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Toledo DUI Lawyers

1. Agnew & France: Since many criminal offenses carry the possibility of jail time, it is unwise to appear in court without a skilled criminal defense attorney.
2. Walsh, Joseph: # Appellate Practice # Criminal Defense # Felony Criminal # Misdemeanor Criminal # DUI / DWI # Civil Rights (42 USC 1983) # Personal Injury # Auto Accidents # Truck Accidents # Wills # General Litigation
3. Jordan, Joseph: * Traffic violations * Drunk driving/DUI/DWI * Probation * Warrant block on driver's license * White collar crimes (theft, fraud, embezzlement, or other nonviolent felonies)
4. Levy, Jeffrey: A DUI charge is a criminal offense which may impact your life for years to come if convicted. You may be awarded hefty fines, penalties, potential jail time, to having your insurance premium rates dramatically increase, or even having your auto insurance policy dropped by your insurance carrier. If convicted, you will have a permanent criminal record which may affect your life regarding issues relating to housing, education, employment, or other opportunities or goals you may have. An individual may be arrested for a DUI offense even if the are not driving their vehicle. Simply sitting in the vehicle with the keys in the car may result in a DUI arrest. Additionally, driving under the influence charges are not relegated to just motor vehicles; as you may be arrested for a DUI while on a bicycle, moped, golf cart, or while operating any other form of transportation. While it may seem excessive, law enforcement and prosecutor's tend to strictly enforce the laws regarding drinking and driving, and being under the influence of any substance which has the potential to cause property damage, injuries, or death. Obtaining the services of experienced legal council should be the first step in the defense of your legal rights and freedom. In defending DUI charges, your legal council must fully examine the evidence against you to determine whether the evidence will be admissible in court. They must be well versed in the legal requirements that apply to drunk driving and other DUI evidence, including the calibration of breathalyzer tests, the validity and administration of field sobriety tests, and other relevant factors. Any criminal DUI charge should be aggressively defended. The defense of these charges are best served with the advice, assistance, and guidance of experienced legal council.
5. Levy & Clark: If you've been arrested for drunk driving (DUI), you are probably concerned about the possibility of both doing jail time and losing your driver's license. You also may not be sure what to do next.
6. Ramsey, Brian: Experienced and aggressive legal representation can mean the difference between being railroaded by the legal system, and reaping the benefits of your constitutional right to a fair trial.
7. Davis Law Office: The term DUI, Driving under the influence, refers to an individual operating any type of vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance (an illegal narcotic or a prescription medication), you may be charged with DUI. While it is not illegal to drink alcohol and drive, it is illegal to drive Òunder the influenceÓ or "while intoxicated" when your ability to operate a car has been affected by alcohol or drugs, such as when you can no longer judge distances or react to emergencies while driving. With regards to drinking and driving, the legal limit is currently set at a 0.08% alcohol to blood ratio. DUI is a criminal traffic offense, whose penalties are more and more severe each time there is a conviction.Ê For example, a first-time DUI conviction doesnÕt require jail time as part of the sentence.Ê But a second-time DUI conviction within five (5) years of the first requires a minimum of ten (10) days jail.Ê You should also know that DUI can be charged as a felony under certain circumstances.Ê And, if arrested for DUI, your Ohio Drivers' License can be suspended by the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
8. Timothy Van Tuinen: DUI/OVI - Under Ohio Law *Please be advised that this is merely a short summary of only part of the Ohio Revised Code on this subject. The law changes on a regular basis and it would be proper to confirm this information with the current statutes now applicable under Ohio law. An OVI is described under the Ohio Revised Code (ORC) under Sections 4511.181 through 4511.197. An OVI is a misdemeanor of the first degree with a mandatory jail term of three consecutive days, as applicable in some sections of the ORC. The court may sentence the offender to both an intervention program and a jail term. However, the court may not impose a jail term that exceeds six months. The court may also suspend the three-day jail term in exchange for the offender attending a drivers' intervention program certified under section 3793.10 of the ORC. Fines of not less that two hundred and fifty dollars and not more than one thousand dollars are also imposed for an OVI. A class five license suspension as given by section 4510.02 of the ORC is also applicable to OVIÕs. Limited driving privileges may apply. An important note to make of these laws is the reference to "Implied Consent." Any person who operates a vehicle is deemed to have given consent to a chemical test if a police officer has reasonable grounds to believe the person was operating a vehicle under the influence. If the test is refused or failed an Administrative License Suspension (ALS) will be effectuated. Under ALS rules, any motorist stopped for drinking and driving who refuses to take the sobriety test or whose results exceed the legal limit of .08% Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) will have his license suspended immediately. This ALS can range from ninety days to five years, depending on previous offenses. Reinstatement fees are applicable to an ALS. Once an ALS has been issued, the court must hold, if requested, a hearing within five days of the arrest to determine if the court should affirm the suspension. At the hearing the court addresses the following elements: ¥ Was the arrest based on reasonable grounds? ¥ Did the officer request the violator to take a test? ¥ Was the violator made aware of the consequences if he refused or failed the test? ¥ Did the violator refuse or fail the test? *The person appealing the suspension has the burden of proof that one or more of the elements have not been met. If the court affirms the above elements, the suspension is upheld. If the answer is no to the above elements, the court terminates the suspension and reinstates driving privileges.
9. David Shook: No Such Thing as ÒJust a TicketÓ Traffic violations are misdemeanors, but may have serious consequences. It is not always advisable to plead guilty and pay the fine. You could lose your license if you have three moving violations within one year. In some cases, you would not eligible for court supervision for a serious offense like DUI if you had two ÒminorÓ offenses like speeding or no seatbelt. You need a qualified attorney to fight your traffic tickets.
10. David Willey: Being accused of a crime can be an extremely difficult and frightening experience. It is important that you find a criminal defense attorney who will work closely with you and give you the time and attention you need.
11. Crosgrove Law Offices: Driving Under the Influence (Also known as DUI, DWI, OVI)

