OVI / DUI Lawyer For Westerville, Ohio

DUI/OVI In Westerville, Ohio
We are Lawyers for Westerville DUI / OVI cases. Were you charged with DUI/OVI in Westerville, Ohio? Or are you from Westerville and charged with DUI/OVI in another central Ohio court? If so, you may have questions. Why was my license immediately suspended? What evidence will be used against me? Is there any way to resolve my case without an OVI conviction?

Whether you are from Westerville or you have a DUI/OVI case in Westerville, your first step should be to educate yourself. Learn as much as you can about the charges, the potential consequences, the evidence, the defenses, and lawyers. This website will help you do that. Another way to learn about these topics is the book ‘Ohio DUI / OVI Guide’. By downloading the e-book, you’ll have access to valuable information applicable to DUI/OVI cases in central Ohio, including Westerville.

Law Enforcement In Westerville, Ohio
The Westerville area is patrolled by at least four law enforcement agencies: Westerville Police Department, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, and Delaware County Sheriff’s Office. When one of those agencies makes a DUI/OVI arrest, the case may be filed in one of three places: (1) the Westerville Mayor’s Court; (2) the Franklin County Municipal Court; or (3) the Delaware County Municipal Court. Which court is chosen depends on the law enforcement agency, and the location of the alleged offense, and the record of the person charged.

Evidence In Westerville OVI Cases
The evidence in OVI cases comes primarily from police officers and chemical tests for alcohol and drugs. Officers in Ohio go through training for conducting DUI/OVI investigations. During that training, they learn to spot clues that a driver is under the influence. If an officer believes a driver is under the influence, field sobriety tests are administered, the driver is arrested, and a blood/urine/breath test is requested. In court, the prosecution uses the officers’ testimony and the blood/urine/breath test to prove the driver was under the influence or ‘over the limit’.

Challenging OVI Charges In Westerville
Before going to court, you should decide if you are going to plead guilty or challenge the OVI charge. Some folks seem to think if they were charged, there is nothing that can be done about it, so they just plead guilty quickly. If you plead guilty at the first court appearance, you will never know the strength of the case against you. If you plead not guilty, you will have the opportunity to see the prosecution’s evidence, determine what evidence will be admissible, and evaluate any available defenses. Contesting charges can often lead to a better case result than a quick guilty plea.

As you will have to decide what plea to enter within a few days after the ticket is issued, it is best to give thought to your options before going to court. Before that first court appearance, you’ll want to decide if you’re going to plead guilty to the DUI/OVI or contest the charge. You’ll also want to decide if you are going to represent yourself or hire an attorney.

Attorney For DUI/OVI Cases In Westerville, Ohio
If you decide to contest the DUI/OVI charge, it’s beneficial to hire a good lawyer. There are many lawyers who handle DUI/OVI cases in Westerville, but there is a small category of those lawyers who have developed expertise in DUI/OVI defense. The attorneys at the Dominy Law Firm are in that small category. Shawn Dominy was named one of the “Top 50 Lawyers in Columbus, Ohio” by Columbus Monthly Magazine, and Bryan Hawkins was named one of the “Top 10 Criminal Defense Lawyers Under 40 In Ohio”. Both have studied topics specific to DUI/OVI defense and continuously improve their litigation skills.

The Dominy Law Firm regularly handles cases in Westerville and frequently represents Westerville residents with DUI/OVI charges in central Ohio courts. If you are from Westerville or you have a case in Westerville and you would like a free phone consultation with the Dominy Law Firm about your DUI/OVI case, please complete this CONTACT FORM or call 614-717-1177.