OVI/DUI Defense

Licking County, Newark, Ohio, OVI/DUI 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. At Calesaric Law, we offer the background, resources and skill required to keep you on the road.

The charge of OVI (also called DUI or OMVI) 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 ) will remain suspended for up to five years.

Your driving rights should not be surrendered easily. Contact my firm as soon as possible for vigorous defense of your driving privileges.

Experience as a prosecutor, and in OVI defense

Because OVI/DUI defense 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 offer that background.

I spent six years prosecuting OVI/DUI based cases in Licking County before I became a criminal defense attorney. I know how the State prepares its case against you. I know what the legal issues are in a drinking and driving case, and I am in a better position to defend you. I have spent the last nine years defending these cases, including those involving prior OVI offenses. I am certified in roadside field sobriety testing, and in the most common breath (BAC) machine used in Ohio.

Challenging the evidence against you

In your OVI/DUI defense 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 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.

Certified on Ohio's breathalyzer machine and in field sobriety testing

I have been able to get DUI defense 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 own one of the breath machines and often perform my own experiments on circumstances that may affect the validity of the test result. I regularly inspect and tour laboratories such as the Ohio State Highway Patrol and NPAS to keep abreast of the newest technology.

If the police administered a field sobriety test, I am experienced in challenging the validity or admissibility of results 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.

Free consultation: Contact Calesaric Law for a consultation about your OVI/DUI arrest. I serve clients throughout central Ohio, including Johnstown and Ohio State University (OSU/Newark) or Buckeye Lake.