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Jon J. Saia

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  • Rated by Super Lawyers | Jon J. Saia | 15 Years
  • Rated by Super Lawyers | Jon J. Saia | 15 Years
  • Rated by Super Lawyers | Jon J. Saia | 15 Years
  • Rated by Super Lawyers | Jon J. Saia | 15 Years

Jon J. Saia is a founding member of The Law Offices of Saia & Piatt, Inc., with offices located in Columbus and Delaware, Ohio.

Mr. Saia has more than 30 years of legal experience and focuses his practice in OVI defense, as well as defending criminal and traffic offenses in Ohio. Mr. Saia has earned a reputation in the Ohio legal community for aggressively defending clients against charges for OVI, criminal, and traffic offenses through his vast knowledge of the law and extensive trial experience.

Attorney Saia provides expert testimony on behalf of individuals arrested for OVI as it relates to standardized field sobriety testing. He has a reputation for outstanding professionalism, and is often consulted by other lawyers about breath testing issues relating to OVI arrests.

Attorney Saia was featured on the cover of the 2014 Super Lawyers Magazine for Ohio & Kentucky.

Attorney Saia is certified by The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration as an instructor in the administration of standardized field sobriety tests and is certified by National Patent Analytical Systems, Inc., the manufacturer of the BAC Datamaster, in the operation, diagnostic verification, and calibration of the BAC Datamaster Breath Alcohol Testing Instruments. The BAC Datamaster is the most commonly used breath alcohol testing instrument in Ohio.

Attorney Saia's years of experience and knowledge of the law ensures that every client receives excellent legal representation in the defense of OVI, criminal and traffic offenses. Mr. Saia shares his legal experience and knowledge through seminar speaking engagements and is often consulted by other lawyers and the media with regard to certain legal issues relating to OVI, as well as criminal and traffic offenses.

 

Areas of Practice

  • OVI Defense
  • Criminal Offenses
  • Traffic Offenses

Certified Legal Specialties

  • Standardized Field Sobriety Testing and Training, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the International Association of Chiefs of Police, 2005
  • Analytical Laboratories, Inc. and America Chemical Society Forensic Chromatography Theory and Practice , Axion Training Institute, Inc., 2015
  • Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the International Association of Chiefs of Police, 2014
  • Technology, Theory and Operation of the Intoxilyzer 8000 Breath Alcohol Testing Instrument, 2011
  • Gas Chromatography and Basic Principles of Metrology , 2011
  • Drug Evaluation and Classification Program – The Drug Recognition Expert Process, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the International Association of Chiefs of Police, 2006
  • DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing Instructor, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the International Association of Chiefs of Police, 2006
  • Operation, Diagnostic Verification and Calibration, 2004
  • Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE), NHTSA and IACP
  • BAC Datamaster Breath Alcohol Testing Instruments - operation, diagnostic verification, and calibration, National Patent Analytical Systems, Inc.

Bar Admissions

  • Ohio, 1987
  • Pennsylvania, 1998
  • U.S. District Court Southern District of Ohio, 1988
  • U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit, 1991

Education

  • Capital University Law School, Columbus, Ohio
    • J.D. - 1986
  • Kings College, Wilkes-Barre
    • B.A. - 1983
  • University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland
    • B.A. - 1983

Published Works

  • Co-authored with Dr. Alfred Staubus Aspatore Publishing, Inside the Minds – Understanding DUI Scientific Evidence, “What Is 50 Pounds Overweight?”
  • Inside the Minds – Trends in DUI Discovery, Aspatore Publishing, “Integrating DUI Discovery and Defense Strategy”
  • "The Inconvenient Truth about the Intoxolyzer 8000" , OACDL Vindicator
  • Ohio Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Law You Can Use , Ohio State Bar Association, “Ohio’s New OVI Law”, 2006
  • “What is an Administrative License Suspension?” Law You Can Use, Ohio State Bar Association, 2007
  • “Regaining You Driving Privileges After a DUI” Law You Can Use, Ohio State Bar Association, 2006
  • (Co-authored with Darrell M. Cosgrove) “Constitutional Rights Limited in OVI Cases” Law You Can Use , Ohio State bar Association, 2006
  • “Field Sobriety test Predict BAC” Law You Can Use, Ohio State Bar Association, 2006
  • “Signs of Impaired Driving” Law You Can Use, Ohio State Bar Association, 2006
  • “Being Stopped for DUI” Law You Can Use, Ohio State Bar Association, 2006
  • “Understand Drinking and Driving Risks” Law You Can Use, Ohio State Bar Association, 2006
  • “Know OVI Laws” Law You Can Use, Ohio State Bar Association, 2006
  • “Know Your Limits” Law You Can Use, Ohio State Bar Association, 2006
  • “Ohio’s New CDL Disqualification Law” Bar Briefs, Columbus Bar Association, 2005

