To arrest you on a DUI charge, law enforcement officers must follow a series of steps that attempt to show you were driving while under the influence. These steps also must show that the officer had a legitimate reason for stopping your car, such as suspicion of a traffic violation, and that the officer had a reasonable suspicion of your level of intoxication. If the officer misses any steps, we can use this error to try to avoid a conviction for you.
The National Highway of Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) instructs officers to concentrate on gathering all relevant evidence that may suggest impairment but cautions against committing to an OVI arrest based upon their initial observations in Stage One.
Learn More on DUI Investigation Stage One
Officers are advised that an initial interview with the driver, as well as prior observations from stage one, will form the basis for any decision to instruct a driver to step out of their vehicle.
Learn More on DUI Investigation Stage Two
In stage three of the police investigation, officers will order a driver out of the vehicle and administer standardized field sobriety testing. After the officer conducts these tests, he will make the decision whether he feels there is sufficient probable cause to arrest the driver for OVI.
Learn More on DUI Investigation Stage Three
Ohio Police Officers, Sheriff’s Deputies and State Highway Patrolmen must have probable cause or reasonable suspicion to conduct a traffic stop. If there is no traffic violation, there is very rarely an OVI.