Posts Tagged ‘dayton ohio ovi’

Forensic Blood Tests: Whole Blood vs. Serum/Plasma

January 10th, 2012

English: Bags of blood collected during donati...Ohio Administrative Code 3701-53-03(A) sets forth the techniques and methods for determining the concentration of alcohol in blood, urine and other bodily substances.  Pursuant to that rule, Ohio allows for testing including gas chromatography and enzyme assays.  To challenge a blood test, it is important to know if the State has tested the blood as whole blood or as serum/plasma.  Operation with a concentration of alcohol is prohibited if the concentration in whole blood is equal to or exceeds .08%, R.C. 4511.19(A)(1)(b).  However, the prohibited concentration for whole blood is a concentration equal to or exceeding .096%, R.C.4511.19(A)(1)(c).  The high teir (super-OVI) standard for whole blood is greater than .17% and the prohibited level for blood serum or plasma is greater than .204%.  If your attorney does not understand the difference between a whole blood and a serum/plasma test, he or she may give incorrect advise based on an incorrect assumption.  Secondly, studies suggest that plasma and serum tests can be 16 to 21 percent higher than whole blood tests (Taylor, 2000; Fitzgerald, 1999).  If the report that you receive from the Crime Lab does not specify whether whole blood or serum was tested, consider making a request for independent testing of the sample.

The Ohio rules for collection of blood specimens are set forth at Ohio Administrative Code 3701-53-05.  In State v. Meyers, 146 Ohio App.3d 563, 2001-Ohio-2282 (3d Dist. Allen County 2001), the court allowed the state to use a blood tests that were taken for diagnostic and treatment purposes so long as the tests are in compliance with the OAC regulations.  In State v. Gordon, 2002-Ohio-2140 (Ohio Ct. App. 8th Dist Cuyahoga County 2002) the Eight District Court of Appeals upheld the suppression of a blood draw when the State’s toxicologist did not testify regarding the conversion of the serum alcohol content to a whole blood concentration, nor did the toxicologist testify as to any laboratory procedures for testing blood serum content and converting the results to that of whole blood. See Weiler & Weiler, Ohio Driving Under the Influence, pp. 195-201.

DUI attorney Charles M. Rowland II dedicates his practice to defending the accused drunk driver in Dayton and throughout the Miami Valley.  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 Facebookwww.facebook.com/daytondui 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.

 

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Blood Contamination & Candida Albicans

December 27th, 2011
Feeling Faint

If a blood sample is not properly preserved it can decompose.  One of the results of decomposition is the creation of alcohol.  According to Lawrence Taylor in his seminal Drunk Driving Defense, 6th Ed., pp. 561, “Ethyl alcohol is generated by fermentation of carbohydrates and proteins in the blood sample.  This occurs through the actions of various microorganisms.  The simplest and one of the most common processes is the breakdown of enzymes by one of various species of the yeast Candida, such as Candida albicans.”  The results of the fermentation in the blood vial is dramatic.  For example, a blood sample which contains no alcohol can decompose and cause a reading of .25 percent or even higher, depending on the stage of decay. (See Taylor, Id. at 561).

Proper handling of the blood sample requires the refrigeration of the blood sample.  The problem is that refrigeration can only slow down the decomposition process not end it completely.  Another protective measure is the addition of a preservative, such as sodium fluoride.  Scientific studies (as cited in Taylor, Id. at 563) suggest that sodium fluoride can be ineffective in preventing alcohol production by Candida albicans.  Counsel should also be aware of common human errors which can occur following collection of the blood sample.  It is not at all uncommon for the blood to be collected and the vial not inverted to allow the mixing of the preservative and the sample.  Make sure that your DUI defense attorney is aware of these problems which may prevent the introduction of your blood test, or provide you with a viable defense in your case.

Dayton DUI attorney Charles M. Rowland II dedicates his practice to defending the accused drunk driver.  He has the credentials and the experience to win your case and has made himself Dayton’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, www.facebook.com/daytondui.  You can also email Charles Rowland at: CharlesRowland@CharlesRowland.com or write to us at 2190 Gateway Dr., Fairborn, Ohio 45324.

 

Making Bail In Your Ohio DUI Case

December 2nd, 2011
Deutsch: Kautionsagentur in Indianapolis, USA ...

When you are arrested for OVI in Ohio, the police have the discretion to release you or to hold you in a local jail. If you are released, you are given a court date and it is your responsibility to show up at the designated time and place so that your case can proceed.  Failure to do so will result in an arrest warrant being issued.  The time and place of your appearance appears at the bottom of your ticket.  There you will find the date and the address of the court  where your case will be heard.

If you are held in jail, you will be given the opportunity to post a bond.  The posting of a bond is often referred to as  ”making bail” or “bailing out” of jail.  Why do you have to make bail?  The purpose of bail is to ensure that the defendant appears for all scheduled court hearings. Many jurisdictions in Ohio have a set amount of bail for a first-time OVI offender and you will be required to pay this bail amount prior to your release.  This pre-determined amoutn is referred to as the Bond Schedule.  Many courts will post the Bond Schedule on their web sties, making it easier for family members to access the information.  Other jurisdictions will hold you in jail until you appear before a judge.  The judge will hold a preliminary hearing called an arraignment and a bond amount will be set.  Most often the defendant will be able to post bail immediately.  Usually, bail bonds may be posted 24 hours a day.  Check with the court about what types of payments can be accepted and whether or not a credit card holder must be present for the payment to be accepted.

