FIGHT TO SECURE YOUR FREEDOM!

Choose a lawyer who is knowledgeable and competent in the field of criminal law and has taken steps to further his or her education in the field. Charles Rowland maintains membership in the National College of DUI Defense and in the National Motorists Association and many other organizations dedicated to the representation of the accused drunk driver. Choose an attorney who is able to answer your questions and spends time addressing your concerns. The attorney is going to be your guide throughout this process so make sure it is someone who you are able to talk with openly and honestly. Remember, you are the consumer and you should receive a good service for your dollar. Choose an attorney who will take the case to trial if necessary. Find out what his or her experience has been with the court in question and find out if he or she feels that they can competently represent you. Find out what the attorney's retainer fee is and find out what the attorney's hourly rate is. For many people the D.U.I. experience will be one of the most traumatic and life-altering events they will experience. Hire a competent attorney who will not be afraid to challenge the government and fight for your rights!An attorney will spend a great deal of time listening to your version of events. He will scrupulously track down potential witnesses and talk to every person who was with you on the night you were arrested. If possible, the attorney will get a copy of your bar bill to show exactly what you had to drink. Your attorney will also explain what his strategy for dealing with you offense will be. It is important to hire someone with whom you are comfortable enough to be completely honest with. By the end of your first consultation with the attorney you should be able to judge the services that he or she will provide and the costs of those services.

The attorney will file his or her notice of appearance with the court. This document informs the court that you have an attorney. Following the notice of appearance the court will coordinate with the attorney's schedule so be sure to give the attorney any information regarding your schedule so that no conflicts arise. The next step in the process will be obtaining discovery and appearing at a pre-trial conference. These steps may vary depending on the jurisdiction in which the events took place.

The State of Ohio has the obligation to provide "discovery" regarding your arrest. This usually consists of a copy of the citation, the officers arrest report, field notes and a copy of the D.U.I. testing procedures. These documents give the attorney a good start on preparing a defense. A good attorney will notice when something is amiss and/or if something has not been provided. A pre-trial conference is your attorney's chance to talk to the prosecuting attorney. You will be familiar with the process by the layman term "plea bargaining." If your attorney is able to point out a flaw in the case you may have the charge reduced or thrown out of court.

Another tactic that an attorney should employ is to file a "motion to suppress" to attack evidence obtained by the officer. These motions may take any number of tacks but their essential purpose is to reduce the evidence that the state may introduce against you. Motions to suppress are a vital component of the D.U.I. attorney's arsenal and should provide valuable information. These motions are heard in separate hearings that take place before the jury trial or trial to the court. Ask your attorney what type of motion to suppress is appropriate in your case.

The attorney will also be preparing for trial. The trial may be to the judge alone or may be to a jury. You should talk with your attorney about which kind of trial would be the most beneficial to you. You should also be informed of the attorney's plan of attack and his or her feelings about a trial. Your attorney is paid to use his or her best judgment and you should listen to the advise. By being informed of the entire process you can make the best decision available to you.

COMMON QUESTIONS

• Ohio's War On Drunk Drivers
• What is Ohio's DUI Law And What Does "Under The Influence" Mean?
• What Is Ohio's Implied Consent Law?
• What Happens When I Am Stopped?
• What Happens If I'm Arrested?
• The Breath Test: What Is The Law?
• What Happens After I've Been Sentenced?
• What If I'm A Trucker?
• What If I'm Underage?
• When Do I Go To Court?
• How Do I Choose An Attorney?
• What Does My Attorney Do Prior To Trial?
• What Are The Possible Penalties For A DUI Conviction?
• What Are The Defenses To An OVI Offense?
• Do I Have A Right To Talk To An Attorney Prior To Taking The Requested Chemical Tests?
• What is Ohio's Driving Under Suspension Law?
• What do I do after my case to protect my license?