If you have been charged with DUI or driving under the influence, you can represent yourself but most people do not have any ideas about their rights when it comes to DUI charges. The consequences to your future can be very high and not hiring an attorney to protect your rights and represent you can be a terrible mistake. DUI laws vary from State to State and these laws change frequently, it is high recommended you hire a lawyer who is familiar with the law of the State where you were charged with the DUI. Ohio’s DUI law is quite complicated and among the toughest in the nation. A Clermont County DUI lawyer can help your fight your charges and seek a positive outcome in your case. Not even considering hiring a DUI lawyer to represent you can be a major mistake. A Mason DUI lawyer is familiar with the case law in the State of Ohio and can help lessen the consequences.

In Ohio, a DUI can also be referred to as an OVI (operating a vehicle under the influence) or an OMI (operating a motor vehicle while under the influence). No matter what it is called this crime is a first degree misdemeanor offense. Ohio DUI penalties may include license suspension, probation, jail, hefty fines which ranges from $250 to $10,000, and/or treatment programs. There are two types of Ohio DUI charges. One type for individuals charged with driving under the influence and the other type for those charged driving with a BAC (blood alcohol content) over a designated legal limit which is determined by either by testing of blood, breath, or urine.

In the State of Ohio, the punishment and penalties depends upon an individual’s prior criminal record, traffic record, prior DUI convections, level of alcohol, and the specific facts associated with each individual case. In Ohio, your penalty may even be doubled the higher your BAC is at the time of the arrest. In Ohio DUI penalties are different for individuals under the age of 21 than those over the age of 21.

The State of Ohio prohibits an individual convicted of DUI charges from expunging their record. This means you need to hire a DUI attorney in order to prove your innocence so you will have a criminal charge permanently on your record. A criminal charge on your record can damage to your employment and financial future.

Without a legal expert to represent you in court, you are not likely to receive any leniency. An attorney can help you negotiate a more favorable outcome. Hiring a legal professional to represent you is expensive but they are a necessary expense. A legal expert is not a miracle worker but can help when it comes getting the charges dropped or reduced, keep your record clean, prevent you from losing your driver’s license, reduce fines, and jail time. A legal professional will investigate the arrest, make sure the evidence was handled correctly, as well as evaluate and question the sobriety tests.

Author Bio: Stewart Wrighter learned quite a bit about the merits of hiring a great attorney when he spent a day with a respected Clermont County DUI lawyer helping to make their practices more efficient. He hired a Mason DUI lawyer to represent his son.

Category: Legal
Keywords: Clermont County DUI lawyer,Mason DUI lawyer