DUI / OVI Defense Laws

Defending our clients against charges of driving Under the influence
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DUI / OVI Defense Laws Attorney In Independence, Ohio

Cleveland Lawyers for Drunk Driving Charges

A drunk driving case can have a seriously negative impact on your life, even if it is your first time facing this charge. If your license is suspended following the arrest, then you will have a hard time handling your day-to-day responsibilities like going to work, taking children to school, and running errands. There are some steps that you can take to mitigate the impact of the charge and to try and reclaim some of your driving privileges. As knowledgeable Cleveland DUI attorneys assisting individuals throughout Akron and other areas of Cuyahoga County, we have encountered numerous different types of drunk driving cases and are well-versed in the DUI / OVI defense laws that may apply to your situation. Contact us as soon as possible to start learning about your rights.


License Suspensions Following DUI / OVI Charges


Once you are arrested for DUI / OVI, your driving privileges will be suspended immediately. The officer will take your license and there are several steps that you will have to take in order to have your driving privileges reinstated. First, you can seek limited driving privileges from the court that will allow you to drive for the purpose of going to work, doctor’s appointments, or for childcare purposes. The judge has discretion to grant privileges, which means that your request may be denied. You may also face a license suspension as part of your final sentence in addition to fees and jail time. The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles can also suspend your license for 90 days following your first failure to pass a field sobriety test. Each subsequent DUI / OVI within a 10-year period will result in an increase of this timeframe. A skilled drunk driving defense lawyer with knowledge of DUI / OVI defense laws can represent you in these proceedings.


Juvenile Drunk Driving Charges & Underage Consumption


Although Ohio allows a minor under the age of 21 to consume alcohol with his or her parents’ permission and supervision, there are harsh penalties in the event the minor is caught with alcohol in other instances. The first offense is a first-degree misdemeanor that carries a maximum sentence of $1,000 in fines and six months in jail. The judge also has discretion to suspend the minor’s license for up to 90 days if he or she is a legal driver. Minors are not allowed to have more than 0.2 percent blood alcohol content in their system, and the authorities can subject them to a field sobriety test even if they aren’t driving if the officer has a reasonable suspicion that the minor is intoxicated or in possession of alcohol. If the offense takes place on a school campus the penalties can be even more severe, and can include a mandatory suspension and potential expulsion.

Contact The Law Firm Of A. Dale Naticchia to schedule a consultation with a lawyer today at 216-520-5297 or 888-DUI-DALE

Out-of-State Drunk Driving Charges

If you are from out-of-state but receive a drunk driving charge in Ohio, your driving privileges in Ohio will be suspended but you will still be able to drive in other states as long as your driving privileges are in good standing in those states. Additionally, law enforcement officials should not take your license following the arrest as they typically do with Ohio residents. States do not have the power to suspend your driving privileges in another state. Most states belong to the Interstate Driver’s License Compact, however, which is legislation saying that states will notify a home state about out-of-state residents’ DUIs and suspensions that occur within their borders. Not all states are prompt with reporting these infractions, however, and it can take several months before it is reported to your home state or it may not be reported at all. There is usually an opportunity to appeal the out-of-state suspension in your home state.

Meet with a Dedicated Drunk Driving Defense Lawyer in Cleveland

If you are facing a DUI / OVI, you probably have many questions about your rights and how to go about protecting them through the applicable DUI / OVI defense laws. Our attorneys have handled a wide variety of drunk driving cases, including situations where a party is facing their second, third, or fourth charge. We will fight diligently on your behalf to ensure that the rules are applied fairly and help you pursue the outcome that you deserve. Our clients are located throughout Cleveland, Parma, Bedford, Berea, Rocky River, Garfield Heights, Stow, and Barberton. To schedule your free consultation call us at 216-520-5297 or contact us online to get started.

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