OVI/DWI/DUI Defense

Newark, Ohio, OVI/DUI/DWI Defense Lawyer

If you have been arrested for operating a vehicle under the influence (OVI) in Ohio, your driving privileges are in jeopardy. It is vital that you get an experienced defense attorney involved as soon as possible.

The charge of OVI (also called DUI or DWI) is both urgent and complicated, especially if you have a commercial driver's license (CDL). Not only do you have an OVI, most likely, you have an administrative license suspension (ALS) through the BMV. You must request a license hearing within 30 days of your arraignment or your driver's license (including your CDL if you have one) will remain suspended for up to five years. Your CDL may remain suspended for life in certain circumstances if you do not fight it, and let's face it, the reality is that most insurance companies will not insure you after you have had a CDL suspension for OVI.

Experience as a prosecutor

It is best if you contact an attorney before your arraignment. Because OVI/DUI/DWI cases can be so complicated, it is important to find a criminal defense lawyer who has practiced in the area enough to understand all of the legal technicalities. There are certain defenses that you must raise at your first appearance or you will waive those defenses.

I spent six years prosecuting OVI/DUI/DWI based cases in Licking County before I became a defense attorney. I learned how the state would prepare its case against you. I know what the legal issues are in a drinking and driving case, and this puts me in a better position to defend you. In addition, I have spent the last seven years defending these cases. I am certified in roadside field sobriety testing and in the most common breath machine used in Ohio, the BAC DataMaster. I regularly inspect and tour the most utilized laboratories such as the Ohio State Highway Patrol and NPAS to keep abreast of all the newest technology being utilized.

Challenging the evidence against you

After taking your OVI/DUI/DWI case, I focus on challenging the prosecution's case. I ask, what were the circumstances of the arrest? What do the breath, blood, and field sobriety test results look like? What fallacies or inconsistencies can I point out in the state's case? What facts can I point out to raise reasonable doubt? I attack technical and procedural aspects that have nothing to do with your guilt or innocence on the OVI/DUI/DWI charges.

Just because you failed a breathalyzer test does not mean that you are guilty. Many people are who fail breath or blood tests are not convicted of drunk driving. I will explore ways to challenge the validity of the initial stop, the breath, urine, or blood test, and the admissibility of the tests to be used against you at trial.

I have been able to get cases dismissed due to bad science or bad police work. I am one of the few attorneys in central Ohio who is certified by the manufacturer (NPAS) in the use of the BAC DataMaster breathalyzer machine. I have purchased one of the breath machines and often perform my own experiments on circumstances that may affect the validity of the test result. If the police administered a field sobriety test, I am experienced in challenging the validity or admissibility of that test and have done so hundreds of times. I have attended the same classes as the officers and I am certified in the administration of roadside Standardized Field Sobriety Tests.

Your driving rights should not be surrendered easily. Contact me as soon as possible so I can vigorously defend your rights.

Free consultation: Contact me, Robert Calesaric, for a consultation about your OVI/DUI/DWI arrest. I serve clients throughout central Ohio, including Columbus.