Representative Clients

  • Columbus, Ohio State v. Franklin, Case No. 2014TRC128828, Judge Carrie Glaeden, September 23, 2014
  • Cincinnati, Ohio State v. Heffner, Case No. C/13/TRC/27999, Judge Melissa Powers, November 27, 2013
  • Fairfield Municipal Court Fairfield, Ohio State v. Levine, Case No. 2012TRC01099, Judge Joyce Campbell, January 2013
  • Mt. Vernon Municipal Court Mt. Vernon, Ohio State v. Clark, Case No. 12TRC00437, Judge Paul E. Spurgeon, December 6, 2012
  • Clark County Municipal Court Springfield, Ohio, State v. Reckner, Case No. 2012 TRC 1204518, Judge Thomas E.Trempe, July 10, 2012
  • Franklin County Municipal Court, Columbus, Ohio, State v. Hood, Case No. 2010TRC193018, Judge Mark Hummer, March 14, 2011
  • Summit County Court of Common Pleas, Akron, Ohio, State of Ohio v. Vitaly Simin, Case No. 2009-04-1047, Judge Judith Hunter, November 13, 2009
  • Fayette County District Court, Lexington, Kentucky, Commonwealth of Kentucky v. Paul Haney, Case No. 09-T-13968, Judge Julie Muth Goodman, October 8, 2009
  • Delaware County Municipal Court Delaware, Ohio, State of Ohio v. Jennifer McIntyre, Case No. 08TRC12732, Judge David Sunderman, June 30, 2009
  • Municipal Court of Mansfield, Ohio Mansfield, Ohio State of Ohio v. Shari Robertson, Case No. 2008TRC9711, Judge Jerry E. Ault, May 27, 2009
  • Delaware County Municipal Court Delaware, Ohio State of Ohio v. Jennifer McIntyre, Case No. 08TRC12732, Judge David Sunderman, February 26, 2009
  • Auglaize County Municipal Court Wapakoneta, Ohio State of Ohio v. Larry Elsass Case No. 2007-TRC-5554, Judge Gary W. Herman, May 23, 2008
  • Fayette County District Court Lexington, Kentucky, Commonwealth of Kentucky v. Michael Bruno, Case No. 07-T-14615, Judge Hayse, September 27, 2007
  • Franklin County Municipal Court Columbus, Ohio State of Ohio v. Melissa Shaffer, Case No. 2006-TRC-215930, Judge Julia L. Dorrian, May 2, 2007
  • Berea Municipal Court Berea, Ohio City of Berea v. Robert Key, Case No. 05-TRC-04823, Magistrate Lazzaro, September 18, 2006
  • Medina Municipal Court Medina, Ohio State of Ohio v. Reuben Droughns, Case No.05-TRC-09600, Judge Dale H. Chase, March 13, 2006
  • Fairfield County Municipal Court Lancaster, Ohio State of Ohio v. Jeremiah Ross, Case No. 2005-TRC-05502, Judge David A. Trimmer, October 28, 2005
  • Auglaize County Municipal Court Wapakoneta, Ohio State of Ohio v. Lonnie Heitkamp, Case No. 2005-TRC-1526, Judge Gary W. Herman, August 30, 2005
  • Warren County Municipal Court Lebanon, Ohio State of Ohio v. Gary Hancock, Case No. 05-TRC-1616, Judge Joseph Kirby, August 23, 2005
  • Warren County Municipal Court Lebanon, Ohio State of Ohio v. Ted Kissell, Case No. 04-TRC-1080, Judge Joseph Kirby, August 23, 2005
  • Rowan District Court Morehead, Kentucky Commonwealth of Kentucky v. Todd Pratt, Case No. 04-M-01295, Judge William Lane, June 8, 2005
  • Delaware County Municipal Court Delaware, Ohio State of Ohio v. Donald Kenney, Case No. 2005TRC 14527, Judge David P. Sunderman, March 29, 2005
  • Franklin County Municipal Court, Columbus, Ohio State of Ohio v. Laura Reitz, Case No. 2004 TRC 210336, Judge Carrie E. Glaeden, March 1, 2005
  • Court of Common Pleas, Green County, Ohio State of Ohio v. Randall Knox, Case No. 2004 CR 798, Judge J. Timothy Campbell, February 28, 2005
  • Franklin County Municipal Court Columbus, Ohio State of Ohio v. Stephen Beaver, Case No. 2004 TRC 117887, Judge Julia Dorrian, September 30, 2004
  • Franklin County Municipal Court, Columbus, Ohio State of Ohio v. Westley Smith, Case No. 2003 TRC 218435, Judge James Green, April 29, 2004
  • Franklin County Municipal Court, Columbus, Ohio State of Ohio v. Ivan Mounts, Case No. 2003 TRC 194554, Judge Paul Herbert, April 22, 2004
  • Marion County Municipal Court Marion, Ohio State of Ohio v. James C. Nutter, Jr., Case Number TRC0312844, Judge Finnegan, February 26, 2004
  • Delaware County Municipal Court Delaware, Ohio State of Ohio v. Mary B. Ramey, Case Number: 03TRC-07267, Judge David P. Sunderman, July 16, 2003
  • Fairborn Municipal Court Fairborn, Ohio State of Ohio v. Jon McClennan, Case Number: 02 TRC 08962, Magistrate Schaengold, December 23, 2002
  • Court of Common Pleas Delaware County, Ohio State of Ohio v. Tantarelli, Case Number: 02-CR-I-09-440, Judge Everett Krueger,December 6, 2002
  • Delaware County Municipal Court Delaware, Ohio State of Ohio v. Patrick Kuhlman, Case Number: 01 TRC 14874, Judge David P. Sunderman, February 13, 2002
  • Delaware County Municipal Court Delaware, Ohio State of Ohio v. Stephanie Grabowski, Case Number: 01 TRC 07456, Judge Michael C. Hoague, July 11, 2001
  • Delaware County Municipal Court Delaware, Ohio State of Ohio v. Bradford Salyer, Case Number: 01 TRC 06673, D. Richard Reeder (sitting by assignment), June 29, 2001
  • Delaware County Municipal Court Delaware, Ohio State of Ohio v. Christopher S. McGowen, Case Number: 00 TRC 10932, Judge Michael C. Hoague, October 19, 2000
  • Delaware County Municipal Court Delaware, Ohio State of Ohio v. Thomas E. Hoke, Case Number: 00 TRC 00360, Judge Michael C. Hoague, May 19, 2000
  • Lancaster Municipal Court Lancaster, Ohio State of Ohio v. Kasmer Jeffries Case Number: 98 TRC 13567, Judge McAuliffe, August 25, 1999
  • Delaware County Municipal Court Delaware, Ohio of Ohio v. Richard Warner, Case Number: 98 TRC00649, Judge Michael C. Hoague, July 2, 1999
  • Delaware County Municipal Court Delaware, Ohio State of Ohio v. John E. Cloud, Case Number: 98 TRC 08403, Judge Michael C. Hoague, December 8, 1998
  • Madison County Municipal Court London, Ohio State of Ohio v. Celeste L. Losego, Case Number: 98 TRC 03805, Judge R. David Picken, December 3, 1998
  • Franklin County Municipal Court Columbus, Ohio City of Grove City vs. Michael Hardin, Case Number: M9710TFC-150580, Judge Steven B. Hayes, May 4, 1998

