Posts Tagged ‘Charles M. Rowland’

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Driving Under Suspension in Ohio

April 27th, 2012
Seal of Ohio
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Ohio’s Driving Under Suspension (DUS) law is formidable.  The statutory scheme encompasses over 20 different types of suspensions ranging from Automatic License Suspensions for DUI offenses to suspensions for failing to purchase adequate insurance coverage. Please click on the links below for specific information. If you need additional information on Ohio’s DUS law, or if you find yourself charged with Driving Under Suspension or any of the myriad offense that require contact with the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles, please contact Dayton traffic attorney Charles M. Rowland II at (937)318-1DUI [318-1384] today.

Types of Suspensions in Ohio

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Posted in Driving Under Suspension, DUI & Driving Privileges, DUI Out-of-State, DUI Penalties, DUI Trucking & CDL, DUI, Drugs & Driving, Ohio BMV Issues, Ohio Traffic Law

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“Hiding the Ball” in Ohio DUI Cases

April 16th, 2012

ODH and the Disappearing Intoxilyzer 8000 Records

The Ohio Statehouse in Columbus where the Ohio...

One of the proposed benefits of the adoption of the Intoxilyzer 8000 was to be the consolidation of breath test records in one place.  Previously, breath test records were maintained by the individual police departments.  Implementation and maintenance of the Intoxilyzer 8000 is the responsibility of the Ohio Department of Health and specifically the ODH’s Bureau of Alcohol and Drug Testing.  The Ohio Department of Health has started a web site containing all information about breath tests in the state, called the Breath Instrument Data Center. [HERE]  Records were to be available on-line and subject to review as public records making the entire process of reviewing a case easier.

Problems and allegations of wrongdoing surfaced almost immediately.  When the new machines gave some impossible results (10.00 and 23.00), the records disappeared.  Why?  If defense attorneys could point to outrageous results, the entirety of the breath testing scheme could be brought into question.  No adequate reason for the disappearance of these records has yet been given.  Later the ODH changed what records were accessible to the public. Why?  The Intoxilzyer 8000 was recording an unusually high number of “sample attempts” on tests.  Some of the tests said that over 20 “sample attempts” were made for one subject test.  This anomaly could be used by defense attorneys to show problems with the machine.  Instead of investigating the problem, the ODH decided to hide the report.  Similar problems were presented when ODH called the subject samples “tests.”  Why is this a problem?  If it is a “subject test” then the tests are out of bounds according to the rules written by the Ohio Department of Health.  Again, ODH took the most expedient route by changing the words “subject test” to “subject sample.”

The activity of the Ohio Department of Health, suspect from the beginning of this process, has descended to farce.  People, citizens of our great country, are being convicted of crimes that contain harsh mandatory penalties while the Department of Health arbitrarily changes the rules.  While ODH has not cited a legal basis upon which to premise these capricious changes, Ohio law does speak to the issue.  According to Ohio law records of breath tests “shall be retained for not less than three years.”  Deletion of these records, if they have been deleted forever, may also be a violation of O.R.C. 2921.12 (Tampering With Evidence) which says that no person shall “alter, destroy, conceal or remove any record or document, or thing with purpose to impair its value or availability as evidence in such a proceeding or investigation.”  Would any prosecutor fail to prosecute a criminal defense attorney who purposely deleted evidence of an OVI offense?  Enterprising defense attorneys may also have issues under the Brady discovery rules and Ohio Criminal Rule 16 discovery.  Such activity may also give rise to the affirmative defense of “outrageous governmental conduct.”  These problems will surely find themselves thrown into the laps of judges who must find a way to protect our Constitution from this bungle.  How this is sorted out may well turn into one of the most important judicial issues of our time.

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 to40404. 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.  Charles M. Rowland II is working hard to be your trusted source for DUI information in the Miami Valley. “All I do is DUI Defense.”

 

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Top 10 Rules For Protecting Your License After Your DUI Case

April 11th, 2012
English: The Roebling Suspension Bridge, spann...

OK, your DUI/OVI case has been resolved… Now what? Here are ten common-sense rules that will guide you through any difficulties that arise after your case.  By following these rules you will reduce the chance that you will have continuing issues with the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles.  Your attorney is your best source of help if you do encounter any problems and should be the first person you call.

