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Fighting the charges of Operating a Vehicle After Underage Consumption can be an uphill battle but an experienced criminal defense attorney in Ohio can put together a good defense and increase the chances of protecting your future from these charges. Ohio is a Zero Tolerance state for underage drinking and driving and to be charged with this means you will face some of the strictest zero tolerance laws in the country.

If you are under 21 and you are pulled over, and you decide to take the test with a result of a  BAC over .02, you will be charged with Operating a Vehicle After Under Age Consumption, or OVUAC. What you will be facing a fourth-degree misdemeanor and a class 6 driver’s license suspension,which includes:

  • 30 days of jail time and/or probation
  • $250 fine
  • 90 days – 2 years driver’s license suspension
  • Court-mandated alcohol treatment program
  • Remedial driving instruction course

An experienced criminal defense attorney in Ohio will be able to use a couple different strategies each case. I will look to the availability of a diversion program. If you are qualified and accepted, the charges would be dismissed and the record of the charge could be expunged.  Second, my office will obtain the evidence the prosecuting attorney intends to introduce, evaluate the strength of that evidence, and pursue potential defenses to the charge.  If a diversion program is not an option, or if a client opts not to participate in a diversion program, we plead Not Guilty and defend against the underage drinking charge through the court process.  The court process may include pretrial hearings, hearings on motions to suppress evidence, and a trial.  In all cases, we seek the best possible outcome for underage drinking charges from both a legal perspective and a treatment perspective.

The Bottom Line: Kids and young adults make mistakes.  It’s part of growing up and becoming an adult and often situations come about with difficult consequences.  Put my number in your mobile.  I have experience helping with underage drinking and other criminal charges and will protect your future.  Let’s keep a criminal record from affecting your life.  513-260-2099