Classes/Seminars

  • OACDL 2015 Advanced DUI Defense Seminar & Trial Skills Academy, Topics: Obtaining and Reviewing Videos in OVI/DUI Cases and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing at Hearings & Trials, 3/12/15
  • OSBA Criminal Advocacy Seminar, Topic: Plea Bargains, 9/4/14
  • Central Ohio Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Presentation, Topic: Handling an OVI Case - From Start to Finish, 5/28/14
  • Ohio State Bar Association Annual Convention, Topic: OVI Law Update, 5/1/14
  • DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing Course, Topic: Proper Procedures for Administering SFSTs, 4/12/14
  • 8th Annual Driving Into A DUI Seminar, Topic: Drug Recognition, Evaluation and Classification in Drugged Driving Cases, 2/20/14

Honors and Awards

  • Columbus CEO Magazine's Top Lawyers (DUI/DWI Defense), 2015
  • Ohio Super Lawyer (DUI Defense)
  • Top 50: Columbus Super Lawyers, 2013-2021
  • Top 100: Ohio Super Lawyers, 2014-2021
  • The Best Lawyers in America
  • AV Preeminent® Rating by Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™
  • Avvo Superb 10.0 Rating
  • American Society of Legal Advocates
  • Super Lawyers Top 5 Columbus, OH 2021

Professional Associations and Memberships

  • Central Ohio Association for Justice, Member
  • National College for DUI Defense, Member
  • Ohio Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Chair (DUI Defense)
  • Delaware Bar Association, Member
  • Columbus Bar Association, Member
  • Ohio State Bar Association, Member
  • Central Ohio Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, President-Elect
  • National Association for Criminal Defense Lawyers
  • Athens County Bar Association
  • Thomas More Society
  • Master Mind Group

Past Employment Positions

  • Delaware County Municipal Court, Visiting Magistrate, 1998 to 2000
  • The Law Office of Jon J. Saia, General Practice Attorney, 1987 to 1995