    You had one too many drinks. Now the officer has arrested you, given you a date when to go to court, and as for your license, well, you probably had to call a friend, or a cab, for a ride home.

    How will you get to work tomorrow?

    Will your boss fire you if he or she finds out?

    Does a DUI really carry mandatory incarceration, up to a maximum of six months of jail, and a 1-year license suspension?

    For most otherwise law-abiding people, a DUI is as bad as it gets. Even on a first offense there is mandatory incarceration, up to six months in jail, a 1-year license suspension (that probably started as a 90 day suspension you have probably already started), a $1,000.00 fine (trivial compared to the jail time and loss of license), and all the other horrors that go with being the defendant in a criminal proceeding.

    There is more bad news I could give you right now, but you donât need more worries÷getting to work tomorrow, and facing the judge in about 4 days is going to be enough to worry anyone. Instead, I will say that the above problems, including the ones you probably donât know about yet, are all manageable. In fact, the good news is that with the right legal help, you can wind up with:

    1. Driving privileges after 30 days if you refused the test, or 15 days even if you blew over the legal limit. (Maybe even sooner if the officer made a mistake filling out the paperwork.)
    2. The Court waiving the orange and yellow ÎDUIâ plates.
    3. No time spent in a jail.
    4. The DUI amended down to something less damaging to your employment possibilities and insurance premiums÷or even dismissed.
    5. You continuing on with your life.

    DUI law is very complicated. The legislature is constantly tinkering with the laws. At one point they handed us three major revisions of the DUI laws in an 18-month time period. And when revisions get handed down, the Trial Courts must then begin to interpret what the laws really mean. And when there is debate on those interpretations, the Courts of Appeal step in and interpret them. Naturally, those Appellate Courts disagree a lot from one district to another, and so then the Ohio Supreme Court has to step in and say with finality what the new law(s) really means.

    And then, of course, the Trial Courts start the process of interpreting what the Ohio Supreme Court has said, and, well, you get the picture÷we never know with any finality what Ohio DUI law is. It is always changing. Almost every week there are new cases decided on the subject, and handed down for attorneys and Trial Courts to be responsible for knowing.

    It is a treadmill that is unlike any other criminal area of practice. Assault, petty theft, passing bad checks are virtually static. Once you learn those areas, you might need to study one new case a year to find some novel nuance that is interesting, but probably irrelevant to any cases you will ever come across.

