OVI
Getting arrested for Operating a Vehicle under the Influence (OVI) is serious enough on its own. When a child is in the car, the consequences become exponentially more severe. Ohio law treats this situation with particular gravity, and for good reason. If you find yourself facing OVI charges with a...
Drivers can face serious trouble when an officer mistakes a medical issue for impairment, and it happens in Ohio more often than people think. The Law Offices of Saia, Marrocco & Jensen Inc. uses a results-focused, hands-on approach to guide clients through these situations. Our lawyers build personalized strategies supported...
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, approximately one thousand people die every December in drunk driving accidents in the U.S. With the holidays of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s occurring within a roughly five-week span, people have ample opportunities to attend parties and family dinners where they may...
Everyone knows that they can face an arrest and prosecution for OVI in Ohio after driving while under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs. However, what many may not realize is that they can also face a potential arrest for driving after taking prescription medication. Some prescription drugs can...
If the police stop and arrest you for drunk or drugged driving, you might worry about the consequences you could face from an OVI charge. An arrest or conviction for OVI in Ohio can have various consequences. But what will happen to your driver’s license if the police stop you...
Ohio law bases penalties for an OVI conviction on the number of prior convictions a driver has in the “lookback period.” When you get arrested for OVI after a previous drunk driving conviction, you may face increased penalties if convicted on your new OVI charge. Your eligibility for increased penalties...
The potential consequences of a drunk driving conviction in Ohio include jail time, hefty fines, a driver’s license suspension, and more. Your attorney will fight for the best possible outcome in your case, but do the authorities ever drop DUI charges in Ohio? If so, how do you persuade them...
Ohio refers to drunk driving as operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or “OVI”—emphasis on the word operating. This raises a critical question: can someone be arrested on suspicion of OVI if they were not actually driving the vehicle at the time? The answer may surprise...
You’ve likely heard the term “DUI” to describe the offense of driving a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs. In Ohio, you might also have heard the term “operating a vehicle under the influence,” or “OVI,” to describe this offense. So, what’s the difference between these terms? There...
If you’ve recently been arrested for OVI in Ohio for the first time, you may be worried about the possibility of having to serve jail time. Can you go to jail for a first-time OVI? The answer is yes, although whether you do will depend on a range of factors,...
When a police officer pulls you over for suspicion of intoxicated or drugged driving, they may ask you to step out of the vehicle to perform field sobriety tests. Should you agree, your performance on those tests and overall appearance and demeanor may give the officer probable cause to charge...
Have you been charged with operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol, drugs or both (OVI) in Ohio while on probation for another offense? If so, you’re likely worried about the consequences you could face, even if you ultimately beat the charge. Unfortunately, probationers who get arrested for OVI...
Were you recently arrested for operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs (OVI) in Ohio for the first time? Here’s what to expect next and what consequences you may face if you’re convicted. Legal Penalties for First-Time OVI Offenders In Ohio, the law considers an OVI offense a “first...
What Happens Immediately After a DUI Arrest in Ohio? An Ohio police officer might arrest you for operating a vehicle under the influence (OVI) if they suspect you are driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The officer might pull you over for traffic violations such as swerving, speeding,...
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...
Whether at an event or on your way to work, your car is often your lifeline. When you find yourself needing to get back home at the end of the day, you count on being able to drive there. However, when you combine drinking and driving, you could end up...
If you are facing charges for operating a vehicle while impaired in Ohio, you likely already recognize the seriousness of your situation. After all, not only may you face a stiff fine and a potential jail sentence, but you may also lose your driving privileges. The length of your license...
Even though Uber has only been around Columbus and other Ohio cities for a few years, the ride-sharing service has quickly become one of the most ways for those without cars to get around affordably. That is not to say that Uber and Lyft are not used by people who...
When thinking about alcoholism, most people imagine a person without a home, job, or family that has lost everything to his or her addiction. However, this is not true for the vast majority of alcoholics. A high-functioning alcoholic is a person who is able to keep life together for the...
With Independence Day right around the corner, many people in Ohio are getting ready to join in the festivities with friends and family. Most holiday parties involve alcohol, and it’s important for all those who plan on driving to and from events to understand what can happen if they are...
There are many factors that affect how someone absorbs alcohol, and it is important to understand what they are to avoid getting an OVI in Ohio. Even drinkers of the same size and gender can metabolize alcohol differently, which can make it difficult to determine when someone has had too...
Many Ohio residents begin planning picnics, trips to the beach and tailgate parties as Spring days become longer and warmer. Gatherings of this type frequently include alcohol. At The Law Offices of Saia, Marrocco & Jensen Inc., we often represent clients arrested for operating under the influence (OVI). According to...
