Operating a Vehicle Impaired (OVI)/Driving Under the Influence (DUI) Defense
Our criminal defense attorneys represent those charged with OVI offenses in Ohio. If you’ve been charged, it’s important to schedule an initial consultation and case evaluation as soon as possible. Our firm offers free consultations to discuss the specifics of your case. If retained, we will immediately review the records of the arrest, field sobriety tests and the conduct of officers involved. For our clients, we offer full representation throughout the criminal defense process. This includes motions, negotiations, and trial.
Misdemeanor Charges
If charged with a misdemeanor, there are several ways to defend against these charges. In every misdemeanor criminal case, the State has the burden to prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. If there is lack of evidence to convict, a motion to dismiss can be filed. A self-defense argument can be raised in addition to other defenses if you were protecting yourself. If a police officer induces you to commit a crime, the entrapment defense would be available. If you committed a crime under either duress or coercion, a defense to that crime can be argued. If you don’t have the intent to commit the crime, dismissal would be available. All these charges can be reduced by plea bargain which would lessen the penalties.
Traffic Violations
Our attorneys represent many clients that have been charged with traffic tickets. Most traffic tickets carry the potential of adding points to your driver license. If you accumulate up to 12 points within a two year period, your driver license will be suspended for six months. Because of this, you need to discuss your ticket as soon as possible with our attorneys. We will gather all the evidence through discovery from the prosecutor and then negotiate a plea bargain so that there will be no points on your driver license. If you caused an accident, we will also help you to negotiate a no contest plea rather than a guilty plea so that your plea can not be used in a subsequent civil trial.
Other Issues
If you violate your earlier probation by conviction of a new charge, you will receive a probation violation. In a probation violation, the original Judge will set the matter for hearing. At that hearing you will need to admit or deny the violation. If admitted, the judge can impose the original sentence. Because of this, it is essential to meet with a criminal attorney to discuss the facts surrounding the violation. With this information, your attorney can provide you with the best strategy in addressing the violation. If you fail to appear for your court hearing, you will receive a bench warrant. A bench warrant will be issued by the court and a law enforcement officer will arrest you. It is important to hire an attorney to lift the bench warrant and assist you in avoiding jail.
Dennis P. Sawan
