You didn’t plan on driving drunk. In fact, you felt fine when you got behind the wheel of your car. But you were pulled over by the police in Ohio and arrested for drunk driving. Although it can be tempting to just plead guilty and put this ordeal behind you, your first step should be to find DUI lawyer to take your case. DUIs and OVIs (operating a vehicle while intoxicated) carry stiff penalties, even for first time offenders. A conviction for drunk driving can ruin your life, but it doesn’t have to. When you find DUI lawyer to represent you, you have a better chance of fighting the charge or at least minimizing the impact of the penalties. There are several ways in which a lawyer can help you.
Review the Evidence Against You
You might think that the case against is strong, but an attorney may be able to find problem’s with the state’s case against you. These can include
- Illegal traffic stop: an officer must have reasonable suspicion to pull you over. He cannot pull you over even if he thinks you are drunk, or because someone else said you were unless you demonstrate erratic driving.
- problems with breathalyzer or blood test: if the breathalyzer wasn’t calibrated properly the results will not be admissible in court. If you did not consent to a blood test, a warrant had to be issued for your blood. If one was not issued, the results are not permissible.
Find a good lawyer to review all of this is the only way to know if your charges can be dismissed due to problems with the state’s case.
Minimize Penalties If Convicted
If the charges against you cannot be dismissed, your attorney may be able to plead your case to a lesser charge, such as wet reckless driving or reckless driving with alcohol involvement.
Having the charges against you reduced, could spare you the stiff penalties that come with a DUI or OVI conviction such as
- massive fines
- jail time
- the loss of your license for up to three years
- excessive penalty points on your license
DUI laws in Ohio are strict and the penalties are harsh. Any of these consequences can negatively impact your life, causing you to potentially lose your job. The only way to protect yourself from these penalties and possibly have your case dismissed is to find DUI lawyer to represent you. Don’t make the mistake of trying to go it alone. Find a DUI attorney to represent you.