Ohio's OVI (Operating a Vehicle under the Influence) law is one of the toughest in the nation. Beside the possible incarceration and financial burdens incurred, the automatic license suspension provisions can have a devastating affect on your right to drive for an extensive period of time. New enactments added such penalties as mandatory treatment and interlocks, restricted plates, and immobilization or even forfeiture of your car. And your conviction stays on your driving record for life. Your OVI conviction will remain on you record forever.
In addition to these provisions, recent amendments to the law exact greatly enhanced and mandated jail sentences for multiple offenders and the possibility of incurring a felony record. Additionally, if you own a commercial driver's license, an OVI conviction could mean a possible loss of your CDL for a minimum of one year and in the case of multiple offenses, for life.
It is vitally important that any one accused of an OVI seek immediate advise from a professional having the training and education to handle these matters. The law is extremely complicated and requires the utmost knowledge and experience to defend. Your life and livelihood depends on a thorough and meticulous defense.
The purpose of this website is to give you some understanding of the Ohio's OVI law.
Since the establishment of the Ohio Juvenile Court System, we have been taught that “convictions” as a juvenile are sealed and not opened resulting from a conviction as an adult. The reason is that judgments under the juvenile system “adjudicate” juveniles as a delinquent or unruly child depending [...] Continue Reading…
Recently, I’ve received a number of comments with questions regarding a personal case in which the commentator, a relative or friend is involved. Please note, the comment section of the blog is for responses to the blog to which the comment is attached. Any response I would make would [...] Continue Reading…
“I just had my trial and the jury was wrong. I want to appeal!” Most practioners hear this outcry many times during their careers. But appealing an adverse verdict to the court of appeals, based upon the evidence only, is more difficult than one thinks. Recently, I presented an [...] Continue Reading…
Over the last few months the following incidents have occurred between attorneys and the courts:
1. An attorney enters a room where the prosecutor is located for the purpose of entering into pre-trial discussions with the prosecutor. To their surprise, the judge is seated behind the prosecutor with the file [...] Continue Reading…
Many of my readers contact me, post-conviction, to complain about their attorney’s performance while representing them. Of course, this outrage comes from the fact that the outcome was not of their liking – mostly convictions. A number asked whether the fact they had a “bad” lawyer can be used [...] Continue Reading…
