Columbus Felony DUI Lawyer
Felony OVI Attorney in Columbus, OH
Law enforcement in Ohio are trained to be alert for any erratic driving behavior, such as weaving in and out of traffic lanes, speeding, failing to brake at a red light, or other telltale signs that a driver may be too impaired to safely operate a motor vehicle. An officer may pull the driver to the side of the road and then conduct sobriety testing, a breathalyzer test, or take a blood sample to determine the percentage of alcohol present in the driver's body.
If your BAC measures above the legal limit then the officer will immediately arrest you for a DUI. There are protocols to follow when administering the tests and if done incorrectly then the results can be inaccurate or unreliable. At The Meranda Law Firm LTD, we help many clients who question the tests they received and the validity of their DUI arrests.
What Is an OVI?
The state criminal laws extend a DUI to include other vehicles like boats, golf carts, and some additional vehicles. The offense is an OVI or "operating a vehicle under the influence." It can include alcohol or drugs that influence the driver's ability to operate a vehicle in a safe manner. When a driver has prior DUI or OVI convictions, the penalties increase each subsequent time.
Felony DUI Penalties in Ohio
If you drive while intoxicated or while affected by illegal or prescription drugs and cause an accident that seriously injures or kills someone, you can face a felony DUI charge, or vehicular manslaughter (if the victim loses his or her life). A driver with multiple DUI convictions on record will be facing increased penalties with each subsequent offense.
Repeat offenders facing a felony DUI conviction are looking at one, two, three, four, or five years of mandatory incarceration as a repeat offender. On top of that, he or she could also face the penalties for their felony OVI, which is a non-mandatory, consecutive sentence of 9 - 36 months by discretion.
- The fourth occurrence within 6 years moves the criminal charges to a 4th degree felony with accompanying harsh penalties if convicted. The offender may pay fines of $850-$10,000. A driver convicted of a felony DUI likely will receive a sentence of up to 36 months incarceration, license suspension of 3 years to life, vehicle forfeiture, mandatory yellow DUI license plates, and mandatory installation of an ignition interlock device.
- A fifth DUI within 20 years can mean up to 5 years in jail and fines of $1350-$10,500. The court can order the offender to participate in alcohol/drug treatment programs. If the DUI occurred when driving with a suspended license, then the offender may face further ramifications.
You can have serious felony charges against you if you already have three prior DUI convictions and were arrested again for drunk driving. Learn how our attorneys can help protect your rights. Contact us to schedule a free, initial consultation today!
Hear From Our Happy Clients
Reviews & Testimonials
At The Meranda Law Firm LTD, your satisfaction is our priority! See for yourself what our clients have to say about working with us.
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I couldn't have asked for a better attorney. I've had other attorneys and Zach is the only one that actually knew my case and put a lot of time and effort into making sure the outcome was good, which it definitely was. I really think he is one of the best attorneys & I highly recommend him to anyone that needs legal help.- Payton R
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I have nothing but good things to say about Meranda Law Firm, more so Zack. He was a very professional attorney. Made sure that I knew what was going on and that I understood everything. He seemed to be very involved in the case doing what he could to get the best results. Most importantly Zach always made me feel comfortable and was very good about communicating with me. I would recommend The Meranda Law Firm to anyone needing legal advice or any legal help.- Alexandria Trejo
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He is a very good lawyer and always knows what he is talking about. He knows his stuff and no matter how bad the crime is he will get you out of it and he will always give you his all.- Jenna Taynor
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There are three reasons I recommend Zachuary Meranda if you are arrested for DUI. First off, he is a straight shooter. Never did he sugar coat my situation. Second, he handled everything while keeping me informed and walked me through everything as it progressed. Third, he got me the result- NO DUI!!! Thanks Zak!- Shane Dolen
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Zach Meranda was a real attorney with a no bull shit strategy!!! But he won my criminal case even when the odds were against me and I thank him and his associates!!- Pfeifer
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Zach did a great job representing me. He worked hard to take care of me in my case. If I ever need a lawyer again, I'll definitely give him a call first.- Rod
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Mr. Meranda does his research! He is very professional and promotes himself and law firm in a great manner. He digs to find the facts and will work hard for you. He makes sure you understand what you are facing and will try to come to the best outcome possible. He is easy to talk to and he tells you “like it is.” He is an upfront, affordable lawyer. I highly recommend The Meranda Law Firm to anyone who is seeking help.- Anonymous
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I hired Mr. Meranda to represent me in a case and he did an excellent job. I am very pleased with the results of the case. Mr. Meranda was very professional and honest. He's is definitely a straight shooter. Thank you Mr. Meranda.- Aaron Jacks
Have Questions?
We Have Answers!
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Should I be worried if I am innocent?The short answer to this question is yes. Our legal system, though endowed with powerful rights and time-tested procedures, is far from perfect. Proclaiming yourself innocent is far from a legal defense, and you will need the assistance of an experienced attorney to gather information and refute evidence. It is a sad fact that innocent people are sometimes convicted of crimes they did not commit. If you have been arrested, a team member from The Meranda Law Firm LTD, serving both Columbus and Newark, can go to immediate work on constructing a strong defense and on seeking to have unfounded charges dropped.
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What important legal rights am I entitled to?If you find yourself crossways with the law, you have important rights that must be protected. First, you have the right to be informed of your rights by police should you be arrested. You have the right to remain silent, which can help you avoid self-incrimination. You also have the right to avoid subjection to an unreasonable search and seizure. Perhaps most importantly is your right to an attorney, and should you face criminal investigation or arrest, you should be in immediate contact with a Columbus criminal defense attorney for knowledgeable and skilled legal counsel.
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Why should I hire a criminal defense attorney?When you are facing a criminal charge, whether a misdemeanor or a felony, your future stands at serious risk. Not only do you face the prospect of jail time, fines, and probation, but if you are convicted you will also carry with you a permanent criminal record that can make such things as obtaining employment, educational opportunities and housing problematic. A lawyer can make sure that your legal rights are well-protected and that a strong defense is mounted on your behalf. Going it alone in the criminal justice system can put you in peril of many unwanted consequences.
