dui charge in ohio how to play at your first arraignment with no attorney

by Abe Stiedemann 8 min read

What happens at an arraignment in a DUI case?

Sep 01, 2017 · More than one charge can be made at DUI arraignment. When that happens, the judge will offer to read each. The judge may also ask the prosecutor to discuss in general terms the evidence police have collected to support bringing the charges. No actual testimony or exhibits are made at this time, however. The Defendant Will Be Asked to Enter a Plea

Should I plea bargain or take my DUI case to trial?

Dec 12, 2014 · After you are charged, you should have an opportunity to contact a DUI attorney in Central Ohio. DUI lawyers encourage all those charged to exercise their right to representation. Having an attorney at the beginning of the OVI/ DUI case will be beneficial in the long run, as your attorney will have extended time to advocate for and preserve your rights. Arraignment

What should I do before my DUI arraignment?

The Ticket And Administrative License Suspension Report. To charge you with DUI / OVI (in Ohio, it’s called OVI), an officer must issue a traffic ticket. The ticket must give you notice of the exact offenses with which you are charged, and it should contain the corresponding code sections you are accused of violating.

What happens at my first court date after a DUI?

a minimum three days in jail or mandatory attendance at a three-day "Drivers Intervention Program". up to 5 years of probation. a fine from $375 to $1,075 and related fees (get a better idea of how much a first DUI will cost you), and. a court …

How do you beat a DUI charge in Ohio?

How to Beat an Ohio DUI Charge?Plead Not-Guilty. Any other plea will give up your right to challenge the DUI charge.Request a pretrial. ... Request discovery. ... Study the discovery responses for areas to challenge. ... Move to suppress evidence.Prepare for trial if needed.

What happens at an arraignment in Ohio?

Your first court appearance is called an arraignment. During the arraignment, the judge or magistrate will explain the charges against you and ask that you enter a plea. You have three plea options: Not guilty—The prosecutor's charges are untrue, and you did not commit the crime.

How likely is jail time for first DUI in Ohio?

Your First Ohio DUI is a Misdemeanor Your first OVI / DUI will most likely be charged as a first-degree misdemeanor. The penalties of a conviction mean a minimum of 3 days and a maximum of 6 months in jail and paying between $375 and $1,075 in fines.

How long does a DUI case take in Ohio?

If a trial does begin, it will usually take at least 4-5 days to finish. At least one day to pick a jury, at least one day to present the evidence, at least one day to present closing arguments, and, most times, juries need more than one day to decide a case.

Can charges be dropped at an arraignment hearing?

Although it is rare, it is possible for charges to be dropped at an arraignment. This may happen through a probable cause hearing, which typically occur during an arraignment. A probable cause hearing is made after a criminal defense lawyer Los Angeles, CA requests a judge to hold this type of hearing.Sep 2, 2021

How do you beat obstruction of justice charge in Ohio?

The key to beating an obstruction of justice charge is to present a defense in your support with evidence and purpose. Thus, it is important to contact an experience criminal defense attorney when faced with an Obstruction charge.Jul 6, 2020

Will I go to jail for first OVI in Ohio?

A first OVI offense is a first-degree misdemeanor. A conviction will result in a mandatory jail sentence of at least three days (72 consecutive hours), and the maximum prison sentence is six months.Jun 11, 2021

Is a DUI in Ohio a felony?

Under certain circumstances, DUI / OVI in Ohio is classified as a felony offense. If you are convicted of four DUI / OVI offenses within ten years, or if you are convicted of six DUI / OVI charges in 20 years, the offense is classified as a felony.

Can you go to jail for driving under suspension in Ohio?

In Ohio, driving under suspension is typically a first-degree misdemeanor offense that carries up to six months in jail. You also face up to $1,000 in fines.Mar 26, 2020

What happens at a sentencing hearing in Ohio?

