Akron OVI & DUI Attorney

Former Prosecutor, Top Summit County Defense Team

If you are accused of driving under the influence, you can expect to face an uphill battle against prosecutors, the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles, and plaintiffs. You are up against serious penalties, including the loss of your driving privileges, time behind bars, and thousands of dollars in fines. You need a skilled Akron OVI attorney to tenaciously defend your rights and to thoroughly safeguard your future. You need our legal team.

Why You Should Call VanHo Law:

Facing charges for any of the following?

• More than 25 years of legal experience
• Named one of the top ten criminal attorneys in Ohio
• Included in The National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40
• Former Prosecutor with Insider’s Perspective
• Aggressive & Personalized Defense strategies

Call (330) 681-1120 to schedule a free case evaluation with our Akron OVI lawyer today!

Will I Lose My License or Driving Privileges?

Depending on the circumstances of your charge, you could be up against serious penalties. Certain factors, such as being underage or being a repeat offender can aggravate your charges. That is why it is crucial to know what penalties may be involved in your case. Most importantly, losing driving privileges can be detrimental.

These OVI / DUI offenses bring about the following license suspension:

• First Offense: 6 months to 3 years of license suspension.
• Second Offense: Between 1 and 5 years of license suspension
• Third Offense: Between 2 to 10 years of license suspension
• Fourth Offense: 3 years to permanent license suspension

As each person’s DUI case will vary, so too will the penalties differ according to the specifics of your arrest. The sooner you contact our firm, the sooner we can begin building a solid defense.

Can You Refuse a Breathalyzer Test in Ohio?

In Ohio, drivers who are lawfully arrested for OVI (Operating a Vehicle Impaired) are subject to the state’s implied consent law, which means that by operating a vehicle, they have agreed to submit to chemical testing, including breathalyzer tests, if law enforcement suspects impairment. Refusing a breathalyzer test is an option, but it comes with serious consequences.

If a driver refuses the test, they will face an immediate administrative license suspension (ALS), even before the criminal OVI case is resolved. For a first refusal, the suspension lasts for one year, while subsequent refusals lead to longer suspensions. It's important to note that refusal can also result in enhanced penalties if convicted of OVI later. The refusal itself may be used as evidence of impairment during the court proceedings, making it harder to contest the charge.

Additionally, refusing a breathalyzer test does not mean the case will be dismissed. Law enforcement may still rely on other evidence, such as field sobriety tests or observations of impairment, to build a case against the driver. In some situations, refusing the test could limit the amount of evidence against the driver, but it can also result in harsher penalties if the driver is convicted.

An experienced Akron DUI lawyer can help analyze the specifics of the case, including whether the arrest was lawful and if the refusal was handled properly, to potentially mitigate the consequences.

Contact our OVI attorney in Akron by calling (330) 681-1120 today to learn more about how we can help you!