DUI Terminology

Facing a DUI charge can be overwhelming, partly because of the specific legal language involved. This guide breaks down essential DUI terminology and provides critical information to help you understand the situation you’re facing in Ohio.

DUI Terminology Explained

Here is a list of common terms you’ll encounter in a DUI case. Understanding this vocabulary is the first step toward navigating the legal process.

• Absorption Phase: This is the time it takes for your body to fully absorb alcohol into the bloodstream. This process typically lasts anywhere from 30 minutes to three hours after consumption.
• BAC (Blood Alcohol Concentration): Also known as Blood Alcohol Content, BAC measures the percentage of alcohol in your bloodstream. This measurement is the primary basis for DUI laws in every state, including Ohio. A higher BAC indicates a greater level of impairment. If you’re looking for a Steubenville criminal lawyer, finding one who understands the science behind BAC is crucial.
• Breathalyzer/Breathalyser: A breathalyzer is a device law enforcement officers use to estimate a driver’s Blood Alcohol Concentration. It can be a portable, handheld unit used on the roadside or a more stationary machine at the police station.
• DUI (Driving Under the Influence): This acronym stands for Driving Under the Influence. It’s a broad charge that covers impairment from both alcohol and drugs, including legally prescribed medications that affect your ability to drive safely.
• DWI (Driving While Intoxicated): This term means Driving While Intoxicated or Impaired. Like DUI, it applies to impairment from alcohol or drugs, even those that are legal. In many jurisdictions, DUI and DWI are used interchangeably to describe the same offense.
• Field Sobriety Tests: These are standardized procedures administered by police officers to evaluate a driver’s physical and mental coordination. They are often the first step in a DUI investigation. Common tests include the one-leg stand, the horizontal gaze nystagmus test (following an object with your eyes), the walk-and-turn test, reciting the alphabet (sometimes backward), and the finger-to-nose test.
• Ignition Interlock Device/Vehicle Lock: Often called the “blow and go,” this is a breathalyzer device installed in a person’s vehicle at their own expense. The driver must provide a breath sample before the car will start. If the device detects alcohol, the vehicle’s ignition is locked. A knowledgeable Steubenville DUI attorney can explain the circumstances under which this device might be required.
• Implied Consent: This is a legal principle tied to holding a driver’s license. By accepting a license, you automatically agree to submit to BAC testing, which can include chemical tests of your breath, blood, or urine if you are lawfully arrested for a DUI.
• Occupational Limited License: Sometimes called a “bread and butter license” or OLL, this is a temporary, restricted license. It allows an individual whose regular license is suspended for a DUI to drive for specific purposes, such as to and from work or school.
• Probable Cause: This is the legal standard that a police officer must meet to justify stopping a vehicle, questioning a driver, or making an arrest. If an officer acts without probable cause, any evidence collected against the driver may be considered inadmissible in court.
• Sobriety Checkpoints: Also known as “safety checkpoints,” these are roadblocks set up by law enforcement to screen drivers for impairment. Officers at these checkpoints check every driver passing through for signs of Driving Under the Influence and other violations. Consulting a Steubenville criminal lawyer can help you understand your rights in all of these situations.

DUI Information for Steubenville, Ohio

Driving Under the Influence (DUI) is a serious offense in Ohio with severe, life-altering consequences. The state’s DUI laws are complex and frequently updated, and the specifics of each case make the situation even more challenging. Penalties for DUI convictions are consistently strengthened with each legislative revision.

How DUI is Determined

A DUI charge depends on the results of BAC testing. This can include a combination of field sobriety tests and chemical tests (blood, breath, or urine). For adults over 21, a BAC level of 0.08% or higher legally defines them as an impaired driver. Refusing to take these tests can result in separate penalties, including an automatic license suspension. Ohio has a zero-tolerance policy for underage drinking; for drivers under 21, a BAC of 0.02% or higher can lead to a DUI charge. A skilled Steubenville criminal lawyer can challenge the validity of these tests.

Furthermore, penalties become more severe for multiple DUI offenses, DUIs involving accidents, or having a BAC that is significantly higher than the legal limit (e.g., over 0.17%).

Why You Need Legal Representation

Given the complexity of the law and the high stakes involved, hiring an experienced Steubenville DUI attorney is essential. A qualified lawyer understands the nuances of Ohio’s DUI statutes and knows how to apply them to the unique facts of your case. It is critical to secure legal help as soon as possible after your arrest.

If you have been charged with a DUI in Steubenville, the guidance of a proficient and knowledgeable criminal defense attorney is indispensable. The Logue Criminal Defense team has extensive experience defending clients against DUI charges. Serving Steubenville and the surrounding areas in Ohio and West Virginia, Logue Law Group is ready to help. Call Steubenville DUI attorney for a consultation at (844) PITT-DUI or contact us online today.