Affirmative Defenses for Prescription Drug OVI Charges in Ohio

Did you get a prescription drug OVI?  Do you have a valid prescription?

Ohio and the Ohio State Highway Patrol have made enforcement of DUI laws against illegal and prescription drugs a priority.  Throughout the state, this means that you now face arrest if you are taking many common prescription medications.  Given that upwards of 70% of Americans are taking a prescription medication, you need to know your rights.

Ohio provides an affirmative defense to an impaired driving charge if you have both a valid prescription from an authorized professional and you were taking your medication according to the directions provided. R.C. 4511.19(K)(1).

If you are found driving with the prescription or a metabolite of your prescription you can present proof of the prescription as an affirmative defense.  This affirmative defense also applies if you have a valid prescription, but the police find the medication in a different pill bottle or a pill box.  It is important that your obtain the services of an experienced OVI attorney to avoid a conviction.

The penalties for prescription drug OVI offenses are the same for first offense drunk driving offense.  Ohio has very harsh laws and you don’t want to find yourself facing a charge alone.

OVI attorney Charles M. Rowland II dedicates his practice to defending the accused drunk driver in the Miami Valley and throughout Ohio.  He has the credentials and the experience to win your case and has made himself Dayton’s choice for drunk driving defense. Contact Charles Rowland by phone at (937) 318-1384 or toll-free at 1-888-ROWLAND (888-769-5263). If you need assistance after hours, call the 24/7 DUI Hotline at (937) 776-2671.  You can have DaytonDUI at your fingertips by downloading the DaytonDUI Android App or have DaytonDUI sent directly to your mobile device by texting DaytonDUI (one word) to 50500.  Follow DaytonDUI on Facebook, @DaytonDUI on Twitter, YouTube, Tumblr, Pheed and Pintrest or get RSS of the Ohio DUI blog. Email us at CharlesRowland@CharlesRowland.com or visit us at 2190 Gateway Dr., Fairborn, Ohio 45324.  “All I do is DUI defense.”

For more information on prescription drug OVI charges or affirmative defenses for a prescription drug OVI charge check these city-specific sites at the following links:

Fairborn, Dayton, Springfield, Kettering, Vandalia, Miamisburg, Xenia, Huber Heights, Oakwood, Beavercreek, Centerville