Dayton has a few notable firsts. We sold the Federal Government it’s first airplane, a Wright biplane for $25,000; a far cry from the $200 million we spend on an F-22 or the equivalent today. And speaking of money, Dayton’s James Ritty invented the first cash register. Facing your first DUI charge however, isn’t a notable occasion. Putting it behind you through dismissal or at least a reduction of charge should be your top priority.
Facing a DUI for the first time may be frightening and confusing. You probably don’t have the time or energy to deal with court deadlines and hearings. On top of that, police officers and prosecutors may try to intimidate you and convince you that you are guilty. It may seem surprising, but many individuals would prefer to plead guilty rather than deal with the stress and uncertainty associated with a criminal prosecution.
Though pleading guilty might seem like the quickest and easiest way out, don’t be naïve. DUI charges in Dayton, even for first-time offenders, can have a long-lasting effect on your life and subject you to serious penalties, including jail time, up to five years on probation, drivers’ license suspension for up to three years, installation of an ignition interlock device on your vehicle, issuance of restricted license plates, and fines of up to $1,075 plus court costs. No matter what your situation, don’t make a decision before consulting with a skilled first-time Dayton DUI defense attorney.
It May be Your First DUI—It’s Not Ours
Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers has a long history of dealing with DUI charges in Dayton. We know that many individuals are not guilty, no matter what the police officers or prosecutors say. We recognize the consequences that a conviction can have for even a first-time offence. Our familiarity with the law allows us to negotiate the dropping or reducing of charges for many clients that might otherwise have faced severe penalties.
Throughout the complex and intimidating criminal process, our attorneys can help you navigate the maelstrom and come out with your life intact. Our attorneys will be there every step of the way to give you critical updates, explanations, and guidance. We pride ourselves in being able to simplify the process so that our clients can understand what is happening in their case and participate actively in their own defense.
Now What?
At Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers we believe it is important to keep you informed and educated about your case. We often hear questions about the process. What’s next? How long will it take? What happens in each court appearance? We want to answer those and any questions you may have.
The first step, procedurally, is the arraignment. There won’t be a pre-trial suspension of your license if this is your first offense and you had a blood or breath test. We will encourage you at this point to plead not guilty. If, however, you refused a chemical test or have had a previous DUI within 5 years the court will suspend your license to drive in Ohio. Your next court appearance will be at your arraignment.
Gathering information
The next step is to assemble the facts of the case. We do this by filing motions requesting evidence from the prosecutor, the police, and any witnesses. We make sure we gather all evidence directly from the source so that no piece of critical evidence is overlooked. We then make copies of all the evidence for your input and review. We then meet with you to go over all the details of your case.
Reviewing the Evidence
We will first consider the following aspects of DUI evidence:
- Was it a legal stop?
- Was it a legal detention?
- Did the officer follow NHTSA regulations during the sobriety tests?
- Was there probable cause?
- Were proper procedures followed for a chemical test or refusal?
The plan
Based on the evidence, we then develop a course of action. What are the strengths and weaknesses of the prosecutor’s case? Should we challenge any of the 5 points above and conduct motion to suppress? What direction might the prosecutor pursue? Does the prosecution have enough evidence to go to trial? Would a motion in limine or request a Daubert hearing on scientific evidence help our case? We explore everything that could affect your case.
Please give us a call today for a no-obligation consultation at no cost to you, and let’s get started.