There are several types of bonds that can be set by the judge:

  • Recognizance Bond - Also referred to as an O.R bond, this bond requires the person who is charged with the offense to sign bond papers that are completed by the court.  No other collateral is posted.  Failure to appear for all future court dates under a recognizance bond is punishable by six months in jail and/or a $1,000 fine, regardless of the outcome of the original charge.
  • 10% Cash Bond - This type of bond requires only 10% of the full amount of the bond to be posted. For example, if a $5,000 appearance bond is set, you will need to post $500 with the court to secure your release. If you make all the necessary court appearances, the money will be returned at the end of the case. Failure to appear could make you liable for the full amount of the bond and the court could render judgment against you.  In this example you may owe an additional $4,500.
  • Cash Bond - If the court does not give you a 10% bond, you must post the entire amount of the bond that has been set before being released.  Make all of the scheduled court appearances and the court will return all of the money posted.
  • Property Bond – This type of bond has many requirements and is governed by O.R.C. 2937.24 and Criminal Rule 46(A)(3) & (I). Please consult a professional if considering this type of bond.

Sometimes a judge will say that the bond is a cash or surety bond.  Often a judge will say a short-hand version such as, “Bail will be $1,000 cash or surety.”  A surety bond requires the posting of a surety power from an insurance company that guarantees the full amount of the bond will be paid in the event the defendant does not appear for a scheduled court hearing.  Bail bond companies are also knows as bail bondsmen.  Choose a bail bond company that services the jail where you are being held.  You should also consider how quickly they can act on your case, whether or not they accept payment plans and whether or not collateral will be required.  Once you have chosen a bail bond company, the bail agent will then post the bond at the necessary jail to secure release.  NOTE: co-signing on a bond can have serious and devastating effects.  Please read and understand the obligations you are undertaking before entering into this contractual relationship.

Once the bond is posted the release process begins.  The bond is processed through the court and a release notice is issued to the jail.  Depending on the size of the jail, this process can take 10 minutes or several hours.  Usually, the defendant will receive a court date upon his or her release.  Again, failing to appear at the court date will result in a warrant being issued for your arrest and may result in a forfeiture of your bond.  Now is the time to begin searching for an attorney to help you through your Ohio OVI case.  DUI attorney Charles M. Rowland II dedicates his practice to defending the accused drunk driver in FairbornDaytonSpringfieldKetteringVandaliaXenia,MiamisburgSpringboroHuber HeightsOakwoodBeavercreekCenterville 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.

 

DUI Patrols Increased For Thanksgiving in Clark and Montgomery Counties

November 22nd, 2011

OVI Checkpoints In Clark and Montgomery County Slated for the Wednesday Before Thanksgiving

A grant from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will allow law enforcement agencies in Clark, Butler and Montgomery Counties to increase DUI/OVI patrols over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.  The Springfield Police Division and the Clark County Sheriff’s Office will use 48 overtime hours through Sunday targeting drivers under the influence.  The Butler County Sheriff’s Office will increase patrols by up to 150 overtime hours during the same time frame.  Carlene Maynes, coordinator of the Montgomery County OVI Task Force, said 18 agencies, including the Dayton Police Department, are partnering for an OVI checkpoint Wednesday evening. From Wednesday to Sunday, Maynes said about 275 overtime hours will be worked by the agencies.  Clark County will also be conducting an OVI checkpoint in conjunction with the Ohio State Highway Patrol on Wednesday.  Barring a dramatic upswing, Ohio is on track for another safety record with fewer than 1,000 fatalities – down from 1,300 in 2005.  See a report from the Springfield New Sun HERE.

DUI attorney Charles M. Rowland II dedicates his practice to defending the accused drunk driver 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.

H.B. 86 Brings Changes To Ohio’s OVI Law

October 11th, 2011

House Bill 86 which will come into effect at the end of September is a significant change to the way Ohio sentences offenders.  It also holds some interesting provisions for OVI offenders, some of which we will look at here.

LOCAL INCARCERATION OPTIONS

H.B. 86 authorizes the creation of community alternative sentencing centers (CASC at R.C. 307.932 and R.C. 2929.26(B)) for midemeanants including OVI offenders.  Eligible offenders include those OVI offenders who are eligible to be sentenced directly to the CASC and who are not serving or sentenced under any other jail or prison term.  OVI offenders will also be required to meet the requirements and rules of the CASC. R.C. 307.932(C).  Those serving an OVI-related term of incarceration (including house arrest) can serve up to 60 days in the CASC and those that receive a sentence longer than 60 days are eligible to serve up to 60 days in the CASC (R.C. 307.932(C)(2).

WORK RELEASE

The bill allows for approved work, vocational education and other releases including for offenders serving mandatory OVI-related time. R.C. 307.932(H)(4)(D).

DUI attorney Charles M. Rowland II dedicates his practice to defending the accused drunk driver in Fairborn, Dayton, Springfield, Kettering, Vandalia, Xenia, Miamisburg, Huber Heights, 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, www.facebook.com/daytondui 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.