No, you do not.  In fact, it may be advantageous for you to refuse because submitting to a test will provide a prosecutor with evidence that will be used against you aggresively in an OVI prosecution.  If they are above the legal limit of .08 (%, whole blood), the results of a breath test can be the most powerful weapon at a prosecutor's disposal.

However, if you do refuse, you will be placed under an Administrative License Suspension (ALS).  The police officer must make you aware of the ALS.  The tone of the officer may seem to coerce or intimidate you into taking the breath test to avoid the ALS.  What the officer may not tell you is that there is a possibility of an appeal and stay of the ALS, meaning that your driving privileges would be restored during the pendency of your case.

If you have been charged with OVI, call us at 614.360.2103.  If you did submit to a breath test, and tested over the legal limit, we will explore several possible legal options to determine whether the test results are valid.  In certain situations, the test results can be suppressed, and therefore, not admissible in court.