OVI / DUI Lawyer For Obetz, Ohio

DUI/OVI In Obetz, Ohio
The Dominy Law Firm has attorneys for Obetz, Ohio DUI / OVI cases. Obetz is a village in Franklin County on the southeast side of Columbus. Obetz has its own law enforcement agency: the Obetz Police Department. The Obetz area is also patrolled by other law enforcement agencies such as the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and the Ohio State Highway Patrol. DUI/OVI cases initiated in this area are filed in one of two courts: the Obetz Mayor’s Court and the Franklin County Municipal Court.

If you are charged with a DUI/OV in Obetz, Ohio, you may be wondering about the short-term and long-term consequences of a DUI/OVI conviction. You may also be wondering about the court process, and whether you should plead guilty and resolve the case quickly or if it would be better to plead not guilty and contest the charges. These topics are covered in the pages of this website. These topics and more are also discussed in the book ‘Ohio DUI / OVI Guide’. The paperback version of that book is sold in bookstores online, and you can download the free e-book version on this website.

Consequences For DUI/OVI In Obetz
DUI/OVI convictions have short-term and long-term consequences. First, there is the sentence imposed by the court, which depends on the driver’s prior record within the relevant “lookback periods” of ten and 20 years, as well as the result of chemical tests of blood, urine, or breath. For example, a first offense carries a jail sentence of three days to 180 days, a license suspension of one year to three years, a fine of $375 to $1,075, and up to five years of probation. The long-term consequences of a DUI/OVI conviction include increased insurance premiums, as well as effects on employment, military, education, professional licensing, and immigration. A DUI/OVI conviction is a permanent record which cannot be sealed or expunged.

The Court Process And What Plea To Enter
At the first court appearance, the arraignment, you will be asked to enter a plea: guilty, no contest, or not guilty. At the arraignment, you can also challenge the Administrative License Suspension (A.L.S.). After the arraignment, there will be a pretrial hearing: an opportunity to discuss the case with the prosecuting attorney and negotiate and agreed resolution. If the case is not finished at the pretrial hearing, there may be a motion hearing for the Court to decide what evidence is admissible. If an agreement ultimately is not reached, there is a trial for a jury or judge to decide whether your guilt is proven. If you are found guilty, or if you plead guilty, there will be a sentence hearing for the judge to determine the sentence.

You should consider the short-term and long-term consequences of a DUI/OVI before going to the first court appearance. At the first court appearance, you be given the options of pleading guilty, pleading no contest, and pleading not guilty. If you plead guilty, the case will be finished quickly, and you will not have a meaningful opportunity to review the evidence, evaluate the case, and negotiate with the prosecution. If you would like to be able to do those things and are hoping to avoid a DUI/OVI on your permanent record, you should plead not guilty at the first court appearance. You should also consider hiring an attorney with a practice focused on DUI/OVI defense.

DUI/OVI Attorneys Serving Obetz, Ohio
The Dominy Law Firm is focused on DUI/OVI defense, and approximately 80% of the clients represented by the firm are charged with DUI/OVI. As the firm’s primary practice area is DUI/OVI, the attorneys have worked diligently to become proficient at DUI/OVI defense.

For additional information about the firm’s attorneys, please see the attorney profiles. You may also want to check out the case results page and the client reviews page. If you would like to schedule a free phone consultation with the Dominy Law Firm, please call 614-717-1177 or complete this CONTACT FORM.