Charged With A Crime? Don’t Settle For Less, Come To James F. Bogen, Attorney at Law.

James F. Bogen

The DUI/OVI Defense You Deserve

In Ohio, impaired driving charges carry harsh penalties. You could lose your driver’s license, face jail time and incur steep fines. It’s important to take every DUI charge seriously.

You can turn to me, James F. Bogen, Attorney at Law, for help with any kind of DUI/OVI charge. I offer the value of more than two decades of criminal law experience, including extensive trial experience. I’m familiar with the local courts in the Cincinnati area, and I use that local knowledge to help my clients avoid the harsh consequences of a conviction.

Certified In Field Sobriety Testing

Field sobriety tests often play a role in DUI/OVI arrests. Because I have been certified in Standardized Field Sobriety Testing, I can readily identify problems with how these tests were administered. Not many criminal defense lawyers have that certification. It’s a big advantage that I offer every client.

My Approach To Every OVI Case

I handle all kinds of OVI cases, from first-time to repeat offenses and boating DUI cases. In every case, I begin with a diligent and thorough investigation, examining all evidence to find the strongest angle for a defense.

I know what to look for in pinpointing gaps in the evidence. I can identify if law enforcement made mistakes or violated your rights. Drawing on that big-picture understanding of all aspects of your case, I will leverage every advantage to help you obtain a favorable outcome, whether a dismissal or reduction of the charges, a probation agreement or a not guilty verdict.

Tips For DUI Stops

DUI stop tips are general considerations and are not specifically tailored to any particular situation. Following these tips does not guarantee that you will not be arrested for DUI, and it does not guarantee that you will not be convicted of DUI. If you have questions about a specific situation, it is advisable to speak to an attorney before deciding what to do.

Here are some general tips on what to do if you get pulled over for DUI/OVI:

  • Be polite. If you are rude to the officer when you are stopped, the prosecution will argue that this is evidence of impairment. Being rude or argumentative with the officer will never help your case. Ever. You should also be on your best behavior if the officer leaves you alone in the back of the cruiser. Many police departments have cameras in their cruisers. If you act up in the back of the cruiser even when the officer is not present, this will be in the video, and the prosecutor will also use this to argue that you were impaired.
  • Have your license, proof of insurance and registration ready to hand to the officer before he approaches your vehicle. If you try to retrieve these things after he asks you for them, when you are very likely nervous, there is a good chance that he could write on his report that you were “fumbling” through your wallet or purse to try to retrieve these things. Officers and prosecutors treat this as a sign of impairment.
  • Do not answer any questions about where you were or any questions about drinking (such as how much you have had to drink or what you have had to drink). Politely tell the officer that you do not wish to answer any questions without an attorney present.
  • Exit the vehicle when the officer asks you to. Take care not to pull yourself up or brace yourself with your door when exiting the vehicle. Officers and prosecutors treat this as another sign of impairment.
  • Do not take any roadside tests, the breath test, a urine test, or any other tests without speaking to an attorney first. Politely make it clear to the officer that you do not wish to take any tests before speaking to an attorney. If an officer is investigating you for DUI by asking certain questions or speaking of certain tests, it is a pretty good bet that the officer has already decided to arrest you anyway and is just trying to build evidence for prosecutors.
  • Do not consent to a search of your vehicle or your person. You have the constitutional right to refuse a search, and you should always exercise that right.
  • If you take advantage of Ohio’s new marijuana laws: don’t use it before driving, don’t use it in your car, and don’t even have it out. You can still be charged with driving high days or weeks after using if you give police a urine test.

If the officer already suspects you of DUI, you are very likely going to be charged with it and have an automatic suspension of your driver’s license no matter what you do at this point. There is no “one size fits all” advice for these situations, and it is advisable to speak to an attorney before deciding what to do when you are suspected of DUI.

Driven To Get Results

I bring a driven focus to every case, putting in the effort it takes to win. To learn more about working with me, or to discuss any OVI questions you may have, please reach out to me online or call my personal cell phone at 513-503-7251.