Vandalia OVI / DUI Attorney
Charged with OVI (Operating a Vehicle Impaired) in Vandalia? Charles M. Rowland II has represented clients in the Vandalia Municipal Court since 1995. He limits his practice exclusively to OVI/DUI defense and stays on the cutting edge of the forensic science and tactics needed to defend your case. Call (937) 318-1384 for a free consultation, 24/7.
Vandalia OVI Cases Are Heard in the Vandalia Municipal Court
If you are arrested for OVI in Vandalia, Englewood, Clayton, Union, or the townships of Harrison or Butler, your misdemeanor case will be heard in the Vandalia Municipal Court. The court is located on the second floor of the Justice Center at 245 James E. Bohanan Memorial Drive, Vandalia, Ohio 45377, and its jurisdiction covers approximately 83.5 square miles of northern Montgomery County. The court operates Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and can be reached at (937) 898-3996.
The Vandalia Alcohol Diversion Program: A Possible Path to Dismissal
Vandalia is unusual. The Vandalia Municipal Court maintains an Alcohol Diversion Program, which the court has described as the only remaining judicially-established alcohol diversion program in Ohio (see State v. Webb, 2012-Ohio-2962).
Here is how it works. A person charged with a first-offense OVI is first reviewed by the city prosecutor. If the prosecutor considers the charge worthy of consideration, the case is sent to the Vandalia Municipal Court Probation Department, where the offender is screened for eligibility. If both the prosecutor and the probation screening recommend it, the offender enters a conditional plea of guilty to the OVI offense, pays a substantial diversion fee, attends and completes a 72-hour alcohol education program, and does not re-offend. If all of those conditions are met, the offense is dismissed. If the program is not successfully completed, the guilty plea is accepted by the trial court and the offender is sentenced according to law.
Because eligibility depends on the facts of your case and the discretion of the prosecutor and probation staff, it is worth asking whether the Alcohol Diversion Program may be an option for you. Charlie can review your case and advise you.
Who Makes OVI Arrests in Vandalia?
OVI arrests in the Vandalia Municipal Court’s jurisdiction are made by the Vandalia Police Department, the Englewood Police Department, the Clayton Police Department, the Union Police Department, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, and the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
Driving Privileges in the Vandalia Municipal Court
If your license is suspended after an OVI arrest in Vandalia, you may be eligible for limited driving privileges. The Vandalia Municipal Court allows you to petition for driving privileges online through its website, and it also accepts many payments online. Keep in mind that an OVI is not a payable offense: it is not one you can resolve online, and it requires a court appearance. Charlie and his staff can help you prepare and file your request for privileges so you can get back to driving as soon as the law allows.
What to Do After an OVI Arrest in Vandalia
Write down everything you remember about the stop and the tests while it is fresh, do not volunteer information, keep the paperwork the officer gave you, and speak with an OVI attorney before your first court date. Your driver’s license is affected immediately through an Administrative License Suspension, and the window to challenge it is short. You can capture the details of your arrest right away using the Arrest Night Questionnaire, then call (937) 318-1384.
OVI Penalties, Court Process, and Your License
A first-offense OVI in Ohio is a first-degree misdemeanor with mandatory minimum penalties, and those penalties increase for high-test cases and for second, third, and subsequent offenses. Your case will move through arraignment, discovery, pretrial, and, if necessary, motions and trial. Separate from the criminal case, your license is subject to an Administrative License Suspension that can often be challenged, and limited driving privileges may be available. Charlie will explain exactly how each of these applies to your Vandalia case.
Why Trust Charles M. Rowland II
Charles M. Rowland II has established himself as a top OVI attorney in Ohio and the Dayton area and beyond. He lives by the motto, “Work hard, play by the rules, and never quit!” Preparation, dedication and perseverance are his touchstones. He will vigorously fight for you and will genuinely care about the outcome of your case. He wants the most favorable outcome including acquittals, dismissed charges, or advantageous reduced charges.
He has been recognized by his clients and his peers as a top OVI attorney. He has been a “Super Lawyer” since 2013, a Fellow to the Ohio State Bar Foundation, the Nations Top 1%, the National Trial Lawyers Top 100 for Criminal Defense, a Dayton Bar Association Foundation Fellow, and has appeared in Time and Car & Driver Magazine for OVI defense. He was the first attorney in the United States to earn a certificate in Forensic Sobriety Assessment, and in 2007 he was the first private attorney in Ohio certified on the Intoxilyzer 8000 breath-testing machine. He has been qualified by the United States government as an expert witness on evidential breath testing and has testified in court-martial proceedings. He is a lecturer on OVI defense to police agencies, attorneys, judges, and students, and he taught OVI trial practice at the Greene County Peace Officer Training Academy for over fifteen years.
Charlie is a member of the Dayton Bar Association, the Dayton Bar Foundation (2022 Foundation Fellow), the Greene County Bar Association (past President), the Clark County Bar Association, the Ohio State Bar Association, the Ohio State Bar Foundation (2005 Foundation Fellow), the American Bar Association, and the American Bar Foundation.
What Vandalia Clients Say
As A DUI expert helping Lawyers defend clients, I can say Charles is the person to associate with if charged with DUI. He has gone the extra mile with training in all the latest techniques used by Police and gives each client his all. One of the top Lawyers in the DUI Defense community.
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Charles M. Rowland II, DaytonDUI 2190 Gateway Drive, Fairborn, OH 45324 (a short drive from Vandalia) Phone: (937) 318-1384
Frequently Asked Questions about DUI cases at Vandalia Municipal Court.
Where is the Vandalia Municipal Court?
The Vandalia Municipal Court is on the second floor of the Justice Center at 245 James E. Bohanan Memorial Drive, Vandalia, Ohio 45377, and can be reached at (937) 898-3996.
Which cities does the Vandalia Municipal Court cover?
Its jurisdiction covers the cities of Vandalia, Englewood, Clayton, and Union, and the townships of Harrison and Butler, in northern Montgomery County.
What is the Vandalia Alcohol Diversion Program?
It is a court-run diversion program, described as the only remaining judicially-established alcohol diversion program in Ohio, that can lead to dismissal of a first-offense OVI. Eligible participants enter a conditional guilty plea, pay a diversion fee, complete a 72-hour alcohol education program, and stay out of trouble. If all conditions are met, the charge is dismissed. Ask Charlie whether you may qualify.
Can I still drive after an OVI arrest in Vandalia?
Your license is suspended immediately through an Administrative License Suspension, but you may be able to obtain limited driving privileges after an initial waiting period. The Vandalia Municipal Court allows you to petition for privileges online, and Charlie can help you prepare the request.
Free Consultation
If you were arrested for OVI in Vandalia, Englewood, Clayton, Union, or Harrison or Butler Township, call Charles M. Rowland II at (937) 318-1384 for a free consultation, 24/7.