Have you been arrested for a DUI/OVI in Cincinnati, Ohio? Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers can help when you call (513) 333-0014. Our Cincinnati DUI/OVI lawyers can discuss your charges, answer your questions, and explain your legal options. Contact us today for a free consultation.
An OVI arrest can leave you wondering what happens next and what consequences you may face. The FAQs below provide general information about Ohio’s OVI laws, the criminal process, and some of the issues that commonly arise after a DUI/OVI arrest.
Why Choose Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers to Help if I’ve Been Accused of a DUI/OVI in Cincinnati, OH?
If you have been arrested for a DUI/OVI in Cincinnati, OH, Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers is prepared to represent you throughout every stage of your case. From challenging the evidence against you to protecting your rights throughout the criminal process, our attorneys work to build a defense strategy tailored to the facts of your case.
When you hire our Cincinnati criminal defense lawyers, you benefit from:
- More than 100 years of combined criminal defense experience
- Former prosecutors and a former police officer on our legal team
- Representation in first-time and repeat DUI/OVI cases
- Defense strategies tailored to the facts and evidence in your case
- Free consultations to discuss your legal options
- Availability 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Our attorneys can review the circumstances surrounding your DUI/OVI arrest, including the traffic stop, field sobriety testing, chemical testing, and other issues that may affect your case. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a Cincinnati DUI/OVI attorney.
What Is the Difference Between an OVI and a DUI in Ohio?
In Ohio, OVI (Operating a Vehicle Impaired) is the legal term used for impaired driving offenses. Although many people still refer to these charges as DUIs, Ohio law uses “OVI” instead.
An OVI charge may be based on impairment caused by alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both. A person may also be charged if they are found to have a prohibited concentration of alcohol or certain controlled substances in their system, even if there are no obvious signs of impairment.
What Happens After an OVI Arrest in Cincinnati?
After an OVI arrest, your case will move through Ohio’s criminal court process. Although every case is different, the process generally includes:
- Booking and release: Depending on the circumstances, you may be released after booking or held until your initial court appearance.
- Administrative License Suspension (ALS): If you refused or failed a chemical test, your driver’s license may be suspended immediately.
- Arraignment: You appear before the court, are formally advised of the charges, and enter a plea.
- Pretrial proceedings: The parties may exchange evidence, file motions, and discuss whether the case can be resolved without trial.
- Trial or resolution: If the case is not dismissed or resolved through a plea agreement, it may proceed to trial.
The timeline and outcome of an OVI case depend on the specific facts, the available evidence, and the legal issues involved.
Will I Lose My Driver’s License After an OVI?
A driver’s license suspension is a common consequence of an OVI arrest or conviction, but whether a suspension applies depends on the circumstances of the case.
Some drivers face an Administrative License Suspension (ALS) immediately after an arrest for refusing or failing a chemical test. Additional license suspensions may also be imposed if the driver is ultimately convicted of OVI. In some situations, limited driving privileges may be available during the suspension period.
Can I Refuse a Breath, Blood, or Urine Test?
Ohio’s implied consent law provides that anyone who operates a vehicle on Ohio roadways is deemed to have consented to chemical testing under certain circumstances.
A driver may physically refuse a breath, blood, or urine test, but refusing the test can carry legal consequences. Depending on the circumstances, a refusal may result in an Administrative License Suspension and may also be used as evidence during an OVI prosecution.
What Are the Penalties for an OVI Conviction?
The penalties for an OVI conviction depend on several factors, including whether it is a first or subsequent offense, the driver’s blood alcohol concentration, and whether any aggravating circumstances apply.
Potential penalties include:
- Jail time
- Fines
- Driver’s license suspension
- Probation or community control
- Mandatory alcohol or drug assessment or treatment
- Ignition interlock device requirements
- Vehicle immobilization or forfeiture in certain cases
Repeat OVI convictions generally carry more severe penalties than a first offense.
Can an OVI Charge Be Reduced or Dismissed?
Whether an OVI charge can be reduced or dismissed depends on the facts of the case. Every arrest is different, and the available evidence often determines what defenses may be available.
Issues that may affect an OVI case include:
- Whether the traffic stop was lawful
- Whether field sobriety tests were properly administered
- Whether breath, blood, or urine testing complied with Ohio law
- Whether law enforcement followed required procedures during the investigation
- Whether the evidence supports the charge beyond a reasonable doubt
No outcome can be guaranteed, but reviewing the facts and evidence is an important part of evaluating an OVI case.
Schedule a Free Case Evaluation With Our Cincinnati DUI/OVI Lawyers
If you have been arrested for a DUI/OVI in Cincinnati, Ohio, Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers can evaluate the circumstances surrounding your arrest, including the traffic stop, field sobriety testing, chemical testing, and other issues that may affect the prosecution’s case.
Call or contact the firm online today to schedule your free case evaluation with a Cincinnati DUI/OVI attorney.
