The penalties for driving under the influence (DUI) in Ohio are severe. After being arrested on a DUI charge, it is essential that you build a strong defense to avoid a conviction and the associated consequences. An experienced DUI lawyer in Sylvania can help craft a personalized defense strategy that fits your case and helps you beat the charges against you.
At Groth & Associates, our team has more than 65 years of experience helping our clients overcome DUI charges. We will use every tool at our disposal to help you beat a conviction or secure lesser penalties through plea bargaining. Get in touch with us today to schedule a free case evaluation with a Sylvania criminal defense lawyer from our firm.
Potential Penalties for a DUI Conviction in Ohio
The penalties and other specifics surrounding a DUI charge in Ohio are outlined in Section 4511.19 of the Ohio Code. If you are found guilty of a DUI offense, you could face several penalties, including:
- Time in jail or prison
- Fines and court costs
- Probation
- Mandatory attendance of alcohol education courses
- Suspension of your driver’s license by the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV)
- Mandatory installation of an ignition interlock device (IID) in your vehicle
The amount you are fined and the length of any jail sentence, probationary period, or suspension of your license will depend on several factors. The court will consider the level of your blood alcohol concentration (BAC), whether you have any prior convictions, and whether anyone was injured as a result of an accident associated with the charges.
First-Time DUI Conviction
For a first-time DUI conviction in which you were not excessively intoxicated and nobody was injured, the standard penalties include:
- A jail sentence of three days to six months
- A fine of up to $1,000
- Suspension of your driving privileges
For every additional DUI conviction, the penalties you face will increase significantly.
Additional Consequences You Could Face in Relation to a DUI Conviction
Beyond the penalties of a DUI conviction, there are a variety of other ways in which your life can be affected. If your job requires you to drive, a suspension of your license can result in a loss of employment. To make matters worse, finding new employment can be difficult when you have a DUI conviction on your record.
A DUI conviction can also lead to higher insurance rates. Additionally, your life can be severely disrupted by any period of incarceration. An experienced lawyer at Groth & Associates can help ensure that you understand all the penalties that can come with a DUI conviction and will work hard to help you avoid them.
For a free legal consultation with a dui lawyer serving Sylvania, call (419) 930-3030
Plea Bargaining May Be an Option to Help You Avoid the Harshest Consequences of a DUI Conviction
Unfortunately, getting the charges against you dropped or securing a verdict of not guilty are not always realistic goals when facing DUI charges. If the evidence against you is strong, your best option for avoiding the worst consequences of a DUI conviction may be through plea bargaining. Instead of a DUI conviction, your lawyer may be able to secure you a lesser charge.
While pleading guilty to lesser driving will still mean you will face lesser penalties, they won’t be as harsh as those that would accompany a DUI conviction. If you have a prior DUI conviction on your record, the difference between the penalties you face will be even more pronounced.
Even if the prosecution has overwhelming evidence against you, they may be willing to offer you a plea deal. A DUI attorney serving Sylvania can help ensure you realize the full consequences of pleading guilty to a lesser charge.
Criminal Defense Lawyer Near Me (419) 930-3030
Common Defenses Your Sylvania DUI Attorney May Employ in Your Case
The best defense against a DUI charge will depend on the specific details of your case. Some of the defenses most commonly used in DUI cases include:
- You were not intoxicated
- You were not driving
- Your rights were violated
You Were Not Intoxicated
If no chemical test was performed, making the argument that you were not intoxicated can be incredibly effective. You need to remember that the burden of proof in these cases is with the prosecution. To secure a conviction, the prosecutor needs to prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Arguing that you were not intoxicated can still be an effective defense, even if chemical testing results show that you were. Chemical tests are incredibly unreliable, with inaccurate results due to human error or equipment malfunction being common.
Your lawyer can help demonstrate the flaws in these testing systems to the court and may even be able to prove that a specific error was made in your case.
You Were Not Driving
When police arrive at the scene of an accident in which they believe alcohol was involved, they may make false assumptions. If there is nobody in the vehicle and there are no witnesses or video evidence that put you behind the wheel, it can be difficult to prove that you were driving.
An experienced DUI lawyer in Sylvania can help you cast doubt regarding who was driving the vehicle.
Your Rights Were Violated
Between conducting illegal searches, failing to read you your Miranda Rights, and failing to maintain the chain of custody for evidence in your case, there are many ways in which law enforcement may violate your rights in relation to your DUI arrest.
If your attorney can prove that your rights were violated, they may be able to get evidence against you dismissed or persuade the court to drop the charges against you altogether.
At our firm, we will work to build the best defense to suit the circumstances of your case. Our client testimonials speak for themselves.
Reach Out to an Experienced DUI Lawyer in Sylvania Today
The best way to improve your chances of beating a DUI charge is by hiring an experienced Sylvania DUI attorney. At Groth & Associates, we have a long history of assisting our clients in fighting DUI charges and avoiding convictions.
Contact us today by giving us a call or completing our online contact form and schedule a free case consultation with a member of our legal staff.
Call or text (419) 930-3030 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form