OVI / DUI Defenses

Ohio DUI / OVI Defenses
People often ask if there are legitimate defenses to charges of DUI (also called ‘OVI’ in Ohio).  The answer is yes.  As a matter of fact, there are many effective defenses in drunk driving cases.  The OVI / DUI lawyers at the Dominy Law Firm in Columbus, Ohio developed a list of The Top 100 Ohio DUI / OVI Defenses ©. 

The defenses are listed in the other two pages of this website section on ‘OVI / DUI defenses’, and the links to those pages are at the bottom of this page (or the side of this page, if you are using a computer).  Before you review the list, however, it would be very beneficial to read this page so you have a better understanding of how the defenses are categorized and implemented.

Defenses in the context of DUI / OVI cases in Ohio are typically not the traditional defenses in criminal law.  The traditional defenses include alibi, duress, entrapment, necessity, etc.  Those traditional defenses are rarely used in DUI / OVI cases.  Instead, the “defenses” in OVI cases are methods of excluding evidence and strategies for demonstrating the remaining evidence does not prove guilt.  

The defenses used in Ohio DUI / OVI cases depend on the type of charge.  There are two general types of charges: 
  1.  OVI ‘Impaired’
  2.  OVI ‘Per Se' 
Defenses For OVI ‘Impaired’ In Ohio
In Ohio, OVI ‘Impaired’ is the informal name for a DUI / OVI charge which is not related to the result of a breath test, blood test, or urine test.  For the ‘Impaired’ OVI charge, the evidence must show the driver was under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs while operating the vehicle so that his or her driving ability would be impaired.  The defenses related to OVI ‘Impaired’ focus on disproving our client was ‘under the influence’.

Defenses For OVI ‘Per Se’ In Ohio
In Ohio, OVI ‘Per Se’ is the informal name for a DUI / OVI charge which is related to the result of a breath test, blood test, or urine test.  For the ‘Per Se’ charge, the evidence must show the driver was ‘over the limit’ while operating the vehicle.  The defenses related to OVI ‘Per Se’ focus on explaining why the breath/blood/urine test is inadmissible or inaccurate.  
NOTE:  In nearly every OVI ‘Per Se’ case, the driver is also charged with OVI ‘Impaired’.  If you are charged with OVI ‘Per Se’, you will probably want to take a look at the defenses for both types of charges.

Bonus:  Defenses For The Administrative License Suspension
An Administrative License Suspension (ALS) is imposed when a driver refuses a blood/breath/urine test or consents to a test and the result is ‘over the limit’.  Although the ALS is technically separate from the OVI case, the two are heard together.  When we represent a client for an OVI case, we also challenge the ALS for them.  Successfully challenging the ALS results in the client’s license being returned.  This is especially important for clients who refuse a blood/breath/urine test because a Not Guilty verdict on the OVI charge does not terminate the ALS.  
NOTE:  As nearly every defendant in an OVI case is charged with OVI ‘Impaired’, the defenses for the Administrative License Suspension are on the page for “OVI ‘Impaired’ Defenses”.

Successful Defenses Require More Than An Informative Website
There are many lawyers in Columbus and central Ohio who represent clients for DUI / OVI cases.  Other law firms may have websites with a list of defenses and other material similar to the information provided by our firm in this website.  If you consider hiring a lawyer, we recommend that you interview the lawyers to determine whether they really have the knowledge and experience necessary to effectively defend clients with OVI charges.

At the Dominy Law Firm, we have made it our mission to develop expertise in DUI / OVI defense and use that expertise to benefit our clients.  If you would like to interview us to see if we really have the knowledge and experience we claim, we welcome that opportunity.  To discuss representation for a DUI / OVI in Columbus, Ohio or the central Ohio area, you can schedule a free phone consultation by completing a CONTACT FORM or by calling us at 614-717-1177.

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