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Inevitably, most college students drink and most of them are under the age of 21. Underage alcohol consumption and/or possession is one of the most common criminal charges for young people in Ohio.  This one mistake can have devastating and irreversible consequences.  Especially if the student chooses to drive and is pulled over.  While I absolutely do not condone this behavior, it happens.

There is a “zero tolerance” policy in Ohio for operating vehicle for anyone under the age of 21 and having consumed alcohol. A student can be arrested if law enforcement is to find any alcohol in their system while driving. The legal BAC limit for juveniles is much lower than for anyone legally consuming alcohol; 0.02 or higher.  If under 21, and decides to submit to a breath test then blows between a .02 and .08, they will probably be charged with Operation of a Vehicle after Underage Consumption or OVUAC. If convicted the student could be found guilty of a fourth degree misdemeanor and their license would be suspended from two months to five years.  Furthermore, the penalties are so extreme that there could be jail time as well as a permanent criminal record which can affect applications to college, scholarships, as well as employment opportunities

As a criminal defense attorney in Ohio, I have defended and counseled many students who have been in this situation.  Many times the person was not actually impaired and the testing was incorrectly done.  The breath testing equipment that is used in Ohio is not the best and has flaws, including a percentage of error as well as other errors that can occur such as improper calibration, a faulty unit, or a test that has been improperly administrated.

I take an aggressive and thorough approach when I represent young clients/students. My first goal is to get diving privileges back as soon as possible.  I am dedicated to ensure that my client does not fall victim to false prosecution. I will advocate and protect rights while creating a defense strategy to avoid a criminal charge that could affect future employment and education.

The Bottom Line:  Everyone makes mistakes. Being charged with an  DUI, DWI, OUI and OVUAC is a serious criminal offense and can be a scary experience. The student’s future is at stake, and needs the very best, knowledgeable and experienced attorney to advocate for him/her. I will take immediate action to protect the student’s rights with a solid defense. Keep my number in your phone and call me any time- 513-260-2099