Mentor OVI and Divorce Attorney Matthew Ziccarelli Explains Marijuana OVI Charges and the Role of Mediation in Ohio Divorce

Lake County attorney at Ziccarelli Law discusses the questions clients are raising most, from blood tests in marijuana OVI cases to settling divorce issues before trial

MENTOR, Ohio, Sept. 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Matthew S. Ziccarelli, an attorney at Ziccarelli Law in Mentor, Ohio, says questions about marijuana and OVI charges have come up much more often among his clients recently. OVI, or operating a vehicle under the influence, is the Ohio term for what many states call a DUI. Ziccarelli also represents clients in divorce and family law matters across Lake County and Greater Cleveland, where he regularly recommends mediation before a case goes to trial.

Why Marijuana OVI Cases Are Different

Ohio voters approved recreational marijuana for adults in November 2023, but driving under the influence of marijuana remains an OVI offense. Ziccarelli explains that these cases differ from alcohol cases in how the prosecution proves impairment. With alcohol, a breath test measures blood alcohol concentration. With marijuana, there is no breathalyzer, so a blood test is typically used.

The challenge is that a positive result does not show when the marijuana was used. It can be difficult to determine whether a driver was under the influence while driving or had used marijuana a few days earlier. Ziccarelli describes this as a gray area that the law is still working to better understand.

Using Mediation to Settle Divorce Issues Before Trial

In divorce cases, Ziccarelli typically pushes for mediation before any trial takes place. The goal is to settle as many issues as possible. Any issue the spouses do not agree on goes to trial, where the court makes the determination, whether it involves property allocation, custody, or the value of a house or business.

Mediation gives spouses the opportunity to resolve those issues before the court decides them. Even when a couple cannot agree on everything, reaching agreement on one or more issues narrows what is left for the court.

A Common Mistake in Divorce

The mistake Ziccarelli sees most often is a spouse focusing on blame. Many clients believe their spouse's behavior entitles them to a better outcome, such as keeping the house. Ziccarelli explains that this is not how divorce outcomes are decided.

A Family Practice Serving Lake County for More Than Four Decades

Ziccarelli Law has been part of the Lake County legal community for more than four decades. Matthew Ziccarelli practices alongside his father, founder Mark A. Ziccarelli, and the firm often represents clients whose parents or grandparents were also clients. The firm handles divorce, custody and mediation, DUI and OVI defense, criminal matters, probate and wills, personal injury and workers' compensation, and offers free initial consultations.

About Ziccarelli Law

Ziccarelli Law is a father and son law firm in Mentor, Ohio, founded by attorney Mark A. Ziccarelli, who practices with attorney Matthew S. Ziccarelli. The firm serves individuals and families throughout Lake County and Greater Cleveland in divorce and family law, OVI and criminal defense, probate and wills, personal injury and workers' compensation. Learn more at ziccarelli.law.

Media Contact

Ziccarelli Law Matthew S. Ziccarelli, Attorney 8754 Mentor Ave., Mentor, OH 44060 Phone: (440) 255-0500 Email: [email protected] Website: https://ziccarelli.law

SOURCE Ziccarelli Law