Archive for January, 2012

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Ohio Controlled Substances Act, Drug Schedules

January 31st, 2012
Ritalin

If you get arrested for possession of a controlled substance, it feels like your world is falling apart.  If you are unfamiliar with the judicial system you are likely scared to death and wondering what will happen.  The first and most important decision you can make at this point is to hire an experienced and competent defender.  Charles M. Rowland II will file a motion to suppress, aggressively prepare for trial and present your best case to the prosecutor.  Preparation leads to better results including dismissal, a reduction in your charge, treatments in lieu of conviction, or an acquittal at trial.  CONTACT him here!

Some of your questions may stem from charges which reference “drug schedules” and “bulk amounts.”  The United States government classifies drugs by “schedule”. This classification system is used to determine the seriousness of your offense and the potential sentence you may be facing. Ohio adopted these schedules in O.R.C. 2925.11.

Schedule I drugs include those that are the most dangerous and have a high risk of addiction or dependency and no legitimate medical use. Drugs included under this heading include LSD, marijuana, heroin, GHB, and ecstasy.

Schedule II substances still have a high risk of abuse but may have legitimate medical uses. These include things like opium, cocaine, methadone, methamphetamines, and amphetamines.

Schedule III drugs are slightly less dangerous than Schedule II substances, but still have a moderate risk of abuse. Schedule III substances include hydrocodone, codeine, anabolic steroids, testosterone, ketamine, and some depressants.

Schedule IV drugs have a slight risk of dependency and have very acceptable medical uses. Some Schedule IV drugs are clonazepam, some tranquilizers, and sedatives.

Schedule V substances have a very low risk of dependency and include things like over the counter medication with Codeine.

How you are charged depends mostly on what controlled substance the government is alleged you possessed.  Ohio drug laws are amazingly complex and you should consult with an attorney about the facts of your case and the specifics of the allegations against you. CAVEAT: Drug laws are complex and change frequently, please talk to an attorney about your case.

Ciminal Defense Attorney Charles M. Rowland II dedicates his practice to defending the accused in Fairborn, Dayton, Springfield, Kettering, Vandalia, Xenia, Miamisburg, Springboro, Huber Heights, Oakwood, Beavercreek, Centerville and throughout Ohio.  He has the credentials and the experience to win your case and has made himself the Miami Valley’s choice for DUI defense.  Contact Charles Rowland by phone at 937-318-1DUI (937-318-1384), 937-879-9542, or toll-free at 1-888-ROWLAND (888-769-5263).  For after-hours help contact our 24/7 DUI HOTLINE at 937-776-2671.  For information about Dayton DUI sent directly to your mobile device, text DaytonDUI (one word) to 50500.  Follow DaytonDUI on Twitter @DaytonDUI or Get Twitter updates via SMS by texting DaytonDUI to 40404. DaytonDUI is also available on Facebook and on the DaytonDUI channel on YouTube.  You can also email Charles Rowland at: CharlesRowland@DaytonDUI.com or write to us at 2190 Gateway Dr., Fairborn, Ohio 45324. “All I do is DUI.”

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Posted in DUI, Drugs & Driving, Ohio Criminal Law

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Ohio BMV Reinstatement Offices Expand Payment Sites

January 31st, 2012
Sample of an Ohio sample license plate design ...

The Good News?  The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles is expanding the locations where you can pay your reinstatement fee.  The Bad News?  It is going to cost you.  Starting today, 179 Ohio BMV deputy registrar sites will accept payments on reinstatement fees.  The deputy registrar sites will also accept the documentation required for reinstatement.  According to the story in the Springfield News Sun, “[t]he bureau says that doesn’t mean reinstatement would happen immediately. It might require more time to be processed. Customers also still would need to meet other reinstatement requirements, such as appearing in court or having proof of insurance, before their driving privileges are restored.”  The fee for this convenience will be $10.00.  In the past, people could only pay a reinstatement fee in the following locations:

 

 

CINCINNATI
10948 Hamilton Avenue
Cincinnati, Ohio 45231
(513) 742-7535 or
(513) 742-7545

