Cleveland and Akron DUI/OVI Lawyer

Cleveland DUI Lawyer Helping Drivers and Other Defendants Facing Charges

Whether you are involved in your first drunk driving matter or a consecutive incident, it is important to have a skilled Cleveland DUI lawyer to help you through the process. At the Law Firm of A. Dale Naticchia, we believe that each client deserves diligent, compassionate, and responsive legal counsel when facing a criminal charge and potentially serious penalties for drunk driving. We know how daunting the entire situation can be. Hiring a DUI / OVI attorney in Cleveland, Akron, or anywhere else in Ohio is just another layer of stress for many individuals, which is why we offer a free consultation so that you can learn about our firm and how we can assist you. Our DUI attorneys have substantial experience handling a wide variety of drunk driving matters for individuals throughout Akron and Cuyahoga County.

At the Law Firm of A. Dale Naticchia, we understand what you are going through during this stressful time. Our Cleveland OVI lawyer has handled a wide variety of drunk driving cases over the last 33 years. We also defend ordinary people in other criminal cases in Cleveland, Akron, and throughout Cuyahoga County. During the last 18 years, A. Dale Naticchia has focused on drunk driving cases, providing people who were pulled over and arrested for driving while intoxicated with a tenacious and thorough defense. Whether you are currently facing a criminal charge or are trying to avoid a charge being brought, contact a DUI attorney at our Cleveland office today to learn more about how we can keep your record clean and preserve your reputation.

DUI

Driving while intoxicated is perhaps the most common charge that Ohio residents may face. Under Ohio law, this crime is technically called operating a vehicle while intoxicated, or OVI. If you were recently charged with an OVI, you may be uncertain about what you should do or not do to protect your rights. At the Law Firm of A. Dale Naticchia, we handle not only first-time DUI charges but also repeat DUI cases and special contexts such as underage drivers and commercial operators. Our Cleveland DUI lawyer can represent you in all aspects of your matter, including communicating with law enforcement and the courts as well as investigating the results of any tests. There are many procedural and evidentiary rules that are crucial to understand in determining a strategic way to fight the charges. Contact us today to start learning about how we can help you protect your rights.

If you are arrested for operating a vehicle while intoxicated, you may feel that the situation is hopeless and that you have few options. A charge for operating a vehicle while intoxicated, or OVI, can have devastating consequences for your personal and professional life. Cleveland OVI defense lawyer A. Dale Naticchia proudly assists Ohio residents with understanding DUI/OVI laws and their legal options following an arrest for operating a vehicle under the influence. There may be certain defenses that apply in your situation or other procedural mechanisms that can be used to have the case dismissed or the charges reduced.

DUI Tests

The way that intoxication is determined is by the amount of alcohol in your blood at the time that you are detained or arrested. If your blood alcohol level is in excess of .08, you are considered intoxicated. There are many ways that law enforcement can go about determining your intoxication level, including a breathalyzer test. Field sobriety tests, in which the police examine your motor skills and response time, are also routine. Although you can refuse to submit to a breathalyzer test, there may be some consequences that result. The officer is not legally required to tell you what the penalties are, so it is good to make yourself aware. If you refuse to submit to a breathalyzer test or field sobriety test, you face a one-year suspension of your license. If this is your second drunk driving incident within 10 years and you refused to submit to a breathalyzer test during the first incident, the suspension is increased to two years.

DUI / OVI Case Process

In addition to the criminal charges you can face as part of the DUI / OVI case process, the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) has the authority to suspend your license. There are a few key differences between the criminal proceeding and the administrative proceeding in an Ohio drunk driving case, which a skilled DUI / OVI attorney serving Cleveland residents can help you navigate. Even if your criminal court case is resolved, there are still steps you need to take at the BMV in order to have your driving privileges reinstated, such as paying fines. Also, you will have points assessed to your driving record, which may impact your auto insurance rates. If you accumulate a certain number of points, you may face additional penalties and lose your driving privileges for an additional period of time.