Self-driving or autonomous vehicles are touted as a solution to the safety issues caused by human error when operating a vehicle. Depending on the type of vehicle and its capabilities, some people even wonder whether automated vehicles will solve the problem of drunk driving. Getting an answer to this question...
You hear a lot of phrases used to describe drunk driving violations. While driving under the influence (DUI) and driving while intoxicated (DWI) are quite common in many states, Ohio uses the phrase operating a vehicle impaired (OVI). The Ohio State Bar Association explains the reasoning behind this, as well...
Operating a vehicle intoxicated is against the law in Ohio. If law enforcement pulls you over and requests that you take a field sobriety test, you can refuse. Unfortunately, the consequences of declining may include spending the night in jail. At The Law Offices of Saia, Marrocco & Jensen Inc.,...
‘Tis the season for family, friends, celebrations and – drunk driving charges? As you know, many Ohio residents include alcohol in their festivities during the holidays. Law enforcement is also aware of this, and takes steps during key holidays, such as Christmas and New Year’s Eve, to catch drunk drivers...
Have you been arrested and charged with a drunk driving offense in Ohio? If so, you are no doubt interested in learning as much as you can about your options to defend yourself against this charge. One of the things you should know is that the three roadside tests used...
Legal issues that arise from alcohol abuse can alter your life drastically. That’s why people in Columbus recently charged with an OVI should consider whether they need help for alcohol abuse. Not only can alcoholism result in legal woes, it can also harm relationships with friends and family and cause...
One of the more common questions people in Columbus have regarding the issue of drunk driving is how many drinks will cause them to become intoxicated? Many hope this will help them know exactly then they will feel drunk. Unfortunately, there truly is no general answer to the question of...
A 63-year-old Ohio man recently was arrested for his fifth operating a vehicle under the influence (OVI) offense after crashing his car into a utility pole in the northern part of the state. According to authorities, alcohol as well as distracted driving played factors in the accident. As a repeat...
If you are pulled over on suspicion of drinking while driving, you may be asked to take a roadside breath test. Law enforcement officers in Ohio and in other parts of the United States often use breath tests to determine whether someone is driving with an alcohol level that is...
In this most recent incident, the man reportedly refused any field sobriety tests before being released into his wife’s custody. He was later arrested at his home for allegedly stealing his sister’s car (which he had been a passenger in while she stopped to pick up food from a local...
Once upon a time, the law in Ohio created a presumption that a driver was impaired with a .15 Blood Alcohol Content (BAC). Then the law changed and created a “per se” violation of the law at a .10 BAC. It has since been reduced a legal limit of a...
The entire holiday season is one meant to be filled with relaxation and joyous times — this is, after all, the sentiment of most Ohio residents who celebrate around this time of year. Yet by the same token, the holidays can bring about trouble when travelling. This can be especially...
Holiday parties in Ohio are sometimes a little too much fun, but you stopped drinking a while ago and switched to coffee. You feel confident and competent to drive home, at least until you find yourself among all the other drivers inching through a sobriety checkpoint. According to the Ohio...
If people are at a holiday party and realize too late that somebody spiked the eggnog, they should enjoy riding home in the back of a cab instead of driving home behind the wheel. That is what one Cleveland judge hopes they will do. WKBN 27 tells of a municipal...
Sobriety checkpoints are not uncommon in the state of Ohio. These checkpoints are designed to help deter drunk driving and remove those from the roads who have consumed too much alcohol to drive. The following provides information on what these checkpoints are and what a stop can mean for your...
Driving home from time spent with friends and family during the Thanksgiving weekend, people likely faced heavier than usual traffic on the Ohio streets, and may also have found themselves facing a DUI checkpoint. According to the Ohio State Bar Association, these legal traffic stops allow law enforcement to stop...
On September 24th, 2017, The Law Offices of Saia, Marrocco & Jensen Inc. sponsored Taste CLE’s Event “Tequila Fest Willoughby 2017” located in Downtown Willoughby, Ohio, a small town suburb on the east side of Cleveland. The five hour event featured over 20 tequila brands and a total of 45...
For years, one number has been hammered over and over in your head as well as those of every other driver in Columbus: 0.08. That is the percentage of blood alcohol content that law enforcement uses to determine whether or not you are legally drunk. Most hold to that number...
Gone are the days when a person in Ohio could not get in much trouble riding a bike. Until more recent years, operating a bike while intoxicated did not land a person in legal trouble like driving a car drunk did. Ohio is one state that changed the law regarding...
Golf legend Tiger Woods appears to be on the verge of settling his drunk driving case via plea bargain, although no deal is in place as of yet. The prosecutor in the case told reporters that Woods is expected to enter a first-time drunk driver diversion program in which defendants...