CLEVELAND
12000 Snow Road, Suite N
Parma, Ohio 44130
(440) 845-2007

COLUMBUS
1583 Alum Creek Drive
Columbus, Ohio 43209
(614) 752-7600

JACKSON
110 Twin Oaks Drive
Jackson, Ohio 45640
(740) 286-5683

TOLEDO
4400 Heatherdowns Blvd.
Toledo, Ohio 43614
(419) 245-3010

YOUNGSTOWN
Northeast Ohio Regional Service Center
242 Federal Plaza West
Youngstown, Ohio 44503
(330) 797-5550

If you are having an issue with your Ohio Driver’s License due to a DUI/OVI conviction, an Out-of-State DUI or traffic offense, a Driving Under Suspension charge or any of the myriad problems than can befall even the most conscientious person, please contact Dayton Traffic Attorney Charles M. Rowland II at (937) 318-1384 or visit  the Driving Under Suspension, Ohio BMV Issues or other appropriate portion of his blog.  A former municipal court prosecutor, Charles M. Rowland II has been helping people straighten out license issues for over 16 years.  Charles Rowland practices throughout the Miami Valley.

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DUI Law: What Should I Say?

January 30th, 2012

If you are stopped by law enforcement on suspicion of drunk driving, the officer will ask “Have you had anything to drink tonight?”  Some officers ask a variant of this question by making it an accusation, “I smell alcohol, how much have you had to drink?”  We are often asked how best to answer this question.

The short, best and most protective answer is to reply that you are uncomfortable answering any questions without an attorney present.  You have a Fifth Amendment Right to remain silent.  The police cannot punish you for exercising this right. USE IT!  So often a perfectly defensible case will be destroyed by a client’s ridiculous attempts to talk his or her way out of a DUI situation.  Police officers are very willing to listen to what you have to say.  A common tactic used by some experienced officers is the “it’s all over now, I’ve arrested you, let’s be honest” approach. They are seeking to solicit information to bolster the arrest and use against you in court.   It has also become a common practice for police agencies to conduct an “INTERVIEW” after advising a client of his or her Miranda Rights.  These so-called interviews is designed to elicit incriminating statements that destroy in advance any potentially mitigating conditions the defendant may wish to assert.  Questions like, “what have you had to drink?” “where were you driving to?” “when did you have your last drink?” “Do you suffer from any medical conditions?” etc.  The police officer simply goes down the list checking off the elements of the offense of drunk driving that the defendant willingly admits to.  Some clients even admit to being “buzzed” or feeling “inebriated” while they were driving even though credible evidence to the contrary is later discovered.  Admitting to drinking “one or two beers” is acceptable as that amount will not be sufficient to cause intoxication and it may explain why the officer can detect an odor of alcohol.

DUI attorney Charles M. Rowland II dedicates his practice to defending the accused drunk driver in Fairborn, Dayton, Springfield, Kettering, Vandalia, Xenia, Miamisburg, Springboro, Huber Heights, Oakwood, Beavercreek, Centerville and throughout Ohio.  He has the credentials and the experience to win your case and has made himself the Miami Valley’s choice for DUI defense.  Contact Charles Rowland by phone at 937-318-1DUI (937-318-1384), 937-879-9542, or toll-free at 1-888-ROWLAND (888-769-5263).  For after-hours help contact our 24/7 DUI HOTLINE at 937-776-2671.  For information about Dayton DUI sent directly to your mobile device, text DaytonDUI (one word) to 50500.  Follow DaytonDUI on Twitter @DaytonDUI or Get Twitter updates via SMS by texting DaytonDUI to 40404. DaytonDUI is also available on Facebook and on the DaytonDUI channel on YouTube.  You can also email Charles Rowland at: CharlesRowland@DaytonDUI.com or write to us at 2190 Gateway Dr., Fairborn, Ohio 45324. “All I do is DUI.”

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Posted in Field Tests (SFSTs)

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Intoxilyzer 8000 Is Unreliable!

January 27th, 2012

Today, in State v. Heather Reid, Case No. TRC 1100716 in the Circleville Municipal Court, Judge Gary Dumm has ruled that “The State of Ohio cannot expect this Court to find the Intoxilyzer 8000 reliable when the State refuses to address known problems and explain why those problems can be ignored.”

