Mason DUI & OVI Defense Lawyer
An arrest for Operating a Vehicle Under the Influence (OVI / DUI) in Mason, Ohio immediately puts your driving privileges, financial security, and personal freedom in jeopardy. Under Ohio law (ORC 4511.19), even a first-offense OVI carries mandatory jail time, license suspension, heavy fines, and severe insurance increases.
At the Law Office of David A. Chicarelli Co., LPA, we bring over 50 years of relentless trial litigation to protect drivers across Warren County. Led by trial attorney David Anthony Chicarelli, we challenge every step of the police investigation—from the initial traffic stop on Interstate 71 (I-71), Mason-Montgomery Road, Kings Mills Road, State Route 741, Western Row Road to the scientific validity of breath, blood, or urine tests.
Where Mason OVI & Traffic Cases Are Heard
Mason Municipal Court
Address: 5950 Mason Montgomery Rd., Mason, OH 45040
Jurisdiction: Handles misdemeanor criminal offenses, OVI / DUI charges, traffic citations, and preliminary hearings arising within the City of Mason and Deerfield Township.
Warren County Court of Common Pleas
Address: 500 Justice Dr., Lebanon, OH 45036
Jurisdiction: Handles all felony-level indictments, grand jury proceedings, and felony jury trials across Warren County.
Comprehensive OVI Defense Strategies in Mason
An OVI arrest is not the same as a conviction. Under Ohio law and Ohio Department of Health regulations (OAC 3701-53), the prosecution must prove every element beyond a reasonable doubt. We aggressively challenge:
- The Reason for the Traffic Stop: Officers must possess specific, articulable facts justifying the stop. Minor speed discrepancies or weaving within a single lane can be successfully challenged.
- Standardized Field Sobriety Tests: Did the officer administer the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN), Walk-and-Turn, and One-Leg Stand tests in strict compliance with NHTSA guidelines? Poor weather, uneven pavement, or medical conditions often invalidate test scoring.
- Breathalyzer Machine Accuracy: We obtain and review the calibration records, diagnostic logs, and operator permit records for breath test instruments (such as the Intoxilyzer 8000) to expose technical flaws.
- Chemical Test Refusals: If you refused chemical testing, we challenge whether officers properly read the required Ohio BMV Form 2255 statutory warnings.
- Commercial Driver (CDL) Defense: We protect professional truck drivers facing career-ending license disqualifications.
Emergency ALS Appeals & Limited Driving Privileges
If you tested over the legal limit or refused a test, your driver's license was likely confiscated. You have 30 days from your initial court appearance to file an Administrative License Suspension (ALS) appeal.
We take immediate action to petition the court for limited driving privileges for employment, medical care, and family obligations. Review our notable OVI case victories to learn how our trial team protects our clients' records.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mason OVI Charges
What are the penalties for a first-time OVI in Mason?
A first OVI in Ohio carries 3 to 180 days in jail (or a 3-day Driver Intervention Program), fines from $375 to $1,075, a 1 to 3-year driver's license suspension, and 6 points on your driving record. High-tier results (0.17+ BAC) double the mandatory jail time.
Can I get limited driving privileges in Warren County?
Yes. Following statutory waiting periods (15 days for a test failure or 30 days for a test refusal), our lawyers can petition Mason Municipal Court for court-ordered limited driving privileges for work, school, and necessary medical appointments.
Can an OVI conviction ever be expunged in Ohio?
No. Under Ohio law, OVI convictions can never be expunged or sealed. This makes aggressive defense representation essential to seek a reduction to a non-OVI charge or a complete dismissal.