The 53-year-old former CEO of Anheuser-Busch brewing was arrested earlier this week on suspicion of trying to fly a helicopter under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Any charges to be filed are pending the return of toxicology tests. The former CEO and his wife were arrested on Monday. Shortly...
The July 4th holiday weekend has come and gone and the Ohio State Highway Patrol has released some statistics from the weekend. Even though the holiday was on a Tuesday, many people enjoyed a very long holiday weekend from Friday through Tuesday, causing gridlock everywhere as families traveled to and...
A conviction for operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs (OVI) already comes with serious penalties, from driver’s license suspension to fines to time behind bars. However, one Ohio judge is adding on a new penalty, one he believes will prevent repeat offenses: a requirement to download...
If you’ve been arrested for drunk driving in Ohio, your driving privileges are at immediate risk. You may know that your driver’s license can be suspended if you are convicted, but many people don’t realize that an administrative license suspension, or ALS, is put in place right away. There are...
Annie’s Law, which was passed into law in January, went into effect in April. It’s goal is to keep drunk drivers off the streets of Ohio. This law will impact how people convicted of drinking and driving are punished. What Does Annie’s Law Do? A piece from WXVU addresses what...
The state of Ohio takes a dim view of those who operate motor vehicles while drunk or under the influence of any drug. Operating a vehicle under the influence (OVI) charges can have serious, long-lasting repercussions for drivers in Ohio. You could face fines, jail time and the loss of...
Jon Saia, along with Robert La Pier and Ken Bossin, recently led a DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Test course in Cleveland, Ohio. Saia instructed students on the proper way to perform roadside field sobriety testing, an essential skill for attorneys practicing OVI/DWI defense. The course is the same...
Drunk driving is serious and something that law enforcement agencies are doing their best to curb. Being pulled over for a DUI stop can be scary and stressful, especially for those who have never been pulled over by a police officer. Being arrested and charged with DUI does not have...
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...
For many people, St. Patrick’s Day is a time for celebration – whether they have Irish ancestry or not. This celebrating often includes drinking alcohol, as it is the fourth most popular drinking holiday in the U.S., behind New Year’s Eve, Christmas and Independence Day. In Ohio and throughout the...
July 4th weekend is right around the corner and while the rest of us are planning to partake in some summer fun over the long weekend, law enforcement agencies are heightening their vigilance on roadways throughout Ohio. As with other holiday weekends, this one will come with a spike of...
After hearing oral arguments on April 20, 2016, the Supreme Court issued a landmark (in the OVI world) decision today in the case of Birchfield v. North Dakota, et al. The question posed to the Court was whether a blood or breath test can be taken without a warrant and...
If you have a friend or relative who has been incarcerated, you want them home as soon as possible. Judicial Release is one way in which an incarcerated individual may be able to come home early. Judicial release may be granted by the sentencing judge under the following conditions: The...
Memorial Day weekend 2016 is right around the corner. While that means many of us are planning BBQs and backyard celebrations, local law enforcement agencies are preparing for something else: an increase in possible drunk drivers on the road. Every year, Columbus and surrounding areas see increased vigilance from police...
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...
In a recent ruling, The Ohio Supreme Court clarified the correct, potential sentencing for repeat OVI offenders. In the opinion from Justice Judith L. French, OVI defendants who qualify as repeat offenders are subject to not only penalties from their original offense, but penalties provided by the repeat offender statute....
If you’re like thousands of other residents of the Greater Columbus area, you’re planning on traveling to take part in Labor Day festivities this weekend. Every year, along with all the BBQs and poolside fun with friends and family, Labor Day weekend brings a spike in drunk driving activity. Local...
Civilian recordings of interactions with law enforcement have been all over the news lately. Many citizens have come to the conclusion that using a cell phone to record a traffic stop or other police confrontation is the only way to ensure that their rights are protected and that an officer...
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...
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...
At The Law Offices of Saia, Marrocco & Jensen Inc. we are dedicated to providing the best possible representation to our clients. In order to accomplish this goal, we frequently attend conferences and seminars that enable us to stay up-to-date on the latest in OVI defense. Our firm hosted an...
This week Ohio Tavern News published an article written by Attorney Joseph Hada about a recent Ohio Supreme Court ruling that determined that the legitimacy of any breath test can be challenged in court. This ruling is a huge step for OVI/DUI defense and gives our team at The Law...
Attorney Jon Saia has years of experience handling OVI cases in Ohio, and his insight was recently sought out by ABC 6 for a story about a repeat drunk driver. Although not involved with this case, Attorney Saia spoke to ABC 6 as a legal expert. Watch Attorney Saia’s interview...