12. Amy Stoner: You should consult an attorney for individual advice regarding your own situation.
13. Westmeyer Law Offices: Drunk driving and traffic violations can be very damaging, leading to serious fines, suspended licenses, and sometimes even jail time. To avoid unnecessary punishments, you need an experienced traffic violation and DWI / DUI lawyer on your side.
14. Loren Zaner: If I am stopped for a DUI, what if any test should I take? È Field Performance Tests There are a number of field performance tests that various police agencies administer. These include, among others: horizontal gaze; walking a straight line and turning; one leg raise, alphabet; etc. Do not take any of these tests. The police are looking for evidence to use against you. They are not really looking to determine if you are under the influence of alcohol. They have made that determination by your driving, your breath, your eyes, the smell of alcohol and other observations they make. The field tests just support their conclusion. You do not have to take these tests. There is no consequence for your failure to do so, other than you will be considered uncooperative and arrested. They will likely arrest you anyway. Tell the officer you would like to do the tests, but your attorney advised you not to. Or, tell the officer you want to contact your attorney before performing any tests. You must realize that likelihood of your passing these tests are slim. Also, the officer could put down that you failed the test, even if you felt you passed. Your word versus the officerÕs is a losing proposition. Remember, you are likely nervous, tired and possibly under the influence. You have not done these tests before and are being judged by someone who has done and observed these over a thousand times. You are not likely satisfying the officerÕs requirements. È top È Breath, blood, or urine tests There may be times where you will have no choice as to whether or not to submit to these tests. If you are unconscious, if you are transported for medical treatment, if the police obtain a search warrant and if you refuse to cooperate, depending on the jurisdiction you are in, you could be facing a felony. However, if you have the option to take or not take the test, there are a number of factors to consider. First of all, always try to reach your attorney for advice. Make sure your attorney is familiar with these laws and the consequences to you for failure to take the test. Yes, you may lose your right to drive for a refusal, but often you can usually receive occupational privileges after a short suspension. If you are unable to reach your attorney, you need to consider how much you had to drink before taking or not taking the test. If you believe you will be over the legal limit, likely you should not take the test. In Ohio, if you reach a certain limit, the penalties are enhanced, i.e., mandatory 6 days in jail versus 3 days in jail. You need to consider all of these factors before taking the test. If your test result is above the legal limit, it is likely the attorneyÕs options are limited. Unless the police did not follow the procedures properly, the test results will come in against you in court. That may be all that is needed to convict you of driving under the influence. È top Should I allow the police to search my car or house? The Constitution of the United States of America and of the State you live in provides that you are free from unreasonable search and seizure. There are way too many exceptions to the requirement that the police obtain a search warrant before they search your home or automobile that they cannot possibly be included here. Suffice it to say, NEVER consent to the police searching your home, your person, or your vehicle. Either they will do it without your consent or, if they believe it is necessary, they will seek a search warrant. If you consent to the search, you lose almost all possibility of challenging the search. You could still argue that you did not voluntarily consent to the search; that you were coerced, etc., but your chances of success are slim. If the police do conduct a search without your consent, at least you have the opportunity to challenge it in court. You may not win, but at least you have an issue that can be raised at the trial and appellate levels. It is important that you do everything you can to help your attorney and yourself. This is one way to do that.
15. Adrian Cimerman: If you or a loved one has been accused of a criminal offense, the manner in which the defense is handled will literally change one's life. An experienced criminal defense attorney is essential in guiding a defendant through the system and achieving the best possible result. Make no mistake about it, decisions made during the course of a criminal defense representation often determine whether one goes free or is incarcerated. DUI: "DUI" stands for Driving Under the Influence and occurs when someone is operating, or is in actual physical control, of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or other controlled substance, to the extent that their mental faculties are impaired and/or their blood alcohol content (BAC) is above the legal limit. Even for a first offense, penalties can include license suspension, substantial fines, community service, mandatory attendance at a state or DMV approved alcohol program, mandatory overnight incarceration and the required installation (at the offender's expense) of a car ignition locking device. In addition, a DUI conviction stays on a DMV record for at least 7 years, it typically results in higher insurance premiums and an offender may become ineligible for credit. Plus, a DUI could also jeopardize your employment opportunities. However, if someone was injured as a result of the drunken driving accident, it is possible the defendant will be charged with a felony (and if the victim dies, the driver may be charged with vehicular manslaughter). Further, a DUI conviction will likely be raised to a felony if it is the driver's fourth DUI offense or the driver has had a prior felony DUI offense within 10 years of the new charge.
