Ohio’s impaired driving consequences are harsher if you have prior convictions within a certain timeframe. Ohio calls this a “lookback” period. The lookback period is the window courts use to determine whether a current OVI charge counts as a repeat offense. Ohio’s OVI Laws and the Lookback Period Ohio sets...

Driving through Ohio with an out-of-state license doesn’t shield you from Ohio’s drunk driving laws. If you’re charged with operating a vehicle impaired (OVI), you’ll face the same penalties as Ohio drivers. How Ohio Defines OVI It’s illegal to operate any vehicle in Ohio if you’re impaired by alcohol, drugs,...

If the police arrest you for operating a vehicle while intoxicated, that does not automatically mean that you will face a conviction. A tailored defense strategy can help you fight for a more favorable outcome to your case. A person facing prosecution for OVI in Ohio may have various defenses...

It’s a mistake to think that a first drunk driving charge in Ohio isn’t a big deal. Even a first conviction can have drastic consequences, from jail time and fines to losing your driver’s license. So, if you’re wondering whether you need an Ohio OVI defense lawyer for a first...

You don’t want a drunk driving charge showing up on a background check when you apply for a job or housing in Ohio, particularly if the charge was a felony. Unfortunately, an OVI conviction will likely appear on a background check, even if the charge was a misdemeanor. A charge...

Ohio residents are often surprised to learn that they can face criminal charges if they’re impaired and inside their car, even when the vehicle isn’t moving. While this charge differs slightly from a standard OVI (“Operating a Vehicle Impaired”), the offense still carries harsh penalties, including a driver’s license suspension,...

If you’re facing a repeat OVI (“Operating a Vehicle Impaired”) charge in Ohio, your prior offenses could shape your future. Ohio uses a lookback period to determine whether a previous offense will count against you in your current case. If your previous OVI falls within the lookback period, you’ll face...

St. Paddy’s Pub Crawl: What You Need to Know About DUI & OVI in Delaware, OH St. Patrick’s Day pub crawls and other celebrations are popular throughout Ohio. When a celebration revolves around drinking alcohol, however, anyone without a designated driver is at risk of being charged with Operating a...

Field sobriety tests are physical and mental exercises that police officers sometimes use to check if a driver might be under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Officers usually administer these tests during traffic stops when they suspect impaired driving. Common field sobriety tests include the walk-and-turn, one-leg stand, and...

Countless scenarios exist following the flashing lights reflecting in the mirror or a criminal suspect’s car. For many Ohio residents who use marijuana legally and face criminal charges, the level of THC in their system could lead to an arrest. New legislation could change what many believe is a disconnect...

The flashing lights coming from a police car are your first indication that you may be in serious trouble. A law enforcement official has detained you over suspicion of drunk driving. As they speak to you, they are actually conducting an active investigation. Whether you realize it or not, you...

3 ways to dispute your OVI charge in Ohio Getting charged with operating a vehicle under the influence can be frightening and confusing. People naturally want to be able to defend themselves after such an accusation, especially if they believe the charge to be false. Having an OVI conviction on...

If you are like most Americans, you probably depend heavily upon your car in order to get to work, buy groceries, and take care of all sorts of tasks. It can be devastating, then, to learn that you might not be able to drive for several months or even years....

Getting a charge for operating a vehicle impaired (OVI) can have hard consequences. The penalties for an OVI conviction in Ohio include jail time, a lengthy license suspension and expensive fines, punishments everyone wants to avoid. However, if you have a charge for this crime you may eliminate your possibility...

For decades, the little black box called the Breathalyzer has been an arbiter of justice and the finder of guilt or innocence in DWI cases nationwide. But a recent New York Times study has revealed that breath-test machines are badly flawed. “The machines are sensitive scientific instruments, and in many...

When people think of driving while under the influence, the first thing to come to mind is usually alcohol. While alcohol is still the most common intoxicant in intoxicated driving cases, these is a rising trend that is causing lots of people large amounts of concern: driving while drugged. Even...

It’s the holiday season once again. For most of us, that means more family gatherings, parties, and community events. For law enforcement, it means more drunk drivers on the road, more patrols, and more arrests. It’s normal for many of us to enjoy alcohol more frequently around the holidays, but...

Earlier this month, Attorney Jon Saia successfully secured the dismissal of an OVI charge for his client, Judge Dean Wilson. Last week, the prosecution admitted that they agreed to drop the OVI charges because they concurred with Attorney Saia– there was a critical lack of evidence to support a drunk...

The Ohio Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (OACDL) seeks to inform and better equip defense attorneys through its annual Advanced DUI Defense Seminar & Trial Skills Academy. This year’s event was held March 12-14, and numerous expert presenters were invited to speak about the defense of breathalyzer machine evidence. Attorney...

In most OVI cases, OVI/DUI Defense Attorneys find themselves locking horns with prosecutors across the State of Ohio. However, a new ploy by the Ohio Department of Health has left defense attorneys on the sideline to watch what can best be described as a battle between bickering siblings. The State...

I often get phone calls from previous clients who are applying for school or for a new job and want to know if they have disclose a conviction for a Reckless Operation, a Physical Control or an OVI. The answer depends completely on how the question is posed and the...

The validity and accuracy of blood test results are often disputed during OVI and DUI trials. In order to provide our clients with the best possible defense against drunk driving charges, Attorney Jon Saia recently completed a course in Forensic Chromatography. Understanding the complicated steps that are involved in properly...

Why do police officers make suspected drunk drivers stare at a pen, stand on one leg, and walk a straight line? These “tests” are called “Standardized Field Sobriety Tests” (SFST) and were developed in the late 1970s and early 1980s as a way for law enforcement to establish a standardized...