Have you recently been charged with an OVI in Cincinnati or do you suspect you will be? If so, you will certainly need to hire an OVI attorney. Cincinnati, Ohio is full of attorneys who will be able to help, but it is important that you understand what this charge means. If you choose not to hire an OVI attorney in Cincinnati Ohio, you can expect a lot of heavy fines, court costs and quite possibly, some jail time.
What Does OVI Mean?
Since 2005, the state of Ohio has been using the acronym OVI to describe driving under the influence. Why OVI? Because it can means a lot more than just driving a vehicle. In fact, the acronym officially stands for the phrase “operating a vehicle impaired”. This means that you can be arrested and charged with OVI when operating any type of vehicle from a car or truck to a bicycle and even riding a horse.
How is an OVI Charge Determined?
Ohio police officers have a series of clues to look for when determining if someone is operating a vehicle in an impaired state. For instance, if there is evidence that the person has been driving a vehicle when intoxicated, they can be charged with OVI. They may also smell alcohol or other substance, like marijuana, on the person. Speech may be slurred and reflexes may be off. On top of that, they can arrest someone for OVI if the person admits to drinking or using drugs, if they have bloodshot of glassy eyes, they find an open container of alcohol or drugs and if the person fails any field sobriety test. If any of these things have happened to you, you will likely be charged with OVI and will need an attorney on your side.
Dealing with an OVI
Assuming you choose a good OVI attorney in Cincinnati Ohio, if it is your first offense, you may be given a fine and asked to attend an alcohol awareness class. You may also get up to 3 days in jail. You can expect some type of ramifications when it comes to your license as well, like points, and your insurance will likely go up or even be dropped. For more information on what the consequences are of an OVI, speak with a reputable attorney.
If you are looking for an OVI attorney in Cincinnati, Ohio, contact The Farrish Law Firm, L.P.A.. Reach them online.