- October 9, 2018 |
- Category: DUI and Courtroom Process
My name is Jeremiah Denslow. I’m an Ohio attorney. My entire legal practice is focused on DUI defense. I want to talk about 3 very important issues to think about the day after a DUI arrest:
The first thing to consider is the location of your car. In most DUI cases, immediately after an arrest, the police will search the driver’s car and contact a tow company to get it off the road. The police will also provide the driver with information on the name and location of the tow yard. If that’s the case, simply call the tow company and ask them if you can get your car out of impound without a court order. Generally, the tow company will charge you less than $200 and release your vehicle without a problem.
The second thing to consider the day after a DUI arrest, is to determine when and where your first court appearance will take place. In most Ohio jurisdictions, the police set a court date that will take place within 5 days of the DUI arrest. You can find the location of the court, as well as the date of your initial hearing, written at the bottom of your traffic ticket. I probably don’t need to say this but it’s generally frowned upon to miss any court appearance, but especially, the first. If you simply cannot make it, contact the court immediately to see if they are willing to reschedule.
The third thing to consider on the day after a DUI arrest, is the status of your driver’s license. In virtually all DUI cases, the police will suspend your license at the time of the arrest. If this is your first offense and you refused the breath test, the suspension is a full year and you are not eligible for driving privileges until after the first full month of the suspension. In theory, that means 30 days with no driving. On the other hand, if you agreed to take the breath test, and the machine said you were over the legal limit, then your license is also suspended, but only for three months. In that case, you are not eligible for driving privileges until after the first two weeks, which, in theory, means two weeks with no driving.
Far and away, the best thing to do the day after a DUI arrest, is to identify an experienced DUI attorney and contact them right away. In a brief 15 to 20 minute phone conversation, an experienced DUI lawyer can provide you with answers to virtually all of your questions. For example, (a) how to get your driver’s license back quickly; (b) what are the odds of beating the charges against you; and (c) how to successfully defend a DUI case. While every case is different and you can never be 100% certain of the outcome, an experienced DUI lawyer can answer most of your questions and provide you with the likely outcome in your case.
Again, my name is Jeremiah Denslow. I handle DUI cases not only in Cincinnati but in the surrounding communities as well. In fact, we handle DUI defense in every court in Ohio. If you are dealing with a DUI charge and need some answers, please call me for a free phone conversation. I try to answer all calls, 24 hours a day/seven days a week.
