Being involved in a routine traffic stop can be stressful enough on its own, and any additional charges may only add to the difficulty of the situation. Perhaps during a recent traffic stop, you were expecting to receive a warning or ticket for speeding, only to find yourself in handcuffs facing accusations for drunk driving.
A conviction for operating a vehicle under the influence, even a first offense, can have a significant impact on your future. You might wish to protect yourself from suffering potentially devastating consequences, and gaining an understanding of the process could prove beneficial to your future.
When seeking to form a strong strategy for defense, you will likely want to focus on the variables present at the time of your arrest, as well as any tests undertaken in the process. Since you may have little to no experience in this area, some key aspects that could prove crucial to challenging an OVI charge may include the following:
- Reason for your traffic stop: Many accusations for drunk driving begin in this stage, when authorities notice erratic driving behaviors consistent with intoxication. However, this part of the process may be contestable, especially if you can show that you were in full control of your vehicle.
- Behavior throughout the process:Although a slur in speech could indicate intoxication, it may also be the result of a medical condition or a response to a prescription medication.
- Performance of field sobriety tests: A great deal of outside factors, such as nerves or poor lighting, can influence one’s performance during field sobriety tests, and casting doubt on their results could be possible.
- Results of breath/blood tests: You may also be able to question the results of Breathalyzer or blood alcohol tests. The devices used in these tests require maintenance and calibration, and their results are hardly infallible.
Even after gaining an understanding of what to expect throughout this period, you could be feeling somewhat overwhelmed and intimidated by the process. However, you likely want to avoid suffering any unnecessary consequences, and seeking guidance on how to proceed may be in your best interests.
Assistance with the process
With numerous crucial aspects to cover and the potential gravity of a conviction looming overhead, forming a strategy for defense could seem extremely daunting. However, you don’t necessarily have to go through this alone. You could speak with someone with intricate knowledge of Ohio state laws surrounding your current dilemma for guidance on determining the best defense for your case. By obtaining advice early in the process, you could increase your odds of achieving the most favorable outcome possible.
