Vehicular Homicide Cases In Columbus And Central Ohio
Vehicular Homicide in Ohio is an unintentional offense. Almost nobody gets in their vehicle with the intent to commit this crime. However, Vehicular Homicide is considered a ‘strict liability’ offense, so no ‘intent’ is required. The irony is the punishments for Vehicular Homicide are more severe than many offenses which require ‘intent’. In fact, Aggravated Vehicular Homicide is the most serious traffic offense in Ohio and carries the longest prison terms. For a summary of the various types of Vehicular Homicide and the corresponding sentences, please see the Vehicular Homicide Offenses And Penalties page.
If you are being charged with Vehicular Homicide, the first thing you should do is educate yourself about your circumstances. You want to learn the elements of the offense, the possible sentences, the possible defenses, and the court process. You should also thoroughly research lawyers before making a hiring decision. A good resource on these topics is the Ohio Vehicular Homicide Guide, which can be purchased online or downloaded for free on the Dominy Law Firm website.
Evidence In Vehicular Homicide Cases
The evidence in these cases is different than the evidence in most other types of criminal cases. In nearly every vehicular homicide prosecution, the evidence includes accident investigation and accident reconstruction, as well as reports from a coroner and a forensic pathologist. In many vehicular homicide prosecutions, the evidence also includes alcohol and/or drug testing reports, as well as the underlying records for the instruments and people who generated the reports. In some vehicular homicide prosecutions, the evidence includes the results of field sobriety tests and drug recognition evaluations. It is important to hire a lawyer who understands the various types of evidence introduced in these cases. For charged of Aggravated Vehicular Homicide based on committing the offense of OVI, it is beneficial to hire a lawyer with expertise in OVI defense.
Attorneys For Vehicular Homicide Defense In Columbus And Central Ohio
The lawyer who represents you can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case. The Dominy Law Firm has been practicing criminal defense in Ohio since 1997, and the focus of the practice is defending clients charged with DUI/OVI and serious vehicular crimes. Our lawyers understand the evidence used in these cases, and our lawyers have specialized training specific to DUI/OVI issues. That training includes courses in field sobriety testing, breath testing, and blood/urine testing. Our attorneys authored and edited the Ohio Vehicular Homicide Guide and are often invited to teach other lawyers in continuing education seminars. Our firm has the expertise and experience necessary to effectively defend clients charged with Vehicular Homicide.
Strategies For Defending Ohio Vehicular Homicide Charges
Defending charges of Vehicular homicide requires an effective strategy. The defense should begin at the investigation stage. At that stage, we obtain a client history, review the preliminary accident report, take photographs and video, interview witnesses, and consult experts for issues such as accident reconstruction, medical evidence, and toxicology.
During the court process, we address bail and bond conditions, enter a plea of not guilty, and obtain and review all the evidence the prosecutor intends to introduce. That evidence will include police reports, witness statements, accident reconstruction reports, alcohol/drug influence reports, medical records, chemical testing reports, and videos. Based on the evidence, we then research legal issues and file motions to suppress evidence. For cases involving an allegation of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, we often challenge the field sobriety tests, the drug recognition evaluation, and the breath test, blood test, or urine test which determined the concentration of alcohol and/or drugs.
We then prepare for a trial, outlining: (1) why the evidence does not prove you were driving under the influence, recklessly, or negligently; and/or (2) why your driving was not the cause of the other person’s death. Although most cases do not go to trial, we prepare every case as though it will. Because most cases do not involve a jury trial, we simultaneously prepare a client history and presentation of circumstances that mitigate punishment.
Representation For Vehicular Homicide In Columbus And Central Ohio
As a law firm serving Columbus Ohio and the central Ohio area since 1997, we have helped many clients with Vehicular Homicide charges in Franklin County, Delaware County, and other central Ohio courts. We charge flat fees for representation in Vehicular Homicide cases, so you will know the total fee before you hire us. If you would like to discuss your Vehicular Homicide case and how we can help, please submit a CONTACT FORM or call us at 614-717-1177 to arrange a free initial consultation.