The Ohio Legislature is considering a bill which would make ignition interlock devices (IID) mandatory for first time OVI offenders. H.B. 469 or “Annie’s Law,” will be voted on next week by the House of Representatives Judiciary Committee. Jessica D’Varga, of The Law Offices of Saia, Marrocco & Jensen Inc.,...
Does your child’s parent struggle with alcohol or drug abuse? Have you been accused of having an alcohol or drug abuse problem? During a divorce or child custody proceeding, one of the difficult issues before a Court is addressing a parent’s struggle with alcohol and/or drugs, as these issues could...
The Law Offices of Saia, Marrocco & Jensen Inc., is excited to announce that we will be hosting an Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement Course (ARIDE), which will feature Senior Instructor Robert F. LaPier. The ARIDE course will take place Friday, November 21 st through Saturday, November 22 nd at...
I recently became aware that the Ohio Legislature, with the blessing of the governor, recently amended Ohio law to read as follows: “When a person is charged with two or more offenses as a result of or in connection with the same act and the final disposition of one, and...
If you have been placed under a driver’s rights suspension either by the court or by the BMV, here are some important tips for properly reinstating your license at the conclusion of the suspension: Be sure to pay your reinstatement fee either prior too or on the date your suspension...
One of our experienced defense attorneys, Jon Jensen, has helped an OVIclient obtain a beneficial outcome in Delaware County Municipal Court. The client was stopped for failing to yield at a stop sign. She submitted to field sobriety testing, which she failed. The client refused a chemical test and was...
The Law Offices of Saia, Marrocco & Jensen Inc. is hosting a DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Test Student Certification Course this September. The three-day course will take place at Hyatt Place Worthington in Columbus, OH from September 19-21. This event is only open to the first 25 people...
In some situations, your OVI attorney may be able to negotiate a “reduction” of an OVI offense. A “reduction” means that the prosecutor is willing to amend the OVI charge filed against you to something less serious than an OVI. Generally speaking, there are two types of reductions common in...
Columbus Defense Attorney Jon J. Saia recently provided members of theCentral Ohio Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (COACDL) with an informative overview of the various steps involved in handling OVI cases. His presentation, which he gave on May 28, 2014, was called “Handling an OVI Case – From Start to...
After fighting for nearly two years, on April 28, 2014 Attorney Jon J. Saiafinally achieved the successful appeal of his client’s OVI charge in Wayne County, OH. In the appellate case, the Court of Appeals ruled that Attorney Saia’s client must be discharged of OVI, despite the fact that he...
Being placed under arrest and charged with a criminal offense is a scary and stressful situation. For most people who come to us for help, it is the first time they have ever run afoul of the law and require the services of an attorney. Below are the basics of...
Attorney Jon Saia recently obtained a positive case result for a client who was accused of OVI, reckless operation of a motor vehicle, failure to control, and endangering a child for failing to use proper restraints in a vehicle. The New Lexington man received a far less severe conviction and...
Did you know that many of the rights afforded to citizens by both the United States and Ohio constitutions do not apply in OVI cases. * Police officers do not have to advise you of your right to remain silent until after you are in custody. Statements you may make...
In a recent case victory, Columbus OVI Attorney Jon Saia helped a man facing four criminal charges–two for OVI and two for a weapons offense–get completely cleared of the allegations filed against him. Through the lawyer’s skillful legal representation of his client, he was able to get two of the...
Jon Saia, one of the skilled Columbus DUI attorneys at our law firm, just served as a presenter at the 8 th Annual Driving Into a DUI seminar. The event took place in Key West on February 20, 2014. At the seminar, Attorney Saia spoke on the topic of “Drug...
All it takes is one simple error or violation of lab protocol can completely compromise the evidence in a DUI or OVI case. This was shown very clearly in a recent news story that highlighted “sloppy work” carried out by criminalist at the Ohio State Highway Patrol Crime Lab. In...
The Bureau of Motor Vehicles will order the suspension of your Ohio driver’s license if you accumulate 12 points on your driving record in a two-year period. Points can be recorded on your license for various traffic offenses. The number of points applied depends on the nature of the moving...
You are driving home after a dinner with friends where you had a couple drinks. Suddenly you see flashing lights in your rearview mirror, and you realize you’ve been speeding. You don’t feel as if you’d had too much to drink, but you know you’ve had some alcohol. What do...
Each year, thousands of police officers are provided a manual compiled by the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) with techniques utilized by law enforcement to detect whether someone is driving with a BAC over.08. Police officers are trained in OVI/DUI detection and the proper administration of standardized field...
Taking a breathalyzer or refusing it is a tricky matter. As an OVI/DUI defense attorney, the question most frequently asked by friends, family, and complete strangers is this: “If I get pulled over for drunk driving, should I take the breath test?” The short answer is “It depends.” The OVI/DUI...