What to expect if charged with an OVI / DUI in Westerville, Ohio.

The Hemminger Law Firm supports clients in Franklin, Delaware, and Surrounding Counties in Ohio.

Ohio laws for operating a vehicle under the influence (DUI/OVI) state that it is illegal to operate a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. In addition it is illegal for a person to have a prohibited concentration of alcohol or drugs in their breath, blood, or urine while operating a vehicle. When you are arrested for operating under the influence, it is based upon the officer’s opinion until he takes a blood, breath or urine test. The officer’s opinion is based on several factors, and it is best to contact an Ohio DUI lawyer if you have been arrested for DUI/OVI.

Getting Arrested
Several factors could lead to your arrest – or may have already led to an arrest, including but not limited to the officer’s opinion, field sobriety tests and a blood, breath or urine test. The officer might ask you to take field sobriety tests or a breath, blood or urine test if he or she notices telltale signs that you are under the influence such as bloodshot eyes, slurred speech and acting jittery.

Issues with Testing
While an officer has a right to ask you to take tests if he notices any of the telltale signs, it doesn’t mean you are under the influence. Certain prescription medications and health issues may cause you to exhibit certain signs that are the same as being under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs.

If an officer still places you under arrest although you are not under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs, including illegal prescription drugs, you should contact an Ohio DUI attorney as soon as possible.

Other issues with testing might include malfunctioning breath testing equipment. If you feel that you have been wrongfully arrested due to an issue with the equipment, you should contact our office immediately. Because your first court appearance is so close to the time of the arrest, you should contact our office as soon after you are arrested as possible.

The DUI/OVI Process
The Hemminger Law Firm will help you through the DUI process. Your first court appearance is usually within five business days of your arrest. You should contact Hemminger Criminal Defense prior to that time. We will contest the OVI by entering a not guilty plea, file a license suspension appeal, plus ask the court to reinstate driving privileges.

Our office will also ask for a copy of the prosecutor’s evidence including test results, police reports, videos and other information. Once our office has a copy of the evidence, we can begin our investigation and we will decide together how to defend you against the charges.

Contact an Ohio DUI lawyer as soon as you have been arrested for DUI/OVI. Since time is of the essence, you should contact us any time of the day or night if you have been arrested.