DUI / OVI Penalties

Under Ohio law, the offense of operating a vehicle while intoxicated, or OVI, is treated very seriously even if it is an individual’s first offense. In Ohio it is illegal to operate a vehicle with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 or higher. For commercial operators, the limit is 0.04 percent, and for people under 21, it is 0.02 percent. The penalties associated with the offense vary depending on whether this is your first OVI charge or a repeat charge. For example, your first offense carries a potential jail sentence of three to six months and fines between $375 and $1,075. The amount of jail time and fines increases with each subsequent offense, as well as the amount of time that your license may be suspended. For anything beyond a first offense, you will probably be required to install an interlock ignition device, which requires the driver to provide a breath sample before the vehicle will start. There is also the possibility that the court could order you to wear a continuous alcohol monitor (SCRAM) even before you have been convicted.

Common OVI Defenses

There are often defenses that a Cleveland DUI attorney can potentially raise on behalf of an individual charged with driving under the influence. Have the individual’s constitutional rights been violated? Especially the individual’s Fourth Amendment rights to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures? There are two main aspects to these Fourth Amendment rights. First, did the police officer have reasonable suspicion to stop the individual’s vehicle and second, was there probable cause for the arrest. If so, you can file a motion to suppress the use of this evidence in court. Frequently there are issues with the evidence, such as an officer conducting an unlawful search or using an unlawfully obtained statement. There may be defenses that the equipment used to conduct a breathalyzer test was not properly maintained or that the operator did not have the proper certification.

Finding and asserting these weaknesses and defenses often creates the option of pleading to a lesser offense called a wet reckless, which is a case involving intoxicated driving that is reduced as reckless driving or similar less serious traffic offense. An OVI lawyer in the Cleveland area can help a driver try to reduce their charge.

Consult a DUI Lawyer Serving Residents in Cleveland or Seek Representation Against a Criminal Charge

Whether you are facing your first experience with the criminal justice system, or you are seeking to protect your rights in an ongoing investigation, the legal professionals at the Law Office of A. Dale Naticchia can help you understand your rights at every step of the process and assist you with navigating this stressful situation. We represent people throughout Cuyahoga County, including those in Cleveland, Akron, Parma, Bedford, Berea, Rocky River, Garfield Heights, Stow, and Barberton. We offer a free consultation to help you find out how we can assist you. Call us now at 216-520-5297 or contact us online.

Practice Areas
DUI/OVI DUI/OVI

We handle not only first-time DUI charges but also repeat DUI cases and special contexts such as underage drivers and commercial operators...

Criminal Defense Criminal Defense

At the Law Office of A. Dale Naticchia, we believe that every defendant deserves dedicated legal counsel during a criminal investigation or proceeding...

Meet Dale A. Naticchia
Picture of Attorney Dale A. Naticchia
  • Defending every day people accused of crimes in Cleveland & Akron area has been my job for the past 30+ years.
  • I know the courts, judges, prosecutors, and the criminal system inside and out.
  • Put my knowledge to work to defend you when you may need it most - when charged with a crime.
Client Reviews
★★★★★
I cannot thank Dale enough for the support and expertise he provided to me for my case. I was looking for a lawyer with a lot of experience and also knew how to use it to his advantage. Amanda B.
★★★★★
I have always used an attorney for legal matters but this was my 3rd DUI in 6 years and I was in dire need of the best legal representation. I needed someone willing to fight for the best possible outcome for me and my family. Shannon
★★★★★
Dale Naticchia handled my case from beginning to finish. He is highly skilled in the area of DUI’s. He has had so many cases that he is highly knowledgeable about how to deal with the situation as a whole. R Beyer
★★★★★
The services I got from Lawyersdui Law Firm were very impressive. I got a lot of support from Natucchia and I was surprised and very happy! The support that you gave me was truly sincere and your way of dealing was very professional and honest. Kenneth C
★★★★★
Anytime I’ve called about my case, Mr. Naticchia answered the phone. Lawyersdui law has been there when I’ve needed them most. John
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