First off, your DUI is not a simple matter.  It is complex, but not complicated.

A DUI is a misdemeanor of the first degree.  It is also the most serious of all misdemeanors’ of the first degree.

It is even more serious than some felonies!  Especially, a felony that is eligible for diversion and ultimately expungement. 

Even on a first DUI, you are exposed to the following consequences: mandatory jail, mandatory fine, mandatory license suspension, time where you can’t get driving privileges, up to 5 years probation, random drug/urine screens, fee for and attendance of a 72-hour driver intervention program, additional costs for probation, drug and alcohol treatment, ignition interlock, special red license plates, it can cause you to lose your job, limit your employment options in the future, it is not eligible for expungement, 6 points on license toward a 12-point suspension in any 24 month period, and 3 years for insurance premiums.

It requires diligent examination of police reports, statements, Miranda rights, validity of the stop, detention, and arrest, 911 records, police videos, checks of the calibration of the testing equipment, substantial compliance with standardized field sobriety tests, etc. 

This evidence is rarely prepared fully and hand delivered to the defense attorney in court.  Most times it requires careful evaluation for missing information leaving the diligent lawyer to seek it on his own.

It also requires evaluation of the State’s compliance with the Ohio Revised Code, Ohio Administrative Code, Ohio Department of Health Code, Field Sobriety Testing Standards, etc.

DUI defense is not something any lawyer can just show up and do.  It takes time and dedication to become familiar with the process.  It is always in your best interest to find out how many other areas your lawyer practices in.

Ask your attorney how many Motions to Suppress he has done on DUI cases.  Ask him how many cases he has tried.

All Ohio Lawyers have to maintain 24 hours of continuing education every two years.  You can ask your prospective lawyer how many of those hours were spent reviewing the area of DUI defense.

And remember, if you or a family member has been arrested for DUI in the Cincinnati Area – including: Hamilton, Butler, Warren, Clermont, Montgomery, and Greene Counties - give our office a call at 513.333.0014….24-hours a day, 7 days a week.  Because now is the perfect time to put a team that includes a former police officer and two former prosecutors to work….for you!

The Judge said that he waived your reinstatement fee when he terminated the administrative license suspension (ALS), but the BMV still says that you have to pay it, what happened?

When you are convicted of a DUI first offense in six years and placed under a 6 month to 3 year suspension it will automatically terminate the administrative suspension.  It will also cancel the the required fee. 

The fee for a DUI suspension; however, is also $475 if you were convicted on or after 9/30/08.  The only time that waiving the ALS fee is a benefit is when we are able to beat the DUI or it is amended to something other than an OVI.

And remember, if you or a family member has been arrested for DUI in the Greater Cincinnati- and that includes Butler, Warren and Clermont Counties as well – give our office a call at 513.333.0014….24-hours a day, 7 days a week.  Because now is the perfect time to put a team that includes a former police officer and two former prosecutors to work….for you.

It has been said that a DUI will cost the average defendant $5,000 to $10,000.  This is not just the lawyer’s fee.

Additional costs are numerous.  There can include the following: reinstatement fees, fines, court costs, medical experts, forensic experts, transcripts, private investigators, medical records, personal or vehicle bond (which your attorney cannot post for you in Ohio), alcohol and drug assessment, treatment, independent drug and alcohol tests, accident reconstructionist, polygraph exam, etc.

These additional expenses are not paid by your attorney unless you agree otherwise.  The fees can range from a few hundred dollars for a transcript to over several thousand dollars for expert analysis and testimony. 

Discuss this matter with your attorney when discussing the representation fee.  This is also a good time to talk about whether any of these expenses are likely in your case.

Always ask your attorney to discuss the benefit vs. the risk, quote you a fee, and obtain your consent before billing you for any additional services.  Lastly, discuss whether the firm will mark up the cost of any outside services.

If you or a family member have been arrested for DUI in the Greater Cincinnati area and need assistance with an upcoming court appearance in Butler, Clermont, Hamilton or Warren Counties, give us a call at our 24 Hour Emergency Number at 513.333.0014 for affordable and professional help.

A DUI is more serious than if you were charged with felony cocaine possession in some counties.  For example, most defendants go to a special Drug Court in Hamilton County, Ohio. 

People attending Drug Court are eligible for straight probation and treatment.  The felony is then expungeable if they complete the treatment program!

If convicted of a DUI in Ohio you face mandatory jail, fines, court costs, and license suspension.  There will be a time called a “hard suspension” where the Judge is not able to grant you limited driving privileges.

A DUI in Ohio is a Misdemeanor of the first degree.  A Judge can put you on probation for up to five years.  A condition of that probation can be meetings with a probation officer who can order random drug and urine screens.

Most first time offenders will chose to replace the three days in jail with a state approved 72-hour driver intervention program.  Additional drug and alcohol treatment can be ordered as recommended by probation.

The court can order driving privileges with the restriction of ignition interlock and/or special red license plates.

A DUI conviction can also cause you to lose your job and limit your employment options in the future.  It is specifically not eligible for expungement.

It will add 6 points on license for two years for 12 point suspension purposes, and cost an estimated $5,000 – $10,000 in increased insurance premiums over the next five years.

If you or a family member have been arrested on a DUI in the Greater Cincinnati area and need assistance with an upcoming court appearance in Butler, Clermont, Hamilton or Warren Counties, give us a call at our 24 Hour Emergency Number at 513.333.0014 for affordable and professional help.