  1. Make sure the Ohio BMV knows how to reach you. The burden is upon you to notify them of any address change. Courts will accept their statement that they sent you information at your last known address as valid even if you did not get it.
  2. Make sure the court knows how to reach you.  As with the BMV, the court will send valid notices to your last known address.  Not keeping this information current can be disastrous.  If your probation officer cannot reach you, he/she may issue a warrant for your arrest.
  3. Follow the rules!  If you are required to attend a weekend intervention program and/or sign up for treatment, please do so.  Not attending a program and/or missing a schedule evaluation usually results in a letter being sent to the court.  The court, in turn, schedules a hearing on why you have disobeyed.  The hard work of your attorney can be undone.  It is also important to realize that most weekend intervention programs run on a tight schedule.  They can and will lock you out of the program for being late.
  4. Follow all the rules!  It is much easier for your attorney to obtain a new driving privilege order than to defend you for driving under suspension.  Please drive only on valid privileges. If your job and/or hours change, make sure the changes are reflected on your order.  You should also only drive at the time and to the location provided for in your order.
  5. Show proof of insurance to everyone, all the time, every where…at least twice.  The police officer can mark proof of insurance.  Your attorney can show proof of insurance prior to the disposition of your case.  The judge can mark proof of insurance on the file and the proof can be maintained in the file.  However, the BMV should be sent a separate notice of proof at least two weeks prior to filing for reinstatement.
  6. Pay your reinstatement fee.  At least two weeks prior to the end of your suspension arrive at the BMV with your proof of insurance and your reinstatement fee.  I have abandoned giving the advice to mail it in.  Suck it up and go to the BMV in person.  You are likely to have proof that day and all issues will be solved.  You are not valid until the reinstatement fee is paid.
  7. Pay your court fees and costs on time.  Failure to do so may result in jail time, driving suspensions and/or monetary fines.  The failure to pay fines may also impact your probation.
  8. Renew your license on time even if you are under suspension.  Many times people will avoid paying the renewal during a suspension.  This is not a good idea.  To be valid at the end of your suspension, you must have a valid license.  Unwittingly, you may put yourself in the awful position of having to re-test.
  9. If you need identification during a DUI case, please contact the BMV for a “temporary” i.d.  Do not under any circumstances get a state issued identification because this will cancel your license and you will be required to re-test.
  10. Keep my number.  We pride ourselves on providing services to our clients after their OVI cases have been concluded.  Contact Charles M. Rowland II at 937-318-1DUI (318-1384) if you run into any problems with the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

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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Ohio OVI Breath Testing – Bigger Is Better?

April 5th, 2012

The Intoxilyzer 8000 breath testing machine adopted by Ohio in all 88 counties differs significantly from the Intoxilyzer 5000 machine that has been used for years.   Both machines operate using INFRARED ABSORPTION to analyze breath samples.  The sample (deep lung aveolar air) is blown into the sample chamber and then excited by an infrared light source.  The decrease in intensity of the IR light due to absorption by alcohol in the breath sample is proportional to the alcohol in the breath. The Intoxilyzer 8000 has a significantly smaller sample chamber (29.4 cc’s vs. 84 cc’s in the 5000) and a shorter light path length.  This is important because the farther the energy travels through the breath sample, the more time the energy has to react to the sample.  The longer the light path, the more sensitive the machine. (Source DataMaster  Supervisor  Guide, p. 2).

Unlike the BAC DataMaster and it’s predecessor the Intoxilyzer 5000, the Intoxilyzer 8000 does not employ a spinning mechanism that filters to test specific frequencies for infrared light absorption.  To overcome the filter wheels, the Intoxilyzer 8000 uses a pulsed light.  The mechanical result is that the Intoxilyzer 8000 has to employ a much slower processor which dramatically reduces the number of samples the machine can make per second.  In comparison, the BAC DataMaster runs at 525 megahertz which means that it tests 125 samples per second whereas the Intoxilyzer 8000 tests 4 samples per second.  The slower operating speed  makes the Intoxilyzer 8000 less able to reliably detect mouth alcohol and flag invalid samples compared to the Intoxilyzer 5000 and the BAC DataMaster. The result is that the machine is less able to detect mouth alcohol which results in the acceptance of some samples that would otherwise be rejected.  This is not the opinion of a defense attorney, this is the opinion of the Alaska Department of Highway Safety, which after testing, has not approved the Intoxilyzer 8000 for use in Alaska.  A similar result was reached in Minnesota which also refused to approve the Intoxilyzer 8000.

Charles M. Rowland II dedicates his practice to defending the accused drunk driver.  “All I do is DUI defense,” says Rowland.  Credentials?  Charles Rowland was one of the first private attorneys in the nation to be certified on the Intoxilyzer 8000.  National Patent Analytical Systems has certified Charles Rowland in the operation, diagnostic verification and calibration of the BAC DataMaster Breath Alcohol Testing Instrument, the most commonly used breath testing instrument in Ohio for DUI arrests. Rowland has been a DUI prosecutor and has been a special prosecutor in DUI cases.  He has been qualified as an expert witness on evidential breath testing by the United States government and has testified in court martial proceedings.  When the police academy needed a DUI defense attorney for its mock trial class they called Charles Rowland.   He was the first attorney in the United States to earn a Forensic Sobriety Assessment Certificate (FSA) and is Ohio’s only FSA certified attorney.  Charles M. Rowland II attended the NHTSA Field Sobriety Testing training (the same training as law enforcement) wherein he was certified to administer and evaluate the standardized field sobriety tests.  Charles attended the 19th annual Mastering Science in a DUI in New Orleans and stays on the cutting edge of forensic defenses.

