OVI / DUI Lawyer For Marion, Ohio

DUI/OVI In Marion, Ohio
We are lawyers for Marion, Ohio DUI / OVI cases, and we’re providing this page to help those accused of DUI / OVI in Marion. You may also find this page helpful if you are from Marion and have a DUI/OVI in another central Ohio court.

Marion is a city of about 37,000 people and is one of the older cities in Ohio. Marion has a city police department, and the area is also patrolled by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and the Ohio State Highway Patrol. There are a fair number of DUI/OVI cases in the Marion area, and most of them are filed in the Marion Municipal Court.

You likely have a lot of questions if you were charged with DUI/OVI in Marion. What evidence does the prosecutor use? What is the possible sentence? What is the court process? Should I plead guilty or not guilty? Questions like those are addressed in the DUI/OVI pages of this website. Those types of issues are also discussed in the book ‘Ohio DUI / OVI Guide’. That book is available in bookstores, and you can also download the free e-book here. It’s a quick read and a good way to learn about DUI/OVI cases.

Evidence In Marion DUI / OVI Cases
In these cases, there are three general types of evidence. First, there is eyewitness testimony from police officers and, less often, from civilian witnesses. Second, there is audio/video evidence such as cruiser videos, body camera videos, and 911 calls. Third, there is chemical testing to determine the level of alcohol and/or drugs in a person’s blood, urine or breath.

For breath testing, some agencies in Marion are using the Intoxilyzer 8000. Although the machine has a history of challenges, they continue to prosecute OVI / DUI cases in Marion County involving the Intoxilyzer 8000. The Dominy Law Firm has experience with the Intoxilyzer 8000. Shawn Dominy was involved in the case in which the Intoxilyzer 8000 was found to be too unreliable to be used as evidence. Both Shawn Dominy and Bryan Hawkins are involved in new litigation involving this breath-testing machine.

Sentencing For DUI/OVI In Marion, Ohio
One of the most frequent questions about DUI/OVI is “what is the sentence?” The reality is there is not one sentence: there is a range of possible penalties, and the penalties increase with multiple convictions. For example, the sentence for a first offense DUI/OVI carries a minimum of three days in jail, but a judge can impose up to six months in jail. Similarly, a first offense conviction involves a minimum license suspension of one year, but the license suspension can be up to three years. For a summary of all the possible punishments, please see the ‘DUI/OVI Penalties’ page.

The DUI/OVI Court Process
Before getting to the sentencing phase, there may be multiple court appearances. The first one, the arraignment, is held within five days of the arrest. Prosecutors ordinarily do not negotiate much at this stage, so your options are pleading guilty, pleading no contest, or pleading not guilty. If you plead not guilty, the next phase is the pretrial hearing; a time for the prosecution and defense to discuss the case and negotiate. Following the pretrial, there may be a motion hearing for the judge to make decisions on contested legal issues. If the case is not resolved, the next phase is a trial for a jury or judge to decide whether the prosecutor proves the defendant’s guilt. Only a small percentage of cases go to trial.

Although a small percentage of cases go to trial, trial experience is an important trait to look for when researching attorneys. Preparing for trial and demonstrating to the prosecution the possibility of a not guilty verdict is an important strategy for achieving favorable plea agreements. In addition to trial experience, another trait to look for is expertise in DUI/OVI defense.

Lawyers For Marion, Ohio DUI/OVI Cases
The attorneys at the Dominy Law Firm have trial experience and expertise in DUI/OVI defense. The firm only practices criminal defense, with a focus on DUI/OVI cases. If you have a DUI / OVI in Marion, or if you’re a Marion resident with a DUI / OVI in another central Ohio court, the Dominy Law Firm can help (check out our case results and client reviews). To schedule a free phone consultation, call 614-717-1177 or submit a CONTACT FORM, and a receptionist will contact you to schedule the appointment.