DUI & CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYER IN
UPPER ARLINGTON, OHIO
If you have been charged with a DUI / OVI, criminal misdemeanor or traffic offense in Upper Arlington, Ohio, contacting an experienced Ohio OVI lawyer is essential. An attorney that is familiar with the local court rules, is familiar with the quirks of the prosecutor and the local magistrate, and can analyze the facts of your case to highlight potential legal defenses will be invaluable to achieving the best possible outcome in your case.
As an experienced DUI and criminal defense lawyer in Upper Arlington, Ohio, Attorney Douglas Riddell will examine all aspects of your DUI case to determine whether the arresting officer properly issued all required warnings, properly administered all of the roadside field sobriety tests, and performed the search, tests and arrest lawfully.
We represent clients facing criminal misdemeanor and traffic charges throughout Central Ohio, including in the Upper Arlington Mayor’s Court, such as:
- First offense OVI charges
- Assault
- Criminal damaging
- Criminal mischief
- Criminal trespass
- Disorderly conduct
- Driving under suspension
- Driving without a license
- Drug paraphernalia
- Failure to comply
- Misuse of a credit card
- Passing bad checks
- Physical control
- Property crimes
- Obstruction of official business
- Receiving stolen property
- Reckless driving
- Resisting arrest
- Sale to underage persons
- Speeding
- Theft
- Traffic citations
- Trespass
- Unauthorized use of a motor vehicle
- Unauthorized use of property
- Underage drinking
- Violation of a protection order
UPPER ARLINGTON, OHIO MAYOR’S COURT
If you have been charged with an OVI, criminal or traffic charge in Upper Arlington, Ohio, your case may be filed in the Upper Arlington Mayor’s Court.
The Upper Arlington Mayor’s Court is generally in session beginning at noon each Thursday. We practice regularly at the Upper Arlington Mayor’s Court representing clients facing DUI / OVI, traffic and other criminal misdemeanor charges.
In the video below, Attorney Douglas Riddell explains what you can expect if you have an OVI or other criminal charge filed in the Upper Arlington Mayor’s Court.
Whether you should move forward with your case in the Upper Arlington Mayor’s Court or transfer the case to the Franklin County Municipal Court is a decision you should make in conjunction with your attorney. Mayor’s Courts, including the Upper Arlington Mayor’s Court, are not courts of record and are not authorized to conduct jury trials. Thus, if a defendant charged with a DUI in Upper Arlington would like a jury trial, then the case will be transferred to the Franklin County Municipal Court. In fact, a defendant can opt to transfer or appeal his or her case to the Franklin County Municipal Court at any time for any reason.
There may be some advantages, however, to having your case heard in the Mayor’s Court. For example, a hearing in a mayor’s court is generally more informal, may have evening hours (as the Upper Arlington Mayor’s Court does), and may be more conveniently located for you than the downtown Franklin County Municipal Court.
There are both pros and cons to having your case heard in the Upper Arlington Mayor’s Court, depending on your specific situation. Consulting with an experienced Ohio DUI attorney on this issue is critical to ensure the best possible outcome given the circumstances of your case.
Typically, if you hire Riddell Law as your attorney, we will consult with you and advise whether it is best based on the facts of your case to have your case heard in the Upper Arlington Mayor’s Court, or to transfer the case to the Franklin County Municipal Court.
After the initial court appearance discussed in the video (your “arraignment”), we will continue to gather information about the facts of your case, evaluate possible flaws in the prosecution’s case, and negotiate with the prosecutor for a favorable resolution of your case, including the best possible options for reinstatement of your driver’s license. If negotiations fail, we will conduct motion hearings and a trial as necessary to ensure the best possible outcome.
To begin the process and discuss representation for your Upper Arlington, Ohio DUI / OVI, call us at 614-361-2804. Because we know DUI charges rarely happen during 9:00-5:00 working hours, we are there to take your call after hours, on evenings, weekends, and holidays.
The Court is located in the Upper Arlington Municipal Services Center at 3600 Tremont Road in Upper Arlington.