Charles M. Rowland II has distinguished himself amongst his peers.  He is past-President of theGreene County Bar Association and a member of the Ohio State, Dayton and Clark County Bar Associations.  He is the winner of the 2004 OSBF Community Service Award for Attorneys under 40 and was a Fellow to the Ohio State Bar Foundation in 2005.  He has co-edited Anderson’s Ohio Civil Practice, has been an adjunct professor for the Wright State University Honors Department and was co-recipient of the 2006 Beavercreek Chamber of Commerce’s Public Education Award.   He has served on the St. Luke Parish Council, the Beavercreek School Board and as President of TCN-BHS, Greene County’s alcohol and drug treatment provider.  If you find yourself accused of a drunken driving offense, you should contact Charles M. Rowland II at (937) 318-1384 [318-1DUI], 1-888-769-5263 [888-ROWLAND] or by texting DaytonDUI (one word) to 50500.  You can also get great information about Ohio’s tough drunk driving laws atwww.DaytonDUI.com or on the Ohio DUI/OVI Blog at www.DaytonDUI.com/blog.  Charles Rowland says, “All I do is DUI defense.”

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The Reality of an Ohio DUI Arrest

April 4th, 2012

You are out to dinner with friends and you decide to have a couple of beers.  On the way home you see police lights in your rearview mirror.  The officer approaches and says, “I noticed that your license plate light was not working.”  You remember that the news announced a major “saturation patrol” was taking place and that officers were pulling people over for any conceivable reason.  You tell the officer that you only had a couple of beers.   “Sir, could you please step out of the car.”  The officer puts you through a series of difficult, confusing and humiliating field sobriety tests.  You comply because you honestly know that you could not be impaired.  The officer says that he is going to take you to the station.  Your car is going to be towed and impounded.  You watch as the officer searches through the property in your car. You are under arrest for DUI.

At the station you are told to blow into a breath test machine and are given dire warnings about what would happen should you refuse.  You want to speak to an attorney, but you know that you are not drunk, so you blow.  The officer relays the news that you failed a breath test.  “But that’s not right,” you protest.  You are informed that your “privilege” to drive has been administratively revoked.  What will happen if you cannot drive?  At this point you are placed in a cell with other people who are drunk, angry, disorderly, loud, insane, panting, vomiting or sweating through the first stages of major drug withdrawal.  Who do you call to get out?  How much work will you miss?  Will you get fired?  You need an excellent attorney.

Charles M. Rowland II dedicates his practice to defending the accused drunk driver.  “All I do is DUI defense,” says Rowland.  Credentials?  Charles Rowland was one of the first private attorneys in the nation to be certified on the Intoxilyzer 8000.  National Patent Analytical Systems has certified Charles Rowland in the operation, diagnostic verification and calibration of the BAC DataMaster Breath Alcohol Testing Instrument, the most commonly used breath testing instrument in Ohio for DUI arrests. Rowland has been a DUI prosecutor and has been a special prosecutor in DUI cases.  He has been qualified as an expert witness on evidential breath testing by the United States government and has testified in court martial proceedings.  When the police academy needed a DUI defense attorney for its mock trial class they called Charles Rowland.   He was the first attorney in the United States to earn a Forensic Sobriety Assessment Certificate (FSA) and is Ohio’s only FSA certified attorney.  Charles M. Rowland II attended the NHTSA Field Sobriety Testing training (the same training as law enforcement) wherein he was certified to administer and evaluate the standardized field sobriety tests.  Charles attended the 19th annual Mastering Science in a DUI in New Orleans and stays on the cutting edge of forensic defenses.

Charles M. Rowland II has distinguished himself amongst his peers.  He is past-President of the Greene County Bar Association and a member of the Ohio State, Dayton and Clark County Bar Associations.  He is the winner of the 2004 OSBF Community Service Award for Attorneys under 40 and was a Fellow to the Ohio State Bar Foundation in 2005.  He has co-edited Anderson’s Ohio Civil Practice, has been an adjunct professor for the Wright State University Honors Department and was co-recipient of the 2006 Beavercreek Chamber of Commerce’s Public Education Award.   He has served on the St. Luke Parish Council, the Beavercreek School Board and as President of TCN-BHS, Greene County’s alcohol and drug treatment provider.  If you find yourself accused of a drunken driving offense, you should contact Charles M. Rowland II at (937) 318-1384 [318-1DUI], 1-888-769-5263 [888-ROWLAND] or by texting DaytonDUI (one word) to 50500.  You can also get great information about Ohio’s tough drunk driving laws at www.DaytonDUI.com or on the Ohio DUI/OVI Blog at www.DaytonDUI.com/blog.  Charles Rowland says, “All I do is DUI defense.”

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