Medina DUI and OVI Defense Lawyer

Attorneys Representing People Arrested for Drunk Driving in Wadsworth and Wooster

For many people, the prospect of being arrested for drinking and driving is frightening to contemplate. When pulled over on a potential drunk driving charge, you will likely wonder how an arrest or conviction will affect your driver's license, whether you will face fines or jail time, and how your life, career, and personal relationships will be affected. For anyone facing potential drunk driving charges, it is important to work with a skilled criminal defense attorney.

At The Law Office of Whitney K.S. Miller, LLC, our attorneys have 21 years of combined legal experience, and we can help you understand the full extent of the consequences you may face for a drunk driving arrest, as well as your best options for defense. We will not just tell you what you want to hear, but we will ensure you have the information you need to achieve the best results in your case.

Drunk Driving Offenses in Ohio

While drunk driving is typically referred to as DUI, or "driving under the influence," the offense is known as OVI, or "operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs," in Ohio. As in all other states in the U.S., the legal limit for blood alcohol concentration (BAC) when driving is .08%, and a person can be charged with OVI if they are found to be driving while in excess of this limit. OVI can also be charged if a driver is under the influence of drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, heroin, amphetamines, or LSD.

Consequences of an OVI conviction vary depending on whether a driver has any previous convictions and their BAC level when arrested. Punishments can include, but are not limited to:

• First-time OVI - This is a first-degree misdemeanor, punishable by a mandatory jail term of at least three days up to six months, fines of $375 to $1,075, and driver's license suspension for one to three years. If the driver had a BAC of .17 or higher, they will be sentenced to a minimum of six days in jail, or three days in jail and a three-day driver's intervention program.
• Second OVI within 10 years - This is a first-degree misdemeanor, punishable by a mandatory jail term of at least 10 days up to six months, alcohol addiction treatment, fines of $525 to $1,625, driver's license suspension for one to seven years, and immobilization of their vehicle for 90 days. If the driver had a BAC of .17 or higher, they will be sentenced to a minimum of 20 days in jail.
• Third OVI within 10 years - This is an unclassified misdemeanor, punishable by a mandatory jail term of at least 30 days up to one year, alcohol addiction treatment, fines of $850 to $2,750, driver's license suspension for two to 12 years, and criminal forfeiture of their vehicle. If the driver had a BAC of .17 or higher, they will be sentenced to a minimum of 60 days in jail.
• Fourth or fifth OVI within 10 years or sixth OVI within 20 years - This is a fourth-degree felony, punishable by a mandatory jail term of 60 days up to 30 months, alcohol addiction treatment, fines of $1,350 to $10,500, driver's license suspension for three years to life, and forfeiture of their vehicle. If the driver had a BAC of .17 or higher, they will be sentenced to a minimum of 120 days in jail.

Contact a Brunswick Drunk Driving Defense Attorney

If you have been arrested and charged with OVI, you deserve a strong defense from an experienced attorney. Our lawyers can help you understand your rights and the options available to you, such as probation, house arrest, or reinstatement of your license when using an ignition interlock device. If possible, we will dispute the validity of the arrest and the evidence against you, seeking to have the case dismissed. Contact us today by calling 330-725-4114. We do offer free consultations in most cases. We assist clients in Brunswick, Wooster, Wadsworth, Fairlawn, Akron, Orrville, Barberton, Rittman, and surrounding areas.