OVI / DUI Lawyer For New Albany, Ohio

OVI / DUI In New Albany, Ohio
The Dominy Law Firm has lawyers for New Albany DUI / OVI cases. Whether you have an OVI / DUI case in New Albany or you are a resident of New Albany with a DUI/OVI somewhere else in central Ohio, you are probably wondering what to do now. The best thing to do now is get more information about your situation. This website is a good place to learn more about the possible sentences, the court process, and hiring a lawyer. Another place to get information is the book ‘Ohio DUI / OVI Guide’. The book is for sale through online bookstores, and you can also download the e-book for free.

The City of New Albany, Ohio is located in two counties. That means a DUI / OVI case can be sent to one of three different courts. Cases are filed in either the New Albany Mayor’s Court, the Franklin County Municipal Court, or the Licking County Municipal Court. The location of the alleged offense, the arresting law enforcement agency, and the defendant’s driving record determine where the case is filed. The law enforcement agencies with a presence in the New Albany area include the New Albany Police Department, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, and the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

Possible Sentences For Ohio DUI / OVI
For Ohio DUI/OVI convictions, there are minimum mandatory penalties and maximum possible penalties. For a first offense, the minimum sentence includes at least three days in jail (or a driver intervention program), a one-year driver license suspension, and a $375 fine. The maximum sentence for a first offense may be up to 180 days in jail, a three-year license suspension, and a $1,075 fine. The sentence may also include probation, restricted (yellow) license plates, and an ignition interlock device. In addition, the minimum and maximum possible sentences increase for multiple offenses within the “lookback periods” of ten years and 20 years. The possible punishments are summarized on this website’s ‘DUI/OVI Penalties’ page.

Going To Court For A New Albany DUI/OVI Case
The first court appearance occurs quickly: within five business days of when the traffic ticket is issued. If the case is sent to the New Albany Mayor’s Court, the first court appearance is an Administrative License Suspension (A.L.S.) hearing. If the case is filed in a municipal court, the first hearing is an arraignment, and the A.L.S. is one topic addressed at the arraignment. There is ordinarily no plea bargaining at the arraignment. Instead, you are given the choices of pleading not guilty, pleading no contest, or pleading guilty.

If your case is filed in the New Albany Mayor’s Court, you have the option of transferring the case to the municipal court with jurisdiction for your case. The mayor’s court is not considered a ‘court of record’, and you have the right to have your case held in a ‘court of record’. Transferring a mayor’s court case to a municipal court is an important decision, so you may want the assistance of counsel before making that decision.

Wherever you go to court, you should think through your options before the first court appearance. You’ll need to answer three questions: (1) will you plead guilty to OVI or plead not guilty; (2) are you going to hire an attorney; and (3) which attorney are you going to hire. If you choose to hire an attorney, you’ll want to research attorneys so you can find a lawyer with the expertise and experience to effectively represent you.

DUI/OVI Lawyers Serving New Albany, Ohio
The Dominy Law Firm attorneys have expertise and experience in DUI/OVI cases. The attorneys practice primarily DUI/OVI defense, regularly handle New Albany cases, and only represent a limited number of clients.

For more information about the firm’s attorneys, please see the attorney profiles. You may also want to research the firm’s client reviews and case results. If you have a DUI/OVI case in New Albany, or if you are a New Albany resident with a DUI/OVI case elsewhere in central Ohio, you can arrange a free initial consultation by completing a CONTACT FORM or by calling the Dominy Law Firm at 614-717-1177.