About Underage DUI Cases in Ohio

Have you or one of your children been charged with underage drinking and driving in Columbus, Ohio?  Because the standards are stricter and the penalties may be harsher for those under 21 who are charged with underage drinking and driving, hiring an experienced underage DUI attorney is a wise move.  The legal drinking age in Ohio is 21 years old.  If you are under this age and found driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .02%, you will be guilty of Operating a Vehicle After Underage Consumption (OVAUC).   Adults are not guilty of OVI unless they have a BAC of .08%. 

Penalties for underage DUI, or OVAUC, include having your license suspended for possibly up to 2 years and potential jail time.  If you are between 18 and 21 years of age, you face up to 30 days in jail and if you are under 18, you can be sentenced to serve time in a Juvenile Detention Facility. And, if you have a BAC of .08% or higher the penalties are even more severe, including a mandatory jail sentence.  Additional penalties include being required to complete your license examination again, having 4 points added to your license, and paying a license reinstatement fee.  You will also have a criminal record that will follow you through your life.

Hiring a knowledgeable and experienced Ohio underage DUI lawyer will guide you through this process that has such significant consequences.  The attorney who will prosecute your case has experience and knowledge in OVAUC prosecutions; you should have the same benefit.  An attorney practiced in handling underage DUI can offer all of the defenses available to you, assess whether there is sufficient evidence to convict you, or secure a favorable settlement of the charges on your behalf. 

There is a wealth of case law, statutory law, and court rules that will guide how the defense of an Ohio underage DUI charge should be defended.  There is also complicated data on the measurement of BAC.  You need an attorney who can offer his or her expertise in the scientific principles utilized in the breath and blood tests that measure BAC; an attorney who can steer you through the sometimes complicated court procedures; one who is familiar with the judges and the policies of the prosecutor’s office who can help you navigate the dangerous waters of being charged with underage DUI.  The Maher Law Firm offers just such an attorney.

So, if you’re facing an OVAUC charge for underage DUI, don’t hesitate to contact us at The Maher Law Firm today for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case.  We can evaluate your case and help protect your rights.  We represent clients facing underage DUI charges in Columbus and throughout Central Ohio.

Contact The Maher Law Firm today for a free consultation.  Call 614-205-2208 to speak to a lawyer now.