You will need a lawyer if you are caught operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or
drugs. It is a violation of Ohio Revised Code 4511.19
A DUI charge is a very difficult one for a person to deal with. This can be because it is the first criminal charge they have ever had, and other times it is just because of the severity of the consequences.
A person who is convicted of a DUI can face large fees and penalties, a loss of driving privileges, and may be sentenced to serve jail time. With such heavy consequences it is imperative that anyone charged with a DUI consult an attorney as quickly as possible after being charged. From the moment of your arrest your situation becomes fragile and can become even worse without your even knowing it.
Sometimes it is possible to drop your DUI charge to a lesser offense. It is often even possible for you to be driving while awaiting your trial if we are able to do the right things quickly.
I can tell you that as a prosecutor I always knew when the state was going to lose their case in a DUI charge, and I also knew why. An experienced DUI lawyer will know which arguments work and which ones do not. If your DUI attorney can get your charge reduced from a felony to a misdemeanor, it is considered a major win. In fact, he may even be able to get your case dismissed, which should be his ultimate goal.
Everyone makes mistakes. If you have been charged with a DUI your future is at risk. Contact an experienced DUI defense attorney right away.
Injury or death caused by a drunk driver is perhaps the most upsetting, anger-provoking of all kinds of personal injury cases. The thought of an innocent victim suffering serious or fatal injury at the hands of an irresponsible individual can evoke outrage among members of the community. Most law firms will aggressively pursue claims against irresponsible drinkers and the bars, nightclubs, and restaurants that improperly serve them. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, drunk drivers caused more than 1.2 million injuries and deaths in 1998. Although the law can never replace a loved one, it does provide means of recovery for victims. Victims can sue the drunk driver under the general laws of negligence, but often the drunk driver is either uninsured or underinsured and has few, if any, assets to support a lawsuit.
Even if there is no way to pursue recovery against the drunk driver, there may be a way to pursue recovery against the person who provided the alcoholic beverage to the drunk driver. People who serve alcoholic beverages may be liable under Ohio law for damages resulting from the consumption of alcoholic beverages. O.R.C. Ann. §§ 4301.22, 4301.69. Liability may be imposed either under specific state laws ("dram shop acts") or under the general law of negligence. Dram shop acts ("dram" was once a common term for "liquor") are laws that impose liability for negligence on the sellers of alcoholic beverages for sales to persons under the legal drinking age or to those who are obviously intoxicated. O.R.C. Ann. §§ 4301.22, 4301.69. A liquor store, bar or restaurant may be responsible for any damages caused by a person's drinking if it sold alcohol to an underage person or to a person who was obviously intoxicated. O.R.C. Ann. §§ 4301.22, 4301.69.
Liability can attach to "social hosts" as well. A social host is an individual who serves alcoholic beverages in a social setting, such as a home or a party, or as where an employer serves alcoholic beverages at a company. The social host is not required to make sure that no one is consuming more alcohol than they can handle unless the host can reasonably be aware of a problem and prevent it. In Ohio, however the social host can be held liable. Huston v. Konieczny, 52 Ohio St. 3d 214, 556 N.E. 2d 505 (1990).
In all drunk driver cases it is essential that measures be taken promptly to preserve evidence, investigate the accident in question, and to enable physicians or other expert witnesses to thoroughly evaluate any injuries. If you or a loved one is a victim of an automobile accident, call an attorney. The initial consultation is usually free of charge, and if the attorney agrees to accept your case, the attorney will generally work on a contingent fee basis , which means they get paid only if there is a monetary award or recovery of funds from the lawsuit. Don’t delay! You may have a valid claim and be entitled to compensation for your injuries, but a lawsuit must be filed before the statute of limitations expires.
Inside The Court - DUI Law