If you enter a plea of Guilty, or if you are found guilty in a trial, a sentence hearing is held for the judge to decide your sentence. At the sentence hearing, the prosecuting attorney will make a statement, any victims may make a statement, and you can make a statement as well. The judge then imposes a sentence.

What happens when you go to court for drink driving?

it is likely you will receive a custodial sentence and go to prison as a result of being convicted. it is likely you will lose your job/livelihood as a result of being convicted. it is likely that your reputation will be greatly damaged as a result of being convicted.

How long is probation for OVI in Ohio?

up to 5 years of probation.

What happens at a DUI arraignment?

At your DUI arraignment, the charges against you will be read to you, including your charge for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs as well as any possible additional charges such as if you caused a car accident or injured another person.

How long does it take to get arraigned in Ohio?

The Supreme Court of Ohio requires that you be arraigned within five days of your arrest. If you remain in police custody, your arraignment hearing will probably occur the next day after your arrest. Generally, the only exceptions will be if you were injured or otherwise incapacitated.

Do you have to be present at an arraignment?

If you have hired an attorney, you may not actually have to be present at your arraignment because your lawyer may be able to enter your plea for you. However, your attorney will discuss the decision of whether to be present at your arraignment with you.

How long does it take to get a speedy trial?

You have a constitutional right to a speedy trial, which means that the judge will usually set your initial trial date no later than 90 days after your arraignment unless you waive the right to a speedy trial. You can waive this right through mutual agreement with the prosecution, typically for unforeseen emergencies.

Should I appear in court for a DUI in Ohio?

You should never appear in a court hearing or proceeding without qualified legal representation. If you have been arrested and charged with a DUI/OVI offense in Ohio, it is critical that you speak to an experienced DUI defense attorney as soon as possible. While you will likely be assigned a public defender for your arraignment if you have not yet hired your own attorney, you should hire an attorney who is experienced and qualified to defend you against DUI charges in Ohio. You will be facing some very negative consequences that will impact your life. Some of these consequences include having to pay fines, jail or alcohol program time, have your driver’s license suspended, your vehicle potentially forfeited, difficulty finding or holding onto a job, potential treatment programs and costs, and other negative consequences. It is highly advisable that you speak to an experienced Ohio DUI defense attorney before your arraignment so that your attorney can attend with you. The criminal process for DUI offenses can be very complicated and is governed by strict procedural rules which make it imperative to have a qualified attorney represent you through this process. This is why you should use the time between your arrest and when you are actually arraigned to find an experienced defense attorney to advise you of your options and represent you at your arraignment and moving forward through the criminal justice process.

Arrest

An officer will likely stop you at a traffic stop, or at a roadblock and administer sobriety tests. These tests are meant to bolster the suspicion that you are impaired. If the officer believes that you are driving under the influence, he or she will place you under arrest and take you to the station for processing.

Arraignment

After you are arrested, charged, and have called your attorney, you will come before a judge or magistrate for your arraignment. An arraignment will likely be your first appearance in front of a judge or magistrate. At this point in the process, you will hear the charges against you in addition to other matters.

Pretrial and Motions Hearings

Additional proceedings such as pretrial hearings and motions hearings will follow. At these hearings, you and your attorney will be able to present evidence to contest the charges before you. The strengths and weaknesses of each side of the case may be further revealed.

Trial

If the prosecutor has gathered enough evidence to present to a trial judge or jury, you will have a hearing date set and told to appear on that date. Depending on the penalties, you and your attorney may wish to have a jury trial.

Sentencing and Beyond

If you have entered a plea at some point during the process, or are convicted of a DUI, you will then be sentenced. Your sentence will vary depending on your agreement and the charges associated with the DUI.

What is a summons in Ohio?

When you are issued a ticket, the ticket will contain a summons. A summons is an order for you to report to a particular court at a specific time. The Court will receive a copy of your summons. If you fail to appear, the Court can issue a warrant for your arrest. The Arraignment For Ohio DUI / OVI Cases.

