Author Archives: Robert Walton, Esq.

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.

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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.

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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 […]

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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 […]

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Challenging Admissibility and Weight of BAC and SFST Results

Challenging Admissibility and Weight of BAC and SFST Results Just because the results of a breath or blood alcohol concentration test and/or the results of Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFST’s) are determined to be in substantial compliance under their respective statutory exclusionary rules does not mean that the admissibility of such results cannot be challenged […]

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