It's Summertime and the "livin' is easy". Underage college students are home and are probably having a beer or two with their friends. If under 18 and in the possession of or found purchasing alcohol, they could face up to $250 fine and/or up to 30 days in jail. Age 18-21 the fine could be [...]
"I don't want to answer any questions until I contact my lawyer" can be scary to say if an officer is pointing a flashlight at you, but that is exactly what is the best thing to say if you are pulled over, arrested or are in any other accusatory situation. This is your right in [...]
Make no mistake; an OVI charge will cost money, as well as a suspension of your driver’s license. Insurance rates will go up and your entire educational and/or professional future could hinge on the outcome at trial. An experienced criminal defense attorney needs to handle an OVI case, to file motions, gather evidence and then examine it, [...]
Misdemeanors are less serious charges than felonies. Many criminal offenses and almost all traffic offenses are classified as misdemeanors under Ohio law. Misdemeanors are categorized by degree, with a first-degree misdemeanor being most serious and minor misdemeanors being the least. In spite of the fact that these charges are considered less serious, they still can [...]
The Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects all Americans from being forced to say anything which could help the government convict. You have a right not to answer law enforcement when asked questions such as these: Have you been drinking tonight? Where are you coming from? Where are you going? Do you know how fast [...]
Law enforcement must have probable cause to stop, detain, or arrest you for an OVI. Probable cause simply means that enough reliable information exists to support a reasonable belief that a person was operating a motor vehicle while under the influence. Did police officers observe you driving as if impaired— swerving across the road, driving erratically, [...]
At college campuses all over Ohio, for students, even under the age of 21, alcohol is easy to access. Fraternity parties, dorm rooms, off-campus housing, students are drinking without even thinking about the consequences that can reach far into their lives negatively. Not only will they be charged with a misdemeanor, but they might also [...]
In order for incriminating evidence to be admissible at trial, the police must provide a suspect with the Miranda warnings prior to obtaining any evidence. In 1966, the Supreme Court found that police officers need to do this in order to safeguard a person’s right not to self incriminate. The Right to Remain Silent – You [...]
If you are stopped on suspicion of driving under the influence in Ohio, do you know your rights? Your actions at the time of your traffic stop could mean the difference between a jail sentence and walking away from this incident with no consequences. You should be prepared in the event that you are pulled over [...]
We are officially into the holiday season, 2018. Many parties to attend from Thanksgiving to the New Year with friends, family and coworkers. If you aren't careful you might end up with a charge of driving under the influence as you drive home from one of the parties. OVI, OUI, DWI, SUI arrests are at their [...]