Is it Worth Going to Trial for a DUI?

Posted On: January 16th, 2017 by Bradley J. Groene

If you’re charged with drunk driving in Ohio, you’ll have to make a number of decisions that will have a serious impact on your future. One of the most important will be whether going to trial to fight the DUI charge is the best option. There are costs and benefits regardless of if you choose to go to trial or seek a plea agreement, and the best decision will depend on the specific details of your case.

It is important to retain an experienced Cincinnati DUI lawyer to help guide you through the process. Call Luftman, Heck & Associates at (513) 338-1890 today.

If You Choose to Go to Trial

The benefit of going to trial to fight your Ohio drunk driving charge is obvious- you have the chance to be acquitted of the charge. Research done by the Chillicothe Gazette found that Ohio Supreme Court statistics showed nearly four in 10 people cited by police for driving impaired in 2012 were not convicted of the charge. If your case goes to trial, acquittal is not certain, but a knowledgeable DUI defense attorney will understand the weaknesses in the prosecution’s case against you. Such weaknesses might include a field sobriety test that was performed incorrectly or inaccurate breath and chemical test results.

However, the percentage of OVI cases that make it to trial is very small and those that were not convicted of the original charge often instead plead guilty or no contest to lesser charges. Taking your case to trial will generally eliminate any option to plead guilty to lesser charges, leaving you to face the full criminal penalties for your original OVI charges if you are convicted.

If You Choose to Plea Agreement

Most DUI cases end with a plea agreement instead of a trial. The benefit of seeking a plea agreement if you are charged with drunk driving is that you may have the option of pleading guilty or no contest to a lesser offense or obtaining less severe penalties on your original charges. However, a plea agreement will eliminate your chances of being acquitted of the charges and will result in a conviction on your record.

It is vitally important to have an experienced criminal defense attorney to assist you in pursuing any plea bargain opportunity. A DUI defense attorney will be able to work with the prosecution for the best possible outcome and will be able to inform you of all the consequences resulting from any proposed plea bargain.

How a Cincinnati Criminal Defense Lawyer Can Help

The moment you are arrested for drunk driving you are faced with uncertainty about the charges against you, the criminal penalties you could be facing, and the best way to defend yourself. The most important step you can take is to contact an experienced Cincinnati DUI attorney who can provide you with the answers you need and help guide you through every step of your criminal case.

Attorney Brad Groene at Luftman, Heck & Associates is a Cincinnati criminal defense lawyer who has represented hundreds of OVI clients over the years and has worked hard to achieve the best possible result in each case. Contact Luftman, Heck & Associates to get the help that you need.

Call (513) 338-1890 to set up a free and confidential consultation.