OVI Lawyer in Columbus, OH
Were You Arrested for Drunken Driving?
Operating a vehicle while impaired (OVI) is a serious crime in Ohio. Those who are convicted can face jail time and steep fines as well as lengthy restrictions on their driving privileges. If you were charged with OVI, you need experienced legal assistance to help you fight the accusations against you. It may be possible to beat your charges or avoid the most severe penalties of a conviction.
The Law Office of Matthew Doyaga, LLC offers the legal support many previous clients trusted when they needed help with OVI charges. If you were unfairly accused of operating a vehicle while impaired by alcohol or drugs, we can build a personalized legal defense strategy that may increase your odds of securing a better outcome.
No attorney can guarantee results, but our personalized approach can help you feel more confident about establishing the defense you need to avoid or mitigate the consequences of a conviction. For more information, please reach out to our OVI lawyer in Columbus, OH.
Get started today! Call (888) 490-7958 now to contact the Law Office of Matthew Doyaga, LLC and request your free initial consultation.
What Happens If I’m Arrested for OVI?
If you’re arrested for OVI, invoke your rights to remain silent and to have legal counsel present during any questioning. You don’t have to answer any questions about the alleged OVI incident, and you should refuse to do so until you’ve consulted with your attorney.
When you are in police custody, law enforcement officers will ask you to submit to chemical tests of your breath, blood, or urine. These tests are conducted to determine your blood alcohol concentration (BAC), the legal limit of which is 0.08%. These tests can also be used to determine the presence of any drugs in your system.
You can refuse these tests, but doing so will result in a license suspension. Always consult with your lawyer for guidance on whether or not to submit to a chemical test.
Penalties for OVI in Ohio
If you are convicted of OVI in Ohio, the potential penalties you face depend on the BAC measured at your arrest and the number of previous OVI convictions you may have.
If your BAC was measured between 0.08% and 0.16%, the following low-tier penalties may apply:
- First Offense: Three days to six months in jail, up to $1,075 in fines, and up to three years of license suspension
- Second Offense: 10 days to six months in jail, up to $1,625 in fines, and up to seven years of license suspension
- Third Offense: 30 days to one year in jail, up to $2,750 in fines, and up to 12 years of license suspension
If your BAC was measured at or over 0.17%, the following high-tier penalties may apply in addition to low-tier penalties:
- First Offense: Three days in jail and three days of a driver’s intervention program
- Second Offense: At least 20 days in jail or 10 days in jail plus 36 days of house arrest with monitoring
- Third Offense: 60 days in jail or 30 days in jail plus 110 days of house arrest with monitoring
A conviction for OVI can have other consequences outside of your immediate sentencing. For example, your arrest starts your criminal record, which can’t be expunged or sealed if you’re convicted. This can make it more difficult to find jobs, housing, and credit for the rest of your life.
Contact the Law Office of Matthew Doyaga, LLC
Avoiding the consequences of unfair OVI charges is possible, but only if you hire a capable OVI attorney in Columbus, OH to help you build your defense. The Law Office of Matthew Doyaga, LLC has many years of experience helping clients defend against drunken driving charges and other allegations of OVI.
If you need legal assistance, don’t wait. Call (888) 490-7958 now to get the legal support you require.