DUI/DWI Law Blog

Everyone has heard of DUI.  Most have some idea what those letters stand for—“Driving Under the Influence.”  But that is a generic term.  Ohio law has its own terminology.  Years ago, we called it OMVI in Ohio (Operating Motor Vehicle while under the Influence).  Then, in recent years, the Ohio General Assembly went back to the drawing board.  Now we have OVI (Operating a Vehicle under the Influence).  This change probably stems from the... Read More

We’ve discussed before the various forms of OVI cases in Ohio.  But here’s a quick refresher.  There are two general types—impaired and per se.  An impaired offense means just that.  The prosecutor has to prove that the driver was impaired.  A per se offense results when someone has a blood, breath, or urine test above the limit.  In a case where someone refuses, we usually see an impaired offense.  When someone takes... Read More

Imagine this conversation:
“Mommy, why does Daddy’s car have a different license plate?”
“Well.  Daddy’s car is special.”
“But Why?”
“Because the courts in Ohio say so.”

They are, of course, talking about the yellow plate requirement.  Most of us in Ohio have heard something about this unthinkable horror.  It’s one of the most common questions we get.  Everyone wants to know if... Read More

Cinco de Mayo parties are now the mainstay.  Every Mexican restaurant, cantina, and bar rolls out the red carpet to eager partiers looking for some late spring fun. How many of those partiers, I wonder, actually know what the whoopla is all about?  Like many such “party” holidays, it has a meaningful history.  It has evolved in the United States as a means to celebrate Mexican heritage. So why talk about it here?  Because to those that don’t have any Mexican... Read More

When it comes to OVIs in Ohio, nothing is debated more than the age-old question—to test or not to test.  Many hours of barstool time has been spent bantering on this subject.  Everyone has an opinion, and everyone knows an “expert” on the topic.  But in reality, very few know the real issues lurking behind the debate.... Read More

The holiday season is over.  And football weekends have come to an end. So ends the first “high risk” season for dui’s.  But another is right around the corner—March Madness. Continue reading from Columbus criminal defense attorney Stephen E. Palmer...... Read More

The Columbus DUI attorneys at our firm, Yavitch & Palmer, are experienced in many aspects of drunk driving cases.  The laws cover a variety of different situations and it's important to know that any consumption of alcohol followed by operating any motor vehicle can be considered a DUI offense in Ohio.... Read More

Law enforcement across the country is always looking for innovative ways to protect drivers on the road.  A DUI offense in Ohio, however, can result in a number of life-altering punishments as a result of a DUI conviction.... Read More

A DUI in Columbus Ohio is a serious crime, and in the summer months DUI arrests in Columbus have increased. Across the U.S., local law enforcement prepares for summertime drunk drivers.  You may see an increase in DUI checkpoints, traffic stops, or police... Read More

One of the biggest problems we have encountered with recent OVI / DUI developments involves those holding a commercial driver’s license (CDL).  The problem is that a DUI conviction for a CDL holder can be catastrophic. ... Read More