Category Archives: OVI

Miranda Custody

Often, a person who has been detained (Terry stop, traffic stop) is “in custody ” for Miranda purposes before a formal arrest occurs. That is important because the procedural safeguards adopted by Miranda become necessary once a defendant is taken into custody.

<span class="entry-utility-prep entry-utility-prep-cat-links">Posted in</span> General, OVI | Comments Off on Miranda Custody

A Template-Motion in Limine to Exclude Evidence of a Chemical Test Refusal from Being Heard by a Jury

In cases where the facts make it appropriate, the following sets forth a framework for excluding evidence of a refusal as proof of guilt in an OVI case and as proof of the element of refusal in an OVI-refusal with a prior OVI in the past 20 years case.

<span class="entry-utility-prep entry-utility-prep-cat-links">Posted in</span> General, OVI | Comments Off on A Template-Motion in Limine to Exclude Evidence of a Chemical Test Refusal from Being Heard by a Jury

Limiting Evidence of Observations of Defendant’s Actions During Improperly Administered Wat and OLS

 State v. Homan, 89 Ohio St.3d 421, R.C. 4511.19(D)(4), and State v. Schmitt, 101 Ohio St.3d 79 piece together when the state can introduce evidence (through testimony and video) concerning the results of standardized field sobriety tests (SFST’s) in any criminal prosecution for OVI.  Simply stated, the standard for consideration of the results on the […]

<span class="entry-utility-prep entry-utility-prep-cat-links">Posted in</span> OVI | Comments Off on Limiting Evidence of Observations of Defendant’s Actions During Improperly Administered Wat and OLS

The ALS Appeal Is Important

One of the primary concerns of a person who has been arrested for OVI is the administrative license suspension (ALS) imposed against the driver’s license for refusing or “failing” a chemical test. The ALS is authorized under R.C. 4511.191, Ohio’s “Implied Consent” statute. This post is meant to generate some ideas, through the use of advocacy and […]

<span class="entry-utility-prep entry-utility-prep-cat-links">Posted in</span> OVI | Comments Off on The ALS Appeal Is Important

The Statutory Definition of “Operate” Applies to Operating Under the Influence and Operating Under a License Suspension

The First District Court of Appeals recently established that the same statutory definition of “operate” applies to both OVI and DUS. R.C. Title 45 governs motor vehicles. The entire title contains only one definition of the word “operate”. That definition is found in R.C. 4511.01 (HHH). According to the introductory language to the definitions in […]

<span class="entry-utility-prep entry-utility-prep-cat-links">Posted in</span> OVI | Comments Off on The Statutory Definition of “Operate” Applies to Operating Under the Influence and Operating Under a License Suspension