EXPERIENCED DUI / OVI LAWYER
SERVING WESTERVILLE, OHIO
If you have been charged with a DUI / OVI in Westerville, Ohio contacting an experienced Ohio DUI lawyer is essential. An Ohio lawyer that is well versed in Ohio OVI law can analyze the facts of your case and highlight potential legal defenses to achieve the best possible outcome in your case.
With substantial experience in DUI/OVI law, we will examine all aspects of your Westerville OVI case to determine whether the arresting officer followed all of the appropriate protocols, including whether the Westerville officer properly issued all required warnings, properly administered all of the roadside field sobriety tests, and performed the search, tests and arrest lawfully.
Attorney Douglas Riddell has successfully represented clients facing drunk driving charges throughout Central Ohio, including in Westerville Mayor’s Court, in cases ranging from first and second offense DUI charges to repeat felony DUI cases that can carry significant penalties, including significant jail time.
WESTERVILLE, OHIO MAYOR’S COURT
We regularly represent clients facing drunk driving charges in Westerville, Ohio. If you have been charged with a DUI / OVI in Westerville, Ohio, your case may be filed in the Westerville Mayor’s Court. The Court is located at 21 S. State Street in Westerville, Ohio. Attorney Doug Riddell is regularly at the Westerville Mayor’s Court representing his clients facing DUI / OVI and other misdemeanor charges.
We practice regularly at the Westerville Mayor’s Court representing Westerville residents, Otterbein students, and those who were just visiting or passing through Westerville when they were pulled over by the Westerville police and charged with an OVI, traffic offense or other criminal charge. The Westerville Mayor’s Court is in session each Wednesday.
Whether you should move forward with your case in the Westerville Mayor’s Court or transfer the case to the Franklin County Municipal Court is a decision you should thoughtfully consider in conjunction with your attorney. There are both pros and cons to having your case heard in the Westerville Mayor’s Court, depending on your specific situation. Consulting with an experienced Ohio OVI attorney who regularly practices in Ohio mayor’s courts is critical to ensure the best possible outcome given the circumstances of your case.
Ohio Mayor’s Courts, including the Westerville Mayor’s Court, are not courts of record and are not authorized to conduct jury trials. Therefore, if you would like to have your case heard by a jury, then your attorney can help you to transfer the case to the Franklin County Municipal Court. In fact, you can opt to transfer or appeal your 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 and may be more conveniently located for you, depending on where you live and/or work.
Once that decision is made, Mr. Riddell will likely arrange it so that you do not have to appear in court for your first court date. He will handle it for you. This way, you do not have to worry about taking off work or otherwise arranging your schedule to go to court. After that first court appearance (which is called your “arraignment”), we will continue to gather information about the facts of your case, evaluate possible flaws in the prosecution’s case, and negotiate for a favorable resolution of your case, including the best possible options for reinstatement of your driver’s license and/or driving privileges. 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 Westerville, Ohio DUI / OVI, call Attorney Doug Riddell directly at 614-361-2804. Because we know DUI charges rarely happen during 9:00-5:00 working hours, Mr. Riddell is there to take your call after hours, on evenings, weekends, and holidays.
