Mahaffey & Associates, Attorneys & Counselors at Law
Call for a Free Consultation 419-741-0111
Mahaffey & Associates, Attorneys & Counselors at Law
419-741-0111

Trusted Toledo Attorneys Here For You In Difficult Times

You Don’t Have To Fight Drunk Driving/OVI Charges Alone

The drunk driving laws change from year to year, and the penalties keep getting tougher. If you are charged with operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs (OVI), you need a lawyer who is current on the law and aggressive in fighting the charges.

Mahaffey & Associates, LLC, provides a vigorous defense to citizens of Toledo and northwest Ohio who have been arrested for OVI and other alcohol and traffic violations, including college students at universities like The University of Toledo.

Possible Ohio Drunk Driving Charges

Our criminal defense lawyers have represented drivers from all walks of life in a variety of scenarios:

  • First offense OVI and repeat offenders
  • Under 21 OVI (blood alcohol content of .02%)
  • CDL truck drivers (BAC of .04%)
  • Refusal of a chemical test or breath test
  • Out-of-state drivers arrested in Ohio

Our goal is to avoid a conviction or minimize jail time, license suspensions and other consequences. Our attorneys are skilled at challenging the probable cause for the traffic stop and conclusions drawn from field sobriety tests and breathalyzers.

Defense Strategies For DUI/OVI Cases

Our criminal defense attorneys employ various strategies to protect your rights when facing DUI/OVI charges. We thoroughly examine every aspect of your case, including:

  • Challenging police stops: We scrutinize whether the police officer had probable cause to stop your motor vehicle. If the stop was unlawful, it could lead to the dismissal of criminal charges.
  • Contesting field sobriety tests: These tests can be unreliable and affected by factors unrelated to the influence of alcohol or drugs. We question the administration and interpretation of these tests.
  • Examining breathalyzer accuracy: We investigate whether the device was properly calibrated and administered. Due to various factors, blood alcohol concentration results can be inaccurate, potentially unfairly putting you over the legal limit.

Our goal is to find inconsistencies in the police report and challenge evidence gathered by law enforcement officers. With skilled legal representation, we work tirelessly to protect your rights and drive the future.

Penalties Associated With DUI/OVI Convictions

Understanding the potential consequences of a DUI/OVI conviction is crucial. These may include:

  • License suspension: You could face administrative license suspensions, losing your driving privileges for a significant period. This can severely impact your daily life and employment.
  • Jail time and fines: Depending on the circumstances, you might spend days in jail or even months in jail. Substantial fines are also common, adding financial strain to an already stressful situation.
  • Impact on insurance and employment: A DUI/OVI conviction can lead to increased insurance premiums and may appear on background checks, potentially affecting your current and future employment opportunities.

Additional penalties may include:

  • Mandatory alcohol education programs: You may be required to attend and complete educational courses on alcohol abuse and its effects on driving.
  • Community service: You may be required to perform unpaid work for community organizations as part of your sentence, which can impact your personal and professional commitments.
  • Ignition interlock device: This breathalyzer-like device may be installed in your vehicle. It requires you to provide a breath sample before starting the engine.

These consequences can have long-lasting effects on your driving record and personal life.

At Mahaffey & Associates, LLC, we understand the gravity of DUI/OVI charges. Our law firm is committed to providing compassionate and effective representation. We’ll explore all possible defenses, including challenging urine tests and other evidence, to pursue a positive outcome for your case.

“Do I Need A Lawyer For A First-Time OVI?”

Avoiding a conviction or straight guilty plea for a first offense OVI is critical because of the jail time and severe penalties involved if you are ever arrested again on drunk driving charges. An attorney who knows the law and the local justice system can limit the impact and help in many ways, including negotiating alternatives to jail, obtaining work privileges (temporary driver’s license), getting you into a drug/alcohol program or helping you comply with probation requirements.

Sure, there are costs in hiring a qualified defense attorney. But in the long run, we are confident that we will save you more money than we charge by getting lesser court fines, lower insurance rates and dismissals of tacked-on offenses – not to mention the impact on your job and future employability.

Contact Us To Get An Experienced Drunk Driving Attorney On Your Side

Immediately schedule a free phone consultation. Call us at 419-741-0111 or send us a message.