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Forensic Blood Tests: Whole Blood vs. Serum/Plasma

April 26th, 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 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.

 

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Posted in Blood & Urine Tests

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Driving While High?

April 25th, 2012
3D rendering of the THC molecule

3D rendering of the THC molecule

Today, 90 million Americans have the right to access medical marijuana when they are seriously ill.  Ohioans will consider the passage of a medical marijuana bill this fall.  As more states decriminalize and legalize marijuana, law enforcement is scrambling to deal with what it warns will be a dramatic increase in driving while stoned.  What can we expect?

LAW ENFORCEMENT RESPONSE. Many states have adopted a specified training regimen for law enforcement officers.  This protocol allows officers to testify as to specific observations of marijuana impairment.  Drug Recognition Experts (DRE) are trained to recognize when an individual has been driving under the influence of drugs and to identify the type of drug causing impairment.  Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) refers not only to the officers themselves, but to the 12-step procedure that these officers use. DRE was developed by police officers from the Los Angeles (California) Police Department. In 1979, the Drug Recognition program received the official recognition of the LAPD. As of 2005, approximately 6000 police officers are certified as Drug Recognition Experts.  Ohio has not adopted the DRE protocol… yet.

STATUTORY RESPONSE. Several states, including Arizona, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, South Dakota, and Utah have adopted a “zero tolerance” approach to marijuana impairment while driving. Other states including Ohio, Pennsylvania and Nevada have attempted to set arbitrary levels which presume impairment.  These laws are similar to the familiar drunk driving laws which set a limit of .08% BAC.  Ohio, which also imposes a limit of 2 ng/mL for THC blood tests, and 10 ng/mL for THC urine tests. For the marijuana metabolite THC-COOH, Ohio’s limit is 50 ng/mL in blood and 35 ng/mL in urine; the limits are lower if the metabolite is detected along with alcohol or other drugs.

SCIENTIFIC RESPONSE.  As reported in this Reuters story, scientists are hard at work developing a roadside test for drivers who are impaired by marijuana.  It may soon be economically feasible to test drivers by using a quick saliva test which detects the presence of THC, the psychoactive ingredient in pot.   The saliva THC test is in its final phases of testing.

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

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Making Bail In Your Ohio DUI Case

April 24th, 2012
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 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.

 

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Posted in DUI & Bail, DUI & College, DUI Court Process, DUI Penalties

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Admissibility of the Standardized Field Sobriety Tests – Statutory Rules

April 18th, 2012
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (March 17, 2009) Lt. j.g. J...

Ohio Revised Code 4511.19(D)(4)(b) sets forth the law on admissibility of the standardized field sobriety tests in Ohio.  It reads, in pertinent part:

(b) In any criminal prosecution or juvenile court proceeding for a violation of division (A) or (B) of this section, of a municipal ordinance relating to operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, a drug of abuse, or alcohol and a drug of abuse, or of a municipal ordinance relating to operating a vehicle with a prohibited concentration of alcohol, a controlled substance, or a metabolite of a controlled substance in the whole blood, blood serum or plasma, breath, or urine, if a law enforcement officer has administered a field sobriety test to the operator of the vehicle involved in the violation and if it is shown by clear and convincing evidence that the officer administered the test in substantial compliance with the testing standards for any reliable, credible, and generally accepted field sobriety tests that were in effect at the time the tests were administered, including, but not limited to, any testing standards then in effect that were set by the national highway traffic safety administration, all of the following apply:

(i) The officer may testify concerning the results of the field sobriety test so administered.

(ii) The prosecution may introduce the results of the field sobriety test so administered as evidence in any proceedings in the criminal prosecution or juvenile court proceeding.

(iii) If testimony is presented or evidence is introduced under division (D)(4)(b)(i) or (ii) of this section and if the testimony or evidence is admissible under the Rules of Evidence, the court shall admit the testimony or evidence and the trier of fact shall give it whatever weight the trier of fact considers to be appropriate.

Thus, the State must establish by (1) clear and convincing evidence (2) that the officer administered the test in substantial compliance (3) with the testing standards for any reliable, credible, and generally accepted tests (4) in effect at the time the tests were administered (5) including, but not limited to, the standards set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.  Since the adoption of this standard and its acceptance by the Ohio Supreme Court, DUI attorneys have been fighting to define the parameters of what it means to be in substantial compliance with the standards.  See State v. Boczar, 113 Ohio St. 3d 148, 2007-Ohio-1251, 863 N.E.2d 155 (2007), upholding the constitutionality of R.C. 4511.19(D)(4)(b).  Such determinations are made on a case-by-case basis. State v. Robinson, 160 Ohio App.3d 802, 2005-Ohio-2280, 828 N.E.2d 1050 (Ohio App. 5th District Fairfield County 2005), appeal not allowed, 106 Ohio St. 3d 1544, 2005-Ohio-5343, 835 N.E.2d 726, abrogated on other grounds by State v. Boczar Id.; see also Brookpark v. Key, 2008-Ohio-1811 (Ohio Ct. App. 8th Dist. Cuyahoga Cty 2008).

DUI attorney Charles M. Rowland II dedicates his practice to defending those accused of DUI 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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“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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