Difference Between DUI / DWI / OMVI / OVI

ATTENTION

What is the difference between the acronyms DUI / DWI / OMVI / OVI? Essentially, they are all different ways of saying the same thing: operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. In Ohio, OMVI was the acronym used prior to 2004. OMVI stands for Operating a Motor Vehicle while under the Influence of alcohol or drugs of abuse.

Thereafter, Ohio law changed and the requirement that a vehicle be motorized was removed.  Currently, you will be charged with an OVI. OVI stands for Operating a Vehicle while under the Influence of alcohol or drugs of abuse.

If you are convicted of OVI in Columbus, additional potential issues include:

• Maintaining your current employment
• Licensure issues in some professions
• Difficulty getting a good job in the future
• Difficulty and possible denial in immigration and naturalization proceedings

Simply put, if you are convicted of an OVI, it will be on your criminal background for the rest of your life. No matter what the circumstances were in your case, you run the risk of being considered someone who was convicted of drinking and driving. Therefore, it is critical that you give your OVI charge the level of importance it deserves.

How the Columbus DUI Attorneys with LHA Can Help You Overcome Your DUI / DWI / OMVI / OVI Charge

Our Columbus DUI attorneys at Luftman, Heck & Associates will take an aggressive and comprehensive approach when representing clients charged with OVI. First and foremost, we will look to get your license back and/or get you driving privileges to use as soon as you are eligible.

With respect to your case, we will figure out what mistakes the police made during their investigation, whether the roadside field sobriety tests were conducted properly, whether your arrest was lawful, whether your breath, blood or urine test was conducted properly and any other legal issues that can be raised on your behalf.

We do this by requesting discovery from the prosecutor and by conducting our own investigation. The discovery will generally consist of police reports, additional investigative notes, lab reports and potentially video or audio.

Our investigation will consist of going to the scene, interviewing all witnesses and potentially hiring a private detective or forensic expert for further investigation.  As our client, you will receive a copy of everything received from the prosecutor and our investigation for your review.

Based on the legal weaknesses in the State of Ohio’s case and any other mitigating factors, we will negotiate the best possible plea available with the prosecutor for you to consider in resolving your case.

If a case is not resolved by a plea, the next step depends on the pending motions, scheduling orders, and whether the case is set for a bench or jury trial. A motion hearing addresses the motion before the court; it is not required in every case. A defense lawyer can review the evidence, raise appropriate motions, advise the client about options, and prepare for trial, but cannot guarantee a particular result. If you’ve been charged with OVI, call us today at (614) 500-3836 for a free and confidential consultation of your case.

Need an Experienced Columbus DUI Attorney To Help You Fight Your DUI / DWI / OMVI / OVI ? Contact Us.

If you’ve been charged with a DUI / DWI / OMVI / OVI, it’s important to know what you’re up against. If you have any questions left unanswered by this page, or if you need a competent, experienced Columbus DUI lawyer to fight for you in court, please contact us at (614) 500-3836 or via email at [email protected].