Legal Blog & Information

How To Check Your Points, Driving Record, And Reinstatement Requirements.

Columbus, Ohio DUI Attorney Michael Puterbaugh explains how to examine your driving record. The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles or “BMV” makes a wide variety of services available to the public online available anytime. The BMV’s main website is located at http://www.bmv.ohio.gov/. You can also go the following link to see the list of their… read more

A DUI Can Cost More Than Lawyer’s Fees

It has been said that a DUI will cost the average defendant $5,000 to $10,000. This is not just the lawyer’s fee. Additional costs are numerous. There can include the following: reinstatement fees, fines, court costs, medical experts, forensic experts, transcripts, private investigators, medical records, personal or vehicle bond (which your attorney cannot post for… read more

Columbus DUI Field Sobriety Tests

Suhre and Associates, LLC sent four of its lawyers to get certified to administer standardized field sobriety tests recently. All four lawyers graduated from the 3 day program and were certified. Our lawyers now have the same training that the police have as it relates to detection and apprehension of DUI offenders. This will make… read more

Penalties For A 1st Time OVI.

A first offense DUI in Ohio has the following penalties: Administative License Suspension (“ALS”) for test refusal equals a one year license suspension. ALS for a test over the prohibited Blood Alcohol Content (“BAC”) = 90 day license suspension. Jail – Minimum of three consecutive days or 3-day driver intervention program. Fine – Minimum $375… read more

What Is Ignition Interlock?

Most DUI arrests result in an administrative suspension from the BMV. The suspension will last for at least 90 days. You can also drive if the court allows you limited privileges. The Judge may require special plates or ignition interlock when granting limited driving privileges. You can obtain limited privileges for work, educational, medical, and… read more

Want Driving Privileges After Suspension For No Insurance?

Have you been charged with a DUI or OVI in Columbus, Ohio? You will need to show proof of insurance to the police, the court, or the BMV. If you fail to show the required proof that the vehicle you were alleged to have been driving was covered by a state minimum policy you will… read more

Your Right TO Remain Silent!

In 1999, the Supreme Count of the United State held that a guilty plea does not waive the self-incrimination privilege at sentencing in a case called Mitchell v. US, 526 U.S. 314 (1999), 119 S.Ct. 1307. The Court based its rational on the Fifth Amendment where its terms prevent a person from being “compelled in… read more

Felony OVI / DUI

A felony DUI is charged when the offense is a fourth or more in six years or a sixth offense in the last twenty. This is a felony of the fourth degree. Among all the other serious penalties that go along with a felony DUI, the most serious is that all future DUIs will be… read more

Forced Urine Test In A DUI Prosecution

Man Says Police Forcibly Collected Urine Sample – This was reported in Cincinnati by WLWT. Lawrenceburg, IN. Sept. 3 — An Indiana man has filed a lawsuit claiming that police forcibly withdrew urine from his body during a drunken driving arrest. According to the suit, police arrested Jamie Lockard, 53, on suspicion of drunk driving… read more

OVI / DUI Risks When Alcohol Mixed With Stimulant Energy Drinks

There is media buzz about energy drinks mixed with alcohol lately. However the companies making the drinks defend their products by saying the concept of mixing alcohol and caffeine is not new and the FDA has not banned them. Rum and coke, irish coffee are only two historical examples of this traditional practice. The concern… read more