Columbus DUI Lawyers
Attorneys who defend clients facing drunk driving charges must be prepared to deal with an ever-widening array of scientific procedures and tests that police officers administer to prove a defendant's guilt. At Yavitch & Palmer, our criminal defense lawyers are well versed in the scientific techniques involved in breath, blood, and urine testing for alcohol and drugs. We readily question the reliability, accuracy, and validity of these tests in court.
When you are facing DUI, DWI, OMVI, you will need a criminal attorney experienced in Ohio traffic offense cases. With significant experience in Ohio traffic violation cases and a respected record of positive results for our clients, the criminal defense attorneys at Yavitch & Palmer stand ready to assist you.
Experienced DUI and OVI Defense in Ohio
The Columbus criminal defense attorneys at Yavitch & Palmer specialize in DUI and DWI cases. In Ohio, a DWI charge may also be known as OMVI (Operating Motor Vehicle Intoxicated) or OVI (Operating Vehicle Intoxicated). These charges do not only apply to drivers of passenger vehicles such as cars, but also to trucks, tractor trailers, buses, motorcycles, 3-wheelers, boats, and heavy machinery.
While there are few challenges allowed in Ohio due to an Ohio Supreme court ruling on Breathalyzer testing, the attorneys at Yavitch & Palmer are known for pushing the rule to the extreme. As our attorneys defend our clients, we find that both judges and juries are particularly interested in our legal analysis and defense preparation of DUI and DWI cases. Our success with traffic defense cases has led other lawyers to frequently seek our advice on breath testing and DUI matters.
If you are stopped for drunk driving and you refuse to take the sobriety test, or if your test results exceed the legal limit of Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC), you will be immediately subject to the Administrative License Suspension, which means the officer can take your driver's license on the spot.
Penalties for Driving Under the Influence
For the first offense, your license to drive is revoked, and if convicted, you are subject to jail time, heavy fines, and a court license suspension of six months to three years. With each subsequent offense, Ohio's penalties for driving under the influence become stiffer. Even if you were not involved in an accident, you could spend up to a year in jail, lose your car, have your license permanently revoked, and be subject to fines up to $10,000.
If you refuse field sobriety testing, your license is automatically suspended temporarily. If you have already been convicted of DUI on multiple occasions, your refusal may cost a five-year license suspension.
Depending on previous offenses or refusals, you can have your license automatically suspended for a period of 90 days to five years. The administrative suspension is independent of any jail term, fine, or other criminal penalty imposed in court for a DUI offense.
If you are facing DUI, DWI or OMVI/OVI charges, the Columbus Ohio criminal defense attorneys at Yavitch & Palmer stand ready to assist you. Call our law firm at 614-224-6142 to arrange an appointment.