The Court calls for independent laboratory testing to address the issues raised by the adoption of the Intoxilyzer 8000: RFI, sample size of the chamber, volume of the sample tested, possible operator manipulation of the results, possible CMI modifications of the software without the knowledge of ODH and slope detector inadequacy.  Judge Dumm wrote, “If this testing is not done independently of CMI and ODH, all municipal courts in Ohio will be dealing with these challenges for years to come.” The Court also states, “At a time when scientific testing can readily determine the accuracy and validity of many tools and processes, it would seem that both CMI and ODH should be happy to run independent testing with known and respectable laboratories to determine the accuracy and reliability of the equipment.”

The Court does not address the looming question of whether or not ODH or CMI will have to turn over source code data.  However, the Court eviscerated ODH stating that “the less than candid answers to the questions regarding the data base, the ability of CMI to enter and alter the machine without knowledge or documentation, lack of explanation of newer versions software, missing information and unexplained inconsistent results clearly cast doubt on ODH’s transparency as to the Intoxilyzer 8000.”

DUI attorney Charles M. Rowland II dedicates his practice to defending the accused drunk driver in Fairborn, Dayton, Springfield, Kettering, Vandalia, Xenia, Miamisburg, Springboro, Huber Heights, Oakwood, Beavercreek, Centerville and throughout Ohio.  He has the credentials and the experience to win your case and has made himself the Miami Valley’s choice for DUI defense.  Contact Charles Rowland by phone at 937-318-1DUI (937-318-1384), 937-879-9542, or toll-free at 1-888-ROWLAND (888-769-5263).  For after-hours help contact our 24/7 DUI HOTLINE at 937-776-2671.  For information about Dayton DUI sent directly to your mobile device, text DaytonDUI (one word) to 50500.  Follow DaytonDUI on Twitter @DaytonDUI or Get Twitter updates via SMS by texting DaytonDUI to 40404. DaytonDUI is also available on Facebook and on the DaytonDUI channel on YouTube.  You can also email Charles Rowland at: CharlesRowland@DaytonDUI.com or write to us at 2190 Gateway Dr., Fairborn, Ohio 45324. “All I do is DUI.”

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Posted in Breath Testing, DUI Case Law

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DaytonDUI, Defending a Breath Test Case

January 26th, 2012
Big Bad Wolf

“I’ll Huff and I’ll Puff and Blow Your House Down”

Did you know that your breathing pattern can significantly alter the concentration of alcohol on your evidential breath test?  According to scientific research, “[t]he subject’s test manner of breathing just prior to providing breath for analysis can significantly alter the concentration of alcohol in the resulting exhalation.” (Jones, 1982, Schoknecht, 1989) as cited in Physiological Aspecs of Breath-Alcohol Measurement, Alcohol Drugs & Driving Vol. 6, No. 2, A.W. Jones.

Hyperventilation “…lowers the breath alcohol concentration by as much as 20% compared with a single moderate inhalation and forced exhalation used as control tests.” Id. (Jones, 1982).  Whereas, “holding breath for a short time (20 seconds) before exhalation increases the alcohol concentration in exhaled air by 15%. Id. (Jones, 1982).

With Ohio’s adoption of the Intoxilyzer 8000 breath test machine, attorneys should be on the look out for these types of breathing pattern defenses.  Tell your Ohio DUI lawyer if you were asked to hold your breath, blow in an unusual pattern or if the officer abruptly told you to stop blowing.  Your attorney needs to know how you blew because an operator may be looking to manipulate your breath pattern to force agreement of a first blow and  a second blow.

Charles M. Rowland II, DaytonDUI, is certified on the Intoxilyzer 8000 and has attended training on the machine wherein defenses like the breathing pattern defense and the long-blow breath test defense are explained in scientific detail.  He has been a city prosecutor and is Ohio’s only Forensic Sobriety Assessment certified attorney.  If you need to fight your DUI, contact attorney Charles M. Rowland II at 937-318-1DUI or 888-ROWLAND. “All I do is DUI Defense.”

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Posted in Breath Testing

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