Every state in America will tell you that they are tough on drunk driving. If you drink and then get behind the wheel of a vehicle, you are likely to be in serious trouble no matter where you are in any one of the 50 states. That being said, you do not want to be caught drinking and driving in the great state of Ohio.
In Ohio, the members of law enforcement use a term that is slightly different than one used in other states. When a driver is pulled over for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, the phrase that is used is operating a vehicle under the influence or OVI. Of course, the term means the same thing as a DUI (driving under the influence), but this is Ohio’s way of communicating the crime. If you are stopped by a member of law enforcement and eventually receive an OVI conviction, you are subject to a drivers license suspension pending a hearing. This hearing is called an Administrative License Suspension hearing or and ALS hearing.
Obviously, if you’re in any kind of trouble like what has been described above, you will want to find yourself the best Ohio DUI attorney you can find. Trying to navigate all of the laws and what they mean, especially if you find yourself in the condition most do when they are intoxicated, can be disastrous for you and your family. The best DUI attorney can help you make the best decisions when they have to be made. They will advocate for you in ways you cannot advocate for yourself. It is more than worth it to invest in a DUI lawyer that knows what to do.
Take, for example, the implied consent law that Ohio has on its books. If you are pulled over and refuse to take a chemical test for alcohol or drugs, you will be subject to a hefty fine and a drivers license suspension. And this is right off the bat. Knowing a criminal DUI attorney would obviously be the best person to know in a situation like that. A DUI is very damaging. It leaves you with a criminal record which can tarnish your chances to get a good job, go to college, or receive credit. This is why you need a solid attorney.
If you are facing DUI charges and a drivers license suspension, your lawyer can look through any video that might have been made of the arrest and other moments, contact witnesses you might not even realize there were, and challenge breathalyzer tests on your behalf. Surely you are beginning to see how important it is to find a good lawyer now before it’s too late.
Ohio is not the only state with very tough laws regarding driving under the influence, but it is one of the toughest. First of all, don’t drink and drive and you’ll be fine. But if you do drink and drive, be prepared for the worst. Be prepared with the best DUI attorney you can find.