you are in possession of a firearm. Ohio law allows you to possess a firearm in a vehicle under certain conditions. However, if these conditions are not met, you can be charged with improperly handling a firearm.

One of the conditions the law cites as improper handling involves transporting or possessing a loaded firearm while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. This influence could manifest as:

A BAC of .08% or higher
A specific concentration of an illegal drug in the blood
An impairment of reaction or mental process by drugs, alcohol, or both

If you have been charged with OVI and improper handling of a firearm, your future is on the line. Don’t wait to seek legal help from our seasoned team.

OVI Consequences Under Ohio Law

Facing any criminal punishment can feel overwhelming. Our ultimate goal at the Law Offices of Saia, Marrocco & Jensen Inc. is to shield you from the numerous penalties accompanying OVI convictions.

OVI Punishments

An OVI charge is a first-degree misdemeanor, with punishments based on your history of OVI charges. As a first-time offender, you could be looking at up to six months in jail and fines maxing out at $1,075. Second-time offenders face the same jail time but increased fines, while third-time offenders may see up to a year in jail and up to $2,750 in fines.

Convictions also come with license suspensions of up to three years for a first offense, up to seven years for a second, and up to 12 years for three or more convictions.

Improper Handling of Firearms in a Motor Vehicle

This charge is more serious than a standard OVI charge. It is a felony that may be charged as a fifth or a fourth-degree felony. Punishments for crimes charged at this level include:

Up to 12 months in prison for a fifth-degree felony
Up to 18 months in prison for a fourth-degree felony

Remember that these criminal penalties are in addition to the ones you face for OVI. In other words, you can face at least two sets of charges and two sets of consequences if a loaded gun is in your vehicle during an OVI arrest.

Collateral Consequences

A strong criminal defense from The Law Offices of Saia, Marrocco & Jensen can protect you from collateral consequences as well as criminal ones. Such consequences can impact your life far longer than criminal penalties.

Long after you have served your sentence and paid your fines, you may likely continue to experience collateral impacts from a conviction, including:

Job hunting difficulties
Issues with a professional license
Housing procurement issues
Loss of gun and other fundamental rights
Family law problems, such as child custody challenges
Reputational problems

If you have been charged with either or both of the crimes discussed here, the time to contact our office is now. An early defense is crucial to safeguarding yourself against these long-term impacts.

Defenses to OVI and Weapons Charges

Every OVI and gun charge situation offers unique opportunities for effective defenses. According to the facts of your case, we may concentrate our efforts on one or more of these key OVI defenses:

Unreasonable Stop

To legally stop your vehicle on the road, officers must have a valid reason for doing so, such as the commission of a traffic violation. Without such a reason, a stop is deemed to be unconstitutional, and any evidence seized at the stop must be thrown out.

As our client, you can rest assured that we will thoroughly investigate the initial reason for the stop for validity. Any inklings of racial profiling or other illegal activities will be flushed out and used to defend you.

Illegal Search and Seizure

The police are permitted to search your vehicle if they have probable cause that it contains evidence of a crime. They may also search your car after your OVI arrest in order to inventory the vehicle. If a loaded gun is found, you can expect a firearms charge.

However, if that search is done illegally, any items found during the search may not be used as evidence. For example, suppose that your vehicle was searched during a stop on West Granville Road before your arrest and without probable cause.

This scenario often happens after a driver who is not yet under arrest due to lack of probable cause is asked to exit their vehicle. Evidence found in this instance should be excluded.

Improper Arrest

An improper arrest usually involves a Miranda violation, which requires arrested individuals to be informed of certain fundamental rights, such as the right to remain silent. If your rights have been violated during an arrest, we can fight for the appropriate remedy, which is often the exclusion of verbal evidence.

No Evidence of Operation

You can’t get an OVI conviction if you weren’t operating a motor vehicle. However, operating does not only mean driving on Riverside Drive or I-270. Turning over the ignition with the car in park also applies.

If the facts in your case show that you didn’t even start your vehicle, we can fight for a reduced charge, dropped charges, or a dismissal. Other strong defenses include:

No evidence of impairment
Improper testing procedures
Poorly maintained chemical testing equipment

Whatever the charges you are facing, we have the resources, experience, and determination to thoroughly investigate and fight the charges against you. Remember that each stage of the case against you is an opportunity for an effective defense. The earlier you bring in defense counsel, the better we can defend you.

Contact Our Skilled Dublin OVI Lawyers Today

Have you been charged with OVI or OVI-related crimes in Dublin? A charge is only the beginning of the story. The dedicated Dublin criminal defense attorneys at The Law Offices of Saia, Marrocco & Jensen can fight to achieve the best possible outcome in your case, no matter the charges you are facing.

Call or contact us online today to speak to our experienced team today.