Guide to Finding Ohio DUI Lawyer

Guide to Ohio DUI Lawyers

Being charged with DUI can affect your career and your personal life. If you have been charged with a DUI offense in Ohio (often called OVI), you need an Ohio DUI lawyer who can represent you. OH DUI lawyers are trained professionals who can help you navigate the legal system and have the best possible legal outcome. This guide will help you to understand why you need an OH DUI lawyer and help you find Ohio DUI lawyers in your local area.

Why Do I Need an Ohio DUI Lawyer?

Maybe you were already thinking of pleading guilty and don't believe you need an OH DUI lawyer to help in your case. You may want to talk to an Ohio DUI lawyer about your options even if you plan to plead guilty. OH DUI lawyers are skilled at reducing your punishment for DUI.

Your OH DUI lawyer may be able to help you avoid jail time if it is your first offense. Instead, even if you plead guilty, your Ohio DUI lawyer may be able to get you into drug and alcohol counseling instead of jail. Ohio DUI lawyers can also help you to reduce fines, and your OH DUI lawyer can in some cases make it so you do not have to use the “restricted” license plates with red letters that signal a DUI conviction.

Public and Private OH DUI Lawyers

Not everyone can afford an Ohio DUI lawyer to defend them against a charge. If you cannot afford Ohio DUI lawyers, you will be appointed a public OH DUI lawyer by the court. This Ohio DUI lawyer is called a public defender, and while being defended by a public defender ensures you have representation, you may still want to look for private OH DUI lawyers to assist in your case.

The reason you may want private Ohio DUI lawyers is simple: you don't get to pick your OH DUI lawyer when one is appointed for you by the court. This means you have no way to tell how much experience your Ohio DUI lawyer has with similar cases or what their win record is. When you hire private OH DUI lawyers, you can be sure that they have relevant experience and a record of success.

Ohio DUI Lawyers and BMV Hearings

Getting a DUI isn't just embarrassing. If you're kept off the road, you could lose your job. If this is one of your fears, you need an OH DUI lawyer to help you with any Bureau of Motor Vehicles hearings.

Your license will be suspended for varying amounts of time depending on whether you have ever been convicted of a DUI before. With the help of OH DUI lawyers, though, you can request a hearing with the BMV. Your Ohio DUI lawyer can appear instead of you at the informal hearing. If your OH DUI lawyer can show that you are not a danger, you may be able to keep your license. Some Ohio DUI lawyers have better success records than others with BMV hearings—ask your Ohio DUI lawyer what their hearing record looks like.

Faulty Testing Procedures

There can be flaws in field sobriety tests and breathalyzers that OH DUI lawyers can help you understand. Your OH DUI lawyer may find that you were tested according to improper protocol. When Ohio DUI lawyers find problems with the tests you were given, you may be able to use your Ohio DUI lawyer to help prove your innocence. Taking your case to trial with OH DUI lawyers can be successful if you have an OH DUI lawyer who is experienced in showing the flaws of these tests.

Underage DUI

It can be even harder to defend against an underage DUI charge. If you have been charged with DUI before age 21, you need Ohio DUI lawyers who can make sure a single mistake doesn't ruin your life. Many OH DUI lawyers have extensive experience with underage DUI charges. Your Ohio DUI lawyer can help the district attorney to understand why your penalty should be reduced. You can work with your OH DUI lawyer to minimize the effect your DUI charge has on your life.

Can I Afford an Ohio DUI Lawyer?

If you are already facing fines, you may wonder if you can afford Ohio DUI lawyers on top of what you're already paying. However, most OH DUI lawyers work on an affordable, flat-fee basis. This means that you will pay your OH DUI lawyer one low fee for the entire case, from beginning to end, rather than paying by the hour. Your Ohio DUI lawyer will generally charge one rate for working out a deal with the DA and a higher rate for fighting the charge in court.

Because Ohio DUI lawyers can have very different price points, comparison shopping to find an OH DUI lawyer who fits your budget may be a good option. If you look around, you can probably find OH DUI lawyers you can afford, unless you are poor enough to have a public defense Ohio DUI lawyer appointed by the court.

How To Find Ohio DUI Lawyers

Web searching or looking through the phone book for OH DUI lawyers can be an overwhelming chore. If you want an easier way to find an OH DUI lawyer, you can use the state bar's find-a-lawyer service. This service allows you to find Ohio DUI lawyers near you with experience fighting DUI cases.

If you want to get an Ohio DUI lawyer referral from a live person, your county bar association offers a lawyer referral service that you can call. The OH DUI lawyers who sign up for referrals will offer a low-cost initial consultation. You can ask about fee structures and experience levels at the initial consultation with Ohio DUI lawyers.

Your consultation will usually last about half an hour and does not obligate you to hire the OH DUI lawyer you are consulting with. Consultations are entirely confidential even if you choose not to hire a particular Ohio DUI lawyer after the consultation.