Parma DUI

Located close to the city of Cleveland, Parma is a popular place to live for people who enjoy a suburban setting but who also want to be close to a major metropolitan area. The town also serves as a hub for many major businesses like General Motors, Cox Cable, and Union Carbide, which provide employment opportunities. There are many major roadways and highways that travel through or near Parma, including I-480. With limited public transportation, many people rely on driving personal vehicles as their primary form of transportation. As a result, one of the most common charges that Parma residents may face are DUIs. At the Law Firm of A. Dale Naticchia, we understand exactly how stressful and devastating a DUI charge or conviction can be. Our Parma DUI lawyer is ready to help you evaluate your case and to ensure that you receive the fair treatment that you deserve.

Ohio law refers to the criminal act of driving under the influence as operating a vehicle intoxicated, or OVI. This crime is treated strictly even for first-time offenders. When it comes to assessing your situation, one of the first things that we will investigate is the sequence of events that occurred as you remember it, starting from the time that you were initially pulled over. There are many rules that apply to when the police can initiate a traffic stop and the protocols that they must follow when they are under the suspicion that a driver may be intoxicated. There are also certain matters of record-keeping that the authorities are required to complete when making an arrest. Reviewing these procedures and documents can help a DUI attorney in Parma defend against your charge.

It can be tempting to work with the authorities or to respond to all of their questions throughout the pendency of the matter. In reality, you may end up doing more harm than good, especially when it comes to answering questions that you are not legally required to answer. Retaining a diligent attorney can help you ensure that you put forth the strongest defense available.

As far as the penalties that you may face for an OVI charge, they are often multi-faceted and increase with subsequent OVI charges. For a first offense, you can be required to pay up to $1,000 and serve 180 days in jail. It will also be listed as a first-degree misdemeanor on your record. The court can mandate that you complete a probation program or undergo community service. You can also be required to install an ignition interlock device in your vehicle, which can be costly. For a second offense within the same 10-year period, there is a mandatory 10-day jail sentence that may be increased to up to six months. If your blood alcohol level at the time of the arrest is 0.17 or more, the court has the power to double these fines.

If you were arrested for an OVI charge, there are many approaches that a Parma DUI attorney can take to having the charge defeated or having the charge reduced. Many people feel that the situation is hopeless and that there is no way to prevent the charge from affecting their futures, but this is untrue. One of the main ways that you can combat a DUI charge is to argue that the police failed to follow the requisite policies and procedures when arresting you and processing your case. The Fourth Amendment and other laws guarantee individuals the right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures. Any information or evidence obtained as a result of an unreasonable search and seizure must be thrown out and cannot be used against you.

Additionally, proving that the breathalyzer machine used to test you was calibrated improperly or maintained improperly can result in the charge against you being dismissed. A seasoned drunk driving lawyer can help you examine your case to find each possible basis for defeating the charge against you.

DUI charges can be stressful and life-changing for a defendant. At the Law Office of A. Dale Naticchia, we are ready to guide you through this matter with personalized, compassionate, and knowledgeable legal counsel. We have advised many drivers regarding their rights and options following an OVI charge, and we can fight zealously to ensure that you are treated fairly throughout the process. To schedule your free consultation, call us now at 216-520-5297 or contact us online.