The legal consequences might seem daunting, but now is not the time to give in to fear. Take a stand and get a Dublin DUI lawyer from Luftman, Heck & Associates for your best shot at turning the case in your favor. Our experienced team of Dublin criminal defense lawyers will be there for you through the whole case, examining every angle to get the outcome that makes the most sense in your life.
A DUI in Ohio is referred to as an OVI — or operating a vehicle under the influence. It’s a severe charge with a weighty impact that can have a ripple effect through your entire life, and the penalties magnify with each repeat offense. The charge could cost you thousands of dollars, you could be sentenced to prison, future landlords and employers might see it as a liability, your car insurance rates will likely jump up and you could lose custody of your child.
Northwest of Ohio, Interstate 270 and U.S. 33 intersect in the City of Dublin. The city hosts thousands of golfers each year that come through for the Memorial Tournament on the PGA Tour. Police officers keep a vigilant eye out for any cars that are moving that show signs of driving erratically. In Delaware County alone, the Ohio State Highway Patrol made over 11,00 traffic stops in during 2014, according to statistics from its website. If you’re showing any signs of impairment when you get pulled over, be prepared to be asked to perform a field sobriety test and possibly be charged with a DUI / OVI.
What to Expect from a Dublin DUI Lawyer
The criminal defense team at Luftman, Heck & Associates knows how fragile you might feel after being charged with a DUI / OVI, and they will approach your case with the compassion you need to rebuild your strength. For nearly 10 years, our lawyers have been tirelessly defending the rights of those charged with an OVI every single day. They’ve been victorious in the courts for hundreds of client, whether that means having charges reduced, or, in some recent cases, having a case dismissed entirely.
If you’re facing an OVI, you’re probably wondering, “Where can I find a DUI defense lawyer near me?” Look no further than Luftman Heck & Associates. Our attorneys have managed to reduce the charges for some clients, avoid jail time for others and, sometimes, get the case dismissed entirely.
What Should You Ask Your Attorney?
When facing DUI charges, there are a number of important questions you should ask your Dublin DUI lawyer, including:
Do I have to appear at my arraignment?
Dublin DUI cases will be filed and scheduled for arraignment within five business days from the date of your arrest. This time frame exists so that you can appeal the administrative license suspension. One of the first things you will be thinking about is how to regain your right to drive. Having an experienced Columbus DUI lawyer fight for your rights and work to reduce the penalties against you can mean the difference between regaining your driving privileges and facing months or years of no license.
If you retain the Columbus OVI attorneys at Luftman, Heck & Associates to represent you on your Dublin DUI case, it is possible for us to appear on your behalf without you having to attend at your initial court date. At that time, we would enter a not guilty plea on your behalf, request the police reports and DVD of your traffic stop, and address the issue of your license suspension. Having us appear on your behalf can mean fewer interruptions to your weekday.
Can I get my license back?
If you hire our Columbus criminal defense team to represent you on the case, we will be looking at the BMV Form 2255 to see if there are any errors that could lead to terminating your license suspension outright.
If there are no errors on the 2255, we are able to request a stay of your license suspension. A stay would give you your full license back while your case is pending. You would be able to go to the BMV and get your plastic license back.
Dublin Mayor’s Court generally permits stays of the administrative license suspension, absent an accident or otherwise nasty fact pattern. If you hire our DUI attorneys, we will be able to appear on your behalf at your arraignment and request the stay for you. You would then be forwarded two copies – one to take to the BMV and one to keep with you at all times while driving during the pendency of your case.
Lastly, if none of those options were available we would look to get you limited driving privileges, so that as soon as you are eligible, you would be permitted to drive for work, school, and medical purposes. Getting driving privileges in Dublin Mayor’s Court is not a difficult process when represented. You would be forwarded a blank copy of the Dublin limited driving privilege entry to fill out and return to us. It would then be filed on your behalf and when granted, you would be forwarded two certified copies – one of which you will keep in your car at all times while driving, and the other as a spare in case you lose the first.
Who is the prosecutor?
Marty Nobile is the prosecuting attorney for Dublin Mayor’s Court DUI cases. He has prosecuted OVI, criminal, traffic, and environmental cases for the City of Columbus and many other Central Ohio municipalities during his time practicing. He will be prosecuting your case from its initiation in arraignment court.
Do I get to see the police reports?
At Luftman, Heck & Associates, we provide our clients with copies of all police reports we receive. We prefer you to take the reports home, review them thoroughly, and then send an email to us with your thoughts about the reports, any inconsistencies, as well as your summary of exactly what happened.
Is there a DVD of my traffic stop?
Most of the Dublin police cars are equipped with a cruiser video system, so absent a malfunction there will be a DVD of your traffic stop. This is often very helpful to us. If the police reports are exaggerated, it will show on the DVD. It will also show whether the roadside field sobriety tests were performed properly on you. Every one of our Dublin DUI lawyers is certified in the administration of the field sobriety tests, and we know the mistakes to look for. You will also receive a copy of the DVD for review.
What outcome can I expect with my Dublin Mayor’s Court OVI case?
If there are evidentiary issues, the prosecutor will potentially offer a reduction of your OVI charge to a lesser offense such as a reckless operation or physical control while in Dublin Mayor’s Court.
However, sometimes it is necessary to apply more pressure if the prosecutor is unwilling to offer a reduction, and it may be advantageous to transfer your case to Franklin County Municipal Court. There, your case will go through Columbus DUI court process.
In Franklin County Municipal Court, we are able to conduct a suppression hearing or jury trial if necessary. After dealing with the Columbus DUI lawyers at Luftman, Heck & Associates for 11 years, the prosecutor knows that we are ready, willing and able to litigate fully on behalf of our clients.
Prior to conducting a suppression hearing or jury trial on your behalf in Franklin County Municipal Court, it is always the goal of our Columbus criminal defense team to continue to negotiate an offer to a reduced charge to give you an option before litigating the case.
Your First Dublin DUI / OVI Offense
An OVI is not a conviction to be taken lightly, and if the prosecution comes at you full force, the punishments will be heavy. Even first-time offenders can face a fine of over $1,000, six months in jail and a three-year license suspension, according to chapter 4511.19 of the Ohio Revised Code.
Your case will probably be sent to the Dublin Mayor’s Court, where we will inspect the evidence against you and decide what plea to enter. With our team, you likely won’t have to even make an appearance at your arraignment. If we think you have a chance for a better outcome by going to trial, we might transfer your case to Franklin County Municipal Court, where the team has defended thousands of clients.
How a DUI Lawyer in Dublin, Ohio Can Help
The Columbus attorneys from Luftman, Heck & Associates know the courts around you like the backs of their hands. Our DUI defense lawyers have spent almost 10 years building experience with the prosecution in each municipality. The law can be a complicated web that ensnares you, but our lawyers know how to navigate the system and get your case the best results possible.
Now is the time to fight back. Get an experienced Dublin DUI lawyer and use every tool available to you to change the outcome of your case the best you can for you. The team at Luftman, Heck & Associates knows the courts, they know the prosecution and the know how to give you the legal representation to get the best results possible from your case.
Need a Dublin DUI Lawyer? Contact Us Today for Help
With the help of an experienced, competent Dublin DUI lawyer, you can be assured of understanding all of your legal rights and options and know that your rights will be protected. The criminal defense team at Luftman, Heck, & Associates protects the rights of people charged with an OVI / DUI on a daily basis. Contact us today at (614) 406-5868.
