First Offense OVI / DUI Reduced to Reckless Operation

A business executive in her early 40s was driving home one evening when she was pulled over by a Hilliard Police officer for a marked lanes violation. After speaking with her, the police officer asked her to step out of her vehicle and perform the roadside field sobriety tests. The driver complied. After completing the tests, she was arrested and charged with first offense OVI / DUI. She was then taken back to the Hilliard Police Department and asked to take a breath test. She refused. Her license was then taken and she was placed under a one year administrative license suspension. Her case was then scheduled for arraignment in Hilliard Mayor’s Court.

Having never been charged with more than a speeding ticket, the business executive was understandably concerned. She was unable to drive and did not want a first offense OVI / DUI conviction on her background. After a great deal of research on hiring an OVI / DUI attorney, her husband spoke with attorney Ben Luftman. After speaking with attorney Luftman, the Columbus Criminal Defense team was hired to represent her on the case.

Initially, attorney Luftman went to Hilliard Mayor’s Court, requested and was granted a stay of her one year license suspension. The stay was critical in that it gave our client her full license back while her first offense OVI / DUI case was pending.

Ultimately, it was in our client’s best interest to transfer her case from Hilliard Mayor’s Court to Franklin County Municipal Court. After the case had been transferred, attorneys with LHA were able to negotiate the reduction of her first offense OVI / DUI charge to a lesser reckless operation charge. The reckless operation is a non-alcohol related traffic offense. Additionally, we negotiated the reduction of her license suspension from one year to six months. Our client was granted limited driving privileges immediately and the judge did not place her on any type of probation.

Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome in your case. Individual results may vary based on the facts, injuries, jurisdiction, venue, witnesses, parties, and other factors. The results and client testimonials provided are not necessarily representative of the results obtained by all clients or their satisfaction with the firm’s services.