Ohio

The state of Ohio is located in the Great Lakes region of the United States. Out of the 50 states, it’s the seventh most populous and the tenth most densely populated. It was recorded in the 2010 census that there were over 11,000,000 residents currently in Ohio. This is partly because Ohio was ranked No.2 in the country for the best business climate by Site Selection Magazine. Many business men focused in financial activates or manufacturing are attracted to Ohio’s bustling economy.

Ohio isn’t only known for its business endeavors. Major cities such as Cincinnati, Columbus, and Cleveland all feature a prominent night life scene. It’s common to see Ohio residents spending time at scenic bars or attending a large event downtown. The hustle and bustle are altogether positive for Ohio’s growth as a state, but more people usually mean more law enforcement.

Police officers in the Ohio area are always on high alert for any criminal activity, especially operating a vehicle while intoxicated (OVI). A person arrested for an illegal offense could be required to face overwhelming fines, probation and even incarceration. If you or someone you know has been arrested for OVI in Ohio, it’s imperative you gain legal counsel.

OVI Defense Attorneys Practicing in Ohio

If you’ve been charged with an OVI in Ohio, this is not a time to be idle. The Ohio judicial system works faster than you think, and your rights and freedom are on the line. We recommend you gain trusted legal counsel to fight back. A great option to choose from is the attorneys at Joslyn Law Firm.

Our skilled attorneys at Joslyn Law Firm understand the complexities surrounding the law and defense. We have gained extensive resources, techniques, and knowledge over our years of practice that we can utilize for your case. Call us now at (513) 399-6289 to set up your first consultation free.

Joslyn Law Firm represents people throughout the Ohio area including Franklin County, Hamilton County, Madison County, Pickaway County, Fairfield County, Licking County, Delaware County, and Union County. 

Overview of Ohio Criminal Defense Attorneys


Crime and OVI Statistics for Ohio

The state of Ohio unfortunately is no stranger to crime. Law enforcement are always on the lookout for offenders or people making reckless decisions such as operating a vehicle while intoxicated (OVI). The Ohio Highway patrol collects data annually so they can present the trends in crime over the years. The following are those collected statistics from 2018 and 2019.

In 2018, the Ohio Highway Patrol conducted the following: 

  • OVI Arrests – 15,081;
  • Driving Under Suspended License Arrests – 23,105;
  • Commercial Vehicle Arrests – 19,109;
  • Drug Violations – 10,188;
  • Identity Theft Arrests – 105;
  • Resisting Arrest Violations – 665;
  • Weapons Charges – 635;
  • Misdemeanor Summons Issued – 10,112;
  • Misdemeanor Warrant Served – 3,368;
  • Felony Warrants Served - 1,009; and
  • Felony Arrests – 3,964

In 2019, the Ohio Highway Patrol conducted the following: 

  • OVI Arrests – 13,306;
  • Driving Under Suspended License Arrests – 19,641;
  • Commercial Vehicle Arrests – 18,929;
  • Drug Violations – 8,838;
  • Identity Theft Arrests – 183;
  • Resisting Arrest Violations – 565;
  • Weapons Charges – 573;
  • Misdemeanor Summons Issued – 8,569;
  • Misdemeanor Warrant Served – 2,985;
  • Felony Warrants Served – 955; and
  • Felony Arrests – 3,833

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Court Resources in Ohio

A List of Ohio’s Courts – Visit the official website for the state of Ohio to discover a list of courts, the counties they are located in, and a link to their local rules. This is a great tool for pinpointing where you need to go for court and allows you to review their court rules, so you’re prepared for your case. In Ohio, most cases are handled in a County Court or a County Court of Common Pleas. In some cases, minor misdemeanors and ordinance violations are handled at a municipal court or a mayor’s court, which is a local less formalized court.

Ohio’s Attorney General’s Office – The Attorney General is a chief legal officer for the state of Ohio. They work collectively with law enforcement and prosecutors to protect the state of Ohio and its citizens from crime and corruption. The current Attorney General for Ohio is Dave Yost, who was sworn into office on January 14, 2019. 

Ohio’s Court of Appeals – When a case is compromised by a legal error or is believed to have been subject to judicial misconduct you can choose to have it appealed. There are 12 district appellate courts in Ohio that hear appeals. Each case is decided by a three-judge panel rather than a jury and doesn’t focus on the crime itself, but any issues that may have happened during trial. Court of appeal judges are elected for six-year terms on a nonpartisan ballot.

Supreme Court of Ohio – The highest court and last stop in the judicial process is Ohio’s Supreme Court. The majority of the Supreme Court’s cases are appeals that have already been processed through the 12 district court of appeals. The court has final authority over interpretations of Ohio law and constitution. Currently, there are seven justices in all with six associate justices and one chief justice. Maureen O’Connor is the current chief justice for the Supreme Court and was sworn into office in 2011. 


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Law Enforcement Resources in Ohio 

Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction – The Department of Rehabilitation and Correction otherwise known as DRC or ODRC is a sector of the Ohio state government dedicated to operating correctional facilities throughout Ohio. They currently operate the sixth-largest prison system in the U.S. with 27 state prisons and three facilities for juveniles.

Bureau of Criminal Investigation – The Bureau of Criminal Investigation is a state official crime lab committed to servicing the criminal justice community.  They provide investigative assistance with crime scenes, scientists for testing imperative evidence and forensic specialists who use cutting-edge technology to process evidence. They have three divisions the identification division, the investigations division and the laboratory division. 

Ohio’s Office of Criminal Justice Services – The Office of Criminal Justice Services or OCJS provides services to both law enforcement and citizens. They currently oversee the Criminal Justice Information System Governing Board, which calculates activities related to integration of criminal justice information technology systems. They also provide Incident-Based Reporting Systems so law enforcement can plan and address crime in their jurisdictions.

Ohio State Highway Patrol – The Highway Patrol is an law enforcement agency which oversees motor vehicle and other crimes committed oh Ohio’s highways. The patrol is a division of the Ohio Department of Public Safety and administered by a director who’s also holds a cabinet position with the governor. The current superintendent is Colonel Richard S. Fambro who was sworn into his position on March 16, 2019.


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Additional Resources

Ohio Department of Public Safety – The Department of Public Safety is a sector of the government whose mission is to reduce injuries and economic loss among Ohio citizens. Visit their site to learn more about their resources, highway patrol and divisions.

Ohio’s OVI Laws – Visit the official site of Ohio’s Laws and Rules to learn more about their OVI statutes. Access the site to find more information OVI high and low tests, penalties, suspension terms and other important information.    


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DUI Lawyer in Cincinnati, Ohio

If you or someone you know has been charged with a crime, it’s important you have trusted legal representation on your side. A skilled attorney will assess the case to find what the best possible solution is. You can find that type of defense lawyer with Joslyn Law Firm.

Our criminal defense attorneys understand the complexities of Ohio’s laws and are prominent members in the legal community.  We provide effective and efficient defense plans for people charged with any type of crime. No case or task is too big for us. Pick up the phone and dial (513) 399-6289 to schedule your first consultation free.

Joslyn Law Firm represents people throughout the greater Ohio area including Franklin County, Hamilton County, Preble County, Clinton County and Brown County.


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This article was last updated on July 31, 2019.

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