OHIO DUI / DWI / OVI LAWS

It is illegal in the State of Ohio for any person to operate a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs OR to operate a vehicle with a level of alcohol or drugs in their blood that the legislature has deemed to be prohibited (.08% or more, by weight, of alcohol in his or her blood).

A conviction of Ohio's DUI laws carries with it strict minimum penalites including minimum jail sentences, driving rights suspensions, fines and license reinstatement fees. Clearly a DUI charge is a VERY serious charge with VERY serious potential consequences that require the assistance of a lawyer with a thorough knowledge of the law and the ability to vigorously defend the charges.

 

DUI

The term "DUI" means "Driving under the influence" meaning that the defendant has been charged with operating or being in physical control of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, to such an extent that their mental faculties are impaired ("OVI") and/or their Blood Alcohol Content ("BAC") is above the legal limit as determined by either breath, blood or urine testing. If the defendant has tested over the designated limit, it does not matter whether or not he/she was too impaired to drive. The only thing that the State needs to prove is that the defendant was driving with a BAC above the limit set by the State.

Even for a first offense the potential penalites are steep and the penalties get more severe for subsequent convictions or if someone is injured in an alcohol related driving accident, including possible felony charges and prison sentences. We have included in this website a bhart indicating potential penalites for DUI and OVI convictions that you may want to review.