How long is a DUI in jail?

For example, on a first offense, the jail sentence ranges from three days to six months, and the license suspension ranges from six months to three years.

What happens at a DUI hearing?

The Sentence Hearing For DUI / OVI Cases. If you plead guilty to, or are found guilty of, OVI or a lesser offense, the judge will hold a sentence hearing. During the sentence hearing, the judge hears from the prosecutor, the defense attorney, and the defendant. The judge then decides what sentence to impose .

What are the penalties for OVI in Ohio?

Penalties for a first OVI conviction in Ohio vary by degree of intoxication. For a "low level" OVI (BAC of less than .17%) you can be sentenced to: 1 a minimum three days in jail or mandatory attendance at a three-day "Drivers Intervention Program" 2 up to 5 years of probation 3 a fine from $375 to $1,075 and related fees (get a better idea of how much a first DUI will cost you), and 4 a court-imposed license suspension of one to three years.

What is OVI in Ohio?

In Ohio, DUI (driving under the influence) is generally referred to as "OVI" (operating a vehicle under the influence). You can be convicted of OVI if you operate a vehicle:

How long is an OVI in Ohio?

For a "low level" OVI (BAC of less than .17%) you can be sentenced to: a court-imposed license suspension of one to three years. You may be able to avoid some portion of the jail term and license suspension by agreeing to use an IID.

What to do if you are arrested for DUI in Ohio?

If you've been arrested or charged for OVI, you should contact an experienced criminal defense attorney in your area who can help you decide how best to proceed with your case .

How long does it take to get your license suspended?

If your blood test shows a BAC of .08% or more, or your urine test shows an alcohol concentration of .110 or more, the BMV will suspend your license for one to three years.

Is OVI a first offense?

For most purposes, an OVI is considered a first offense if you haven't had an OVI in the past ten years.

How to get an attorney for a felony?

If you do not have an attorney at the time of your arraignment, you will have to make a personal appearance at your arraignment and the Court will give you several options:- 1 You may ask for a continuance to give you time to find your own attorney. 2 You may be able to apply for a public defender at the arraignment if you are found to qualify financially. 3 You may choose to represent yourself.

What is an arraignment in court?

An Arraignment is a fancy word for your first court date in front of a judge. If you were arrested for a DUI, you are normally given a ticket by the police officer and at the bottom of the ticket. is a court date and the address of the court you have to go to on this date. This court date listed on the bottom of your ticket is your arraignment ...

What to do if you can't afford to hire an attorney?

If you cannot afford to hire your own attorney you can ask for the help of the Public Defender to help you with your case at this first court date or arraignment. The prosecutor may make an offer to resolve your case. This is called a plea bargain. See below for more details. You will be asked by the Judge to enter a plea of guilty, ...

What happens if you plead not guilty?

If you are unsure what to plea, the Judge will usually enter a plea of “not guilty” on your behalf. The Judge will announce dates of future proceedings in the case. If you choose to plead guilty at your arraignment, the Judge will give you future court dates to fulfil your court-ordered obligations. He will tell you the due date for you ...

What happens if you are charged with a felony?

If you are charged with a Felony you will need to appear at your arraignment. An arraignment is a court hearing in which the charges against you are read out by the judge, and you must respond by pleading guilty or not guilty or you can ask for a continuance of the arraignment. An arraignment hearing is not unique to DUI cases and is ...

What to do if you have a DUI?

You can choose to:-. Plead guilty or “no contest” and accept a plea bargain from the Prosecutor. Plead “not guilty” and take your case to trial with a jury.

What is a plea bargain?

A plea bargain is an agreement with the prosecutor in which you plead guilty or no contest to an agreed upon charge with an agreed upon punishment. The prosecutor is the government lawyer who takes over your case from the police officer after you were arrested for DUI. The prosecutor determines the plea bargain offered to you.