Ohio treats driving under the influence (DUI) as a serious offense, and the penalties for a conviction can be severe. After a DUI arrest, it is vital that you build a strong defense to beat the charges against you. An experienced DUI lawyer in Oregon will formulate a defense strategy that aligns with your specific situation to help you win your case.
At Groth & Associates, our legal team has over 65 years of experience helping clients fight DUI charges. We will use every available tool to help you avoid a conviction or plea bargain down to a lesser charge. Reach out to us today to set up a free case review with one of the Oregon criminal defense lawyers from our firm.
Criminal Penalties for a DUI Conviction in Ohio
The legal consequences and other matters governing DUI charges in Ohio are covered in Section 4511.19 of the Ohio Code. The penalties for a conviction for a DUI in the state can include:
- Jail or prison time
- Fines and court fees
- Probation
- Installation of an ignition interlock device (IID) in your vehicle
- Suspension of your driver’s license by the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV)
- Mandatory attendance of alcohol education courses
The size of the fines you face and the length of any incarceration or probationary period will depend on several different factors. Some of the things the court will take into consideration include whether you have any prior convictions, how high your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was, and whether anyone was injured in a resulting accident.
First-Offense DUI Conviction
The potential penalties for a first-offense DUI conviction where nobody was injured, and you were not excessively intoxicated include:
- A fine of up to $1,000
- A jail sentence of three days to six months
- Suspension of your driving privileges
With each additional DUI conviction, the penalties you face will rise significantly.
Additional Consequences that Can Result from a DUI Conviction
Penalties aren’t the only consequences of a DUI conviction. There are several other ways in which your life can be impacted. For example, if you have a job where you are required to drive, a suspension of your driving privileges could prevent you from working. To compound your employment problems, it can be difficult to secure a new job with a DUI record.
Having a DUI conviction on your record will also result in higher insurance rates. Beyond all that, any incarceration period can result in a significant disruption of your life. At Groth & Associates, our experienced team of lawyers will help ensure you fully understand the potential penalties of a DUI conviction and do everything we can to help you avoid them.
For a free legal consultation with a dui lawyer serving Oregon, call (419) 930-3030
Common Defenses an Oregon DUI Attorney Will Use to Fight a Charge
The specific details of your case will dictate the best approach to take when fighting a DUI charge. While there are a variety of different defenses you can build, some of the most common included:
- You were not driving
- You were not intoxicated
- Your rights were violated
You Were Not Driving
If you were not the one operating the motor vehicle, you are not guilty of a DUI. While it can be hard to make this argument if a cop pulls you over, it can be an effective defense if law enforcement arrives at the scene of an accident.
The police may make assumptions about who was behind the wheel, but if there is no witness testimony or video or photographic evidence to support that, it can be hard to prove that you were driving. Furthermore, any evidence that shows another party was operating the vehicle will help your case significantly.
An experienced DUI lawyer serving Oregon can help prove, or at least cast doubt, that you were not the one driving.
You Were Not Intoxicated
Another common defense is asserting that you were not intoxicated. It’s important to remember that the burden of proof is with the prosecution, and, if they can not prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, the court can’t find you guilty. If no chemical testing was performed, it can be hard for the prosecution to prove their case.
Even if you submitted to chemical testing and tested positive for drugs or alcohol, this can be an effective defense. Chemical testing is notoriously unreliable, with inaccurate results being common due to human error or equipment malfunction.
Your attorney can help prove to the court that the testing system is flawed and may even be able to identify a specific error that was made in your case.
Your Rights Were Violated
There are a variety of ways in which your rights can be violated in relation to a DUI arrest. Common violations include illegal searches, failure to read you your Miranda Rights, and breaking the chain of custody for evidence in your case.
If your lawyer can prove that a violation of your rights occurred, they may be successful in getting evidence against you thrown out or even convince the court to drop the charges against you entirely.
At our firm, we will work diligently to build the best possible defense based on the circumstances of your case. Our client testimonials speak for themselves.
Criminal Defense Lawyer Near Me (419) 930-3030
Plea Bargaining Can Help Minimize the Penalties You Face
Unfortunately, sometimes the evidence against you is too great, and getting the charges against you dropped or securing a non-guilty verdict are unrealistic outcomes. In these situations, your best option for avoiding the worst consequences of a conviction is through plea bargaining. Rather than a DUI conviction, you may be able to negotiate down to a lesser charge.
Of course, pleading guilty to a lesser charge means you will face lesser penalties. However, they won’t be as severe as what you would face if convicted of a DUI. If you have a previous DUI conviction, the difference between the penalties for a conviction will be even greater.
The prosecution may be open to a plea deal even if their case against you is overwhelming. Prosecutors tend to carry heavy caseloads, so anytime they can get a case off their desk quickly and chalk it up as a win, they will have significant motivation to agree to a deal. A DUI attorney in Oregon can help you understand the full implications of pleading guilty to a lesser charge.
Get Help From an Experienced DUI Lawyer Serving Oregon Today
The best way to improve your odds of avoiding a DUI conviction is by securing the services of an experienced Oregon DUI attorney. At Groth & Associates, we have a long track record of helping our clients beat DUI charges and securing plea deals to minimize the consequences.
Contact us today by calling us or completing our online contact form and set up your free case evaluation with a member of our legal staff.
Call or text (419) 930-3030 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form