Warren County Attorneys Represent Defendants in Criminal Matters

Helping clients fight drunk driving, theft and felony charges in Ohio

If you face criminal accusations of any kind, you need aggressive representation from attorneys experienced in defending clients confronting serious charges. At Ernst & Associates, our Lebanon attorneys have more than 25 years of experience helping clients fight charges ranging from drunk driving and traffic offenses to theft and serious felonies. Our attorneys provide responsive and hands-on service to all of our clients.

Understanding Ohio’s drunk driving laws

Drunk driving is illegal in Ohio. Under state law, adult drivers with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08% are considered to be operating a vehicle impaired (OVI). First offenders face three days to six months in jail, a license suspension of three to six months and fines up to $1,000. These penalties steeply increase with each subsequent conviction. A BAC of .17 or higher is a more serious “high tier” offense with doubled jail time requirements. Drivers under the age of 21 are charged with OVI if their BAC is .02% or higher. You can get an OVI or DUI in Ohio for operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Drivers who refuse to take a chemical test in Ohio are violating the state’s implied consent law, and they are subject to a fine and automatic license suspension.

Defending clients against traffic offense charges

Our attorneys provide experienced and skilled defense services to clients charged with traffic offenses. We help you fight your speeding ticket and seek to get charges reduced or dismissed for misdemeanors and felonies such as:

• Reckless driving
• Hit and run
• Leaving the scene of an accident
• Vehicular homicide
• Driving without insurance
• Driving without a license

We work hard to help you avoid license suspension or jail time regardless of the charges you are facing.

Representing defendants charged with theft crimes

There are many types of theft crimes, ranging from credit card theft and shoplifting to auto theft and armed robbery. Thefts are generally classified by the value of the goods or services allegedly stolen. When the value is less than $1,000, the crime is usually considered misdemeanor petty theft. Thefts of larger amounts are usually felonies. Anything valued over $7,500 is considered grand theft. Charges escalate based on value. Our attorneys fight to have your charges reduced or dismissed.

Understanding Ohio felony charges

The state of Ohio charges a wide range of criminal defendants with crimes classified as felonies. Some of the felony crimes Lebanon defendants are charged with include:

• Vehicular homicide
• Murder and aggravated murder
• Voluntary manslaughter
• Kidnapping or abduction
• Rape
• Robbery
• Breaking and entering
• Grand theft

Jail time for felonies can range from six months to 11 years, depending on the severity of the crime. Convictions also result in fines.

Ohio law enforcement is only allowed a certain amount of time from the alleged commission of the crime to charge a defendant. These limits vary by crime and are known as statutes of limitations (SOLs). SOLs in Ohio range from six months for minor misdemeanors to twenty years for most violent crimes. There is no SOL for murder cases. Our attorneys seek to have charges dismissed when prosecutors wait too long to bring charges.

Helping clients move forward by cleaning their records

Our attorneys assist in the processes of expungement and sealing of records. This tool helps people who have reformed their lives move on from their past so that they can obtain employment and housing. Those who were arrested but never convicted are often eligible to have their records sealed. Some first-time offenders can also have their records expunged after a waiting period.

Trust Lebanon attorneys who have the experience to present a vigorous defense on your behalf

No matter what charges you are facing, you need an attorney who is committed to minimizing the impact on your life. At Ernst & Associates, our skilled attorneys aggressively defend clients and work to keep them out of jail. If you are being investigated or have been charged with a crime in the Warren County area, contact us online or call us at 513-970-6200 to set up your free consultation.