what is ovi charge

OVI stands for "operating a vehicle while intoxicated (or impaired)" and is a term used in some states to describe drunk driving. In some states, an OVI is easier to prove than a DUI because you don’t have to prove that the defendant’s driving abilities were impaired, but rather that they were operating a vehicle. In Ohio, OVI is the official term for drunk driving. The term DUI (driving under the influence) is more commonly used in most states. In Ohio, there are two basic types of drug-related OVI charges: OVI "impaired" and OVI "per se". An OVI is often a misdemeanor, but it may become a felony in certain situations, such as when the accused has committed prior OVI offenses.