The holidays are a special time in Cincinnati. While celebrations may look a little different in 2020, there are several staples of the season. Good cheer, great food, and time spent with family and friends are the hallmarks of the holidays here.
But what happens if you get arrested around Christmas?
An arrest would obviously put a damper on your holiday celebrations. Still, there are some ways to handle getting arrested around Christmas that can help you avoid serious criminal penalties and maybe even get home in time to exchange gifts.
For help when you have been arrested, contact the Cincinnati criminal defense attorneys at Luftman, Heck & Associates as soon as possible. Call (513) 338-1890 or contact us online for a free consult 24/7.
Common Charges During the Holidays
Just like the rest of us, the police may take a few days off around the holidays, but arrests still happen. In fact, the holidays present some situations where certain criminal charges spike.
The following are some common charges people face around Christmas in Cincinnati:
- DUI. Despite the pandemic, holiday office parties, family get-togethers, and reunions with friends can lead to risky drives back home or the hotel. Add to this the fact that police often ramp up checkpoints and drunk driving patrols around the holidays, and you have a recipe for a charge of operating a vehicle (OVI) while under the influence.
- Shoplifting. As Christmas gift-giving approaches, the pressure to get the perfect present for loved ones can quickly become overwhelming. Malls, big box stores, and jewelry stores are common sites of petty theft arrests around the holidays.
- Domestic violence. Sometimes, when family members come together for Christmas, disputes and misunderstandings flare up, leading to incidents that could leave you charged with domestic violence.
Getting Arrested During the Holidays Is Complicated
Here is the problem with getting arrested around Christmas: Many of the institutions you are about to be involved with are either shut down or operate with reduced hours and limited staff.
What does that mean for you? It means the process of clearing your name, getting out of jail, and fighting your charge in court slow down.
If the judge is taking time off to visit family, your hearing can be delayed. This can keep you in custody for a few days. If the prosecutor is away for a day or two, your defense lawyer may need to wait longer to begin working to reduce your charge.
A Responsive Attorney Can Help
There are no arraignments on Christmas. Your preliminary hearing is not going to be on New Year’s Day. But if you have been arrested and charged with a crime, an experienced attorney can help you anticipate your projected court appearance dates and push for ones that are sooner rather than later. On top of that, we can use any extra time over the holidays to further prepare for your hearing or court appearance.
Of course, you can be arrested and taken to jail any time of the year, but you need a lawyer you can depend on to answer the phone when you call from jail during the holidays. You need a responsive attorney who will go to any lengths to serve his clients.
Contact a Cincinnati Defense Attorney at LHA
At Luftman, Heck & Associates, Cincinnati criminal defense lawyer Brad Groene makes himself available to answer questions and serve his clients 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Those are not merely empty words; Brad gives his cell phone number to clients so they can contact him any time—holidays included.
To get help fighting your criminal charge during the holidays or any time of the year, call LHA for a free consult at (513) 338-1890 or fill out our online contact form.
