How To Deal With an OVI in Dublin Mayor’s Court

Ohio is the only state with Mayor’s Courts, in which the mayor or magistrate hears cases. Therefore, if you’ve been arrested for driving under the influence in Dublin, Ohio, your case may wind up in Dublin Mayor’s Court as opposed to Franklin County Municipal Court.

If you’re confused about where your case will be heard and how you can fight for the best outcome, we can help. As experienced DUI defense attorneys in the area, Luftman, Heck & Associates knows the Mayors Court system and what it takes to deal with OVIs the right way.

Call LHA at (614) 224-1500 to schedule a free consultation.

An Overview of Dublin Mayor’s Court

Dublin Mayor’s Court is located at 6565 Commerce Pkwy. in Dublin, Ohio. Court convenes on the second, third, and fourth Tuesdays of the month at 5 p.m. Your specific time will be listed on your citation. You can also view information about your case online at the Mayor’s Court website.

Someone accused of a crime can always ask to have their case transferred to Franklin County Municipal Court. However, there are benefits associated with being in Mayor’s Court. To start, you can appeal a decision from the Mayor’s Court in the municipal court. This essentially restarts your case at the municipal level, so you don’t lose anything for having tried Mayor’s Court.

Since the Mayor’s Court is presided over by the mayor or magistrate, your attorney may have in-depth knowledge about how they typically handle OVI cases and what outcome you can expect. Your attorney may have more freedom to negotiate in Mayor’s Court, particularly if you do not have a lengthy criminal history or anything that would indicate that you’re likely to make the same mistake again.

The OVI Process in Dublin Mayor’s Court

When you are charged with OVI, your license is suspended immediately. It is suspended for 90 days if you fail a BAC test. You may have the chance to ask for limited driving privileges if you need your car to get to and from work or school. In rare situations, you may ask for a stay on your license suspension.

Penalties for an OVI conviction in the Mayor’s Court are the same for those tried in municipal courts. You could pay between $375 and $1,075 in fines and spend up to six months in jail for your first offense. In some cases, you will be required to have yellow plates on your car. If you receive unlimited driving privileges, you must have an ignition interlock system on your vehicle.

Mayor’s Court cases are often resolved through negotiation, as litigation is typically reserved for the municipal court system. If your attorney cannot negotiate a plea deal that works for you, they may choose to have the case moved to the municipal court.

When Should You Transfer OVIs To Franklin County?

In some circumstances, it makes sense to ask for your case to be heard in Franklin County Municipal Court. To start, if you have an OVI within the last 10 years, your case will automatically go to the municipal court system. Additionally, if your attorney believes a jury trial would yield a better outcome, municipal court is a better option.

If negotiations aren’t going as planned or you feel like you aren’t being treated fairly in Mayor’s Court, asking to have your case in the Franklin County Municipal Court may also be a better option.

Why You Need an Attorney

Mayor’s Court and municipal court system’s nuances are challenging to understand if you don’t work within the legal system. Your attorney will be able to look at the details of your case, figure out which court is best for your unique situation, and devise a plan for negotiating a plea deal or getting charges dropped.

Without an attorney, you are unlikely to secure a positive outcome. Both types of courts come down hard on OVI offenders, but your attorney can look for errors in their handling of your case and help you get the best outcome possible.

Contact LHA Today To Get Started

The sooner you contact us for help with your OVI case, the sooner we can begin fighting for you. This can spare you time in custody, preserve your ability to drive, or keep an OVI conviction from your record.

Schedule a free consult today by calling LHA Dublin at (614) 224-1500 or fill out our online contact form. We’ll go over what happened, explain your options, and how we can help.