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DUI Lawyers in Summit County, OH

Offering Criminal Defense Services to Ohio Drivers

If you were pulled over on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol, you could end up with a suspended driver’s license, jail time, and fines. Fortunately, an experienced DUI attorney can craft a suitable criminal defense angle to reduce or avoid serious penalties, so we encourage you to contact Weisenburger Law Offices, LLC for legal help.

When you hire our legal team to handle your DUI case, you’ll work with a DUI lawyer who is eager to answer your questions right away so you have some peace of mind. If you’re ready to learn how we can defend you from serious criminal charges, call us to schedule your initial consultation.

What Are the DUI Laws in Ohio?

Every state has its own legal terms and laws that drivers are expected to know when it comes to driving under the influence. One of the most important details to know as an Ohio resident is that this state now refers to driving under the influence (DUI) as operating a vehicle impaired (OVI).

This is because Ohio updated its DUI/OVI law to reflect the fact that you can face this charge even if you’re not technically driving and your vehicle is not motorized. So, if you’re operating a bicycle while impaired, you could face OVI charges. The same is true if you’re impaired while in physical control of a vehicle but not driving, such as if you’re in the driver’s seat with the keys when arrested.

In most cases, being impaired means your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is 0.08% or higher. However, it is possible to get a DUI/OVI charge even if your BAC is under this limit. For example, drivers who are under age 21 can get an underage OVI for a BAC of 0.02%, while commercial vehicle drivers can get an OVI for a BAC of 0.04% or higher. These charges can lead to severe penalties, including jail time and loss of driving privileges, so you should contact us to learn how we will fight to help you avoid an OVI/DUI conviction.

What Are Ohio’s DUI/OVI Penalties?

It’s important to take your OVI charge seriously, whether it’s a misdemeanor or felony, as you face severe consequences with either type of offense. This is why it’s critical for Northeast Ohio drivers to hire law firms that are well acquainted with the state’s legal system when it comes to OVI charges. Our lawyers have years of legal experience and will defend your constitutional rights throughout your DUI/OVI defense case.

A first-time OVI charge is a misdemeanor with penalties that include three days to six months in jail. The fines you face can range from $375 to $1,075. If you get a second OVI/DUI charge within ten years of the first conviction, your penalties will increase to ten days to six months in jail, as well as $525 to $1,625 in fines.

A third OVI within ten years comes with even more serious penalties, though it’s still a misdemeanor. You could spend 30 days to one year in jail and pay between $850 and $2,750. These consequences are typically in addition to required alcohol counseling, loss of driving privileges for months or years, and installation of an ignition interlock device when you can drive again.

If you’ve been convicted of OVI/DUI three or more times within ten years, your fourth charge of this kind is a felony. This means you could spend between 60 days and one year in jail, though aggravating factors could result in up to three years of prison time. If you’re charged with felony OVI a second time, you could spend 120 days to five years in prison. The fines for a felony DWI/OVI conviction range from $1,350 to $10,500. Of course, you can also expect driver’s license suspension for years if convicted, so contact our law firm today for legal help with your Ohio OVI/DUI defense case.

Will You Lose Your Driving Privileges If Convicted?

While it makes sense to worry about fines and jail time for criminal cases in Ohio, OVI charges carry the added penalty of driver’s license suspension. The amount of time you’re barred from driving depends on certain details, including how many OVI offenses you have on your criminal record.

The typical license suspension timeframes include the following:

  • First offense: Six months to three years
  • Second offense: One to five years
  • Third offense: Two to twelve years
  • Fourth offense: Three years to permanent license suspension

Your Ohio OVI attorney will let you know how long your driver’s license suspension will likely last if convicted. Contact our office today to talk to a skilled attorney ready to defend you against criminal charges that could result in license suspension and other serious penalties.

Why Should You Hire DUI Lawyers in Summit County, OH?

If you were arrested for OVI in Ohio, you owe it to yourself to consult with a criminal defense attorney who can protect your rights. Skilled attorneys know how to handle criminal charges of all kinds to give clients the best possible outcome, so we encourage you to contact Weisenburger Law Offices, LLC for a consultation with a caring criminal defense lawyer.

When you meet with our attorneys, we’ll review the details of your case to determine possible defense angles. For example, we might discover that the arresting officer lacked probable cause to pull you over or ignored your rights during the arrest. We can also look for evidence that the samples for your blood or urine tests were improperly handled or remind the judge that field sobriety tests are unreliable for proving impaired driving offenses.

To find out how a criminal defense attorney from our team would approach your OVI case, call our Ohio law office at 330-296-8000.