16. Joel Kirkpatrick: Upon arrest for a DUI offense you will make an appearance in Court to begin the process of fighting for your rights. The officer who pulled you over will provide his reports to the prosecutor's office. The prosecutor may add or delete charges originally brought once he or she obtains the alcohol test results. You must enter a plea of NOT GUILTY. In no case should you plead guilty right away. It is essential to review all police reports, scientific results, and the procedures used at arriving at a particular alcohol level, before you enter a plea.The scientific procedures are not available at such an early stage of the proceedings. It takes time and effort to force the prosecution to provide you every shred of evidence needed to defend your case. You must obtain calibration results of the machines used. You must obtain the protocol used to test and evaluate your blood or breath sample. You must obtain evidence from the crime lab which may establish the machine used was not properly functioning at the time your test was analyzed. You may need the services of an expert witness - called a forensic toxicologist - to help assess your defenses.
17. Daryl Rubin: You have a right to cross-examine the witness against you (usually the police officer). An experienced attorney is best equipped to handle cross-examination and increase the odds of successfully defending the charges against you.
18. Jeffrey Zilba: Ohio has long had one of the toughest DUI laws in the country. Nonetheless, in the summer of 2000, a new bill was passed by the Ohio General Assembly, and signed by the Governor, which even further strengthened penalties against drunk drivers. DUI IN OHIO Ohio has long had one of the toughest DUI laws in the country. Nonetheless, in the summer of 2000, a new bill was passed by the Ohio General Assembly, and signed by the Governor, which even further strengthened penalties against drunk drivers. Even more recently, Ohio joined the majority of states in lowering the BAC threshold, as measured in the blood, breath or urine, from .10 to .08. Almost everyone knows that the minimum penalty for a first offense DUI is 3 days of incarceration together with the imposition of a fine. However, beginning in the summer of 2000, your blood/breath alcohol content (BAC) may result in a greater penalty. Under current law, any person found to have a prohibited BAC of .17 or more is now subject to a mandatory period of incarceration of 6 days. Moreover, if your BAC exceeds .17 and this is your 2nd offense within 6 years, the penalty is enhanced from a mandatory period of incarceration of 10 days to a period of 20 days. Also keep in mind that license suspensions, vehicle immobilizations, forfeitures, fines, and increased insurance premiums will all need to be considered when you're charged with DUI. Jeffrey C. Zilba has been representing persons accused of DUI for over 14 years. He has been successful in both the Ohio trial courts and courts of appeals in obtaining fair results for his clients. DUI is a very serious charge! Do not entrust this important legal matter to counsel unfamiliar with the law. The manner that your case is handled WILL have life-long consequences. It is highly recommended that any one charged with this offense contact an experienced attorney for representation. WHAT TO DO IF ARRESTED First and foremost, always be respectful and polite to any law enforcement officer(s). Never argue with them or challenge their authority-- this is a battle you will lose. Remember, they are doing their job. Remain in your vehicle after being stopped. Provide the officer with your vehicle registration and license. DO NOT answer any questions concerning whether you have been consuming alcohol. DO refrain from too much conversation with the investigating officer(s). DO indicate to the officer that you are willing to fully cooperate but would like to speak with your lawyer first. Because of Ohio's new law, I generally recommend my clients DO NOT consent to a chemical test of their blood, breath or urine. Obviously, this is a general rule and must be decided on a case-by-case basis. I further suggest that my clients DO NOT agree to perform any field sobriety (roadside) tests offered by on-the-scene officers. Fully recognizing that a mandatory license suspension will result from any refusals, I nonetheless, believe my clients are best served by refusing to become the "best witness against themselves." This does not mean that cases in which a breath, urine or blood sample was obtained cannot be defended; it is simply a realization that the less evidence the better. Always remember that it is the prosecutor who bears the burden of proof, not the Defendant. I'VE BEEN CHARGED, WHAT NEXT? If you've had the unpleasant experience of being formally charged with DUI, contact your lawyer ASAP. If possible, call him from the police station. If it is too late, or if you did not think to contact your lawyer, call him as soon as you are able. If you would like to contact me, I do have a 24 hour telephone service. Although, I cannot always be available, I do strive to make my myself accessible as much as possible. WHAT ARE THE POTENTIAL PENALTIES? As discussed above, Ohio's DUI law is tough! In the event you are ultimately convicted of such an offense, our dui penalties chart may be useful. Click here to calculate your BAC. This is only to be used for amusement and educational purposes. Remember never drink and drive!!
19. Darrell Cosgrove: For a Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol charge, the stakes go higher. You are looking at a minimum of 3 days in jail, up to six months. Your license will be suspended, and you might get work privileges after the judge is willing to grant them and after you have enrolled in treatment for your alcohol problem.