Dayton OVI / DUI Attorney
Charged with OVI (Operating a Vehicle Impaired) in Dayton? Charles M. Rowland II is the attorney behind DaytonDUI.com, and he has been helping people accused of impaired driving in the Dayton Municipal Court since 1995. He limits his practice exclusively to OVI/DUI defense and has earned some of the most impressive OVI credentials in Ohio. Call (937) 318-1384 for a free consultation, 24/7.
Dayton OVI Cases Are Heard in the Dayton Municipal Court
If you are arrested on suspicion of drunk driving in the City of Dayton, your misdemeanor OVI case will be heard in the Dayton Municipal Court, located at 301 West Third Street, Dayton, Ohio 45402, at the corner of Third and Perry Streets. The court was created by the Ohio State Legislature in 1913 and began operating in 1914. It is served by five full-time elected judges (chosen on a nonpartisan ballot to six-year terms) and two full-time magistrates.
The jurisdiction of the court includes everything within the boundaries of the City of Dayton: violations of City of Dayton ordinances, state of Ohio misdemeanor and traffic violations committed in Dayton, and preliminary hearings for felony cases that occur in the city. The Clerk of Court can be reached at (937) 333-4300, and clerk hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Parking, traffic, and criminal payments can be made online at PayMyFine.org, and more information is available at DaytonMunicipalCourt.org.
Arrested on Federal Property or at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base?
Not every Dayton-area OVI is heard in state court. If you are arrested on federal property — such as Wright-Patterson Air Force Base — your OVI case may be heard in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio. That should not concern you: Charles M. Rowland II has experience defending OVI cases in that court.
The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio was established in 1803 and has a western division in Dayton. If you are arrested for a federal OVI offense in Champaign, Clark, Greene, Darke, Miami, Montgomery, Preble, or Shelby counties, you will appear in Dayton’s Federal Building at 200 W. Second Street, Dayton, Ohio 45402, which can be reached at (937) 512-1400. When an OVI occurs on Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, the court applies Ohio law through the Assimilative Crimes Act, so you generally face the same penalties you would under Ohio OVI law. An attorney experienced in both state and federal OVI cases can explain the differences between the two and the penalties each carries.
Who Makes OVI Arrests in Dayton?
OVI arrests within the City of Dayton are made primarily by the Dayton Police Department, the Ohio State Highway Patrol, and the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office. Cases arising on federal property, including Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, are handled in federal court as described above.
What to Do After an OVI Arrest in Dayton
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 Dayton 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 Dayton Clients Say
“If you are looking for an attorney who is knowledgeable, trustworthy, and genuinely invested in his clients, I highly recommend Charles M. Rowland II. From the very beginning, he earned my trust through his professionalism, honesty, and deep understanding of DUI law.
Google Review
Mr. Rowland took the time to explain every part of the process in a way that made me feel informed and confident instead of overwhelmed. His wealth of knowledge and courtroom experience clearly showed throughout my case. Most importantly, he fought hard for me and helped me achieve a successful outcome.
What stood out most to me was how he humanized my situation. He never made me feel like I was just another file in the courtroom or another case number being processed through the system. He treated me with respect, listened carefully, and understood that there was a real person behind the case. He made the courtroom feel the same way.
Facing a DUI charge can be stressful and emotionally draining, but having an attorney like Charles M. Rowland II made all the difference. If you need a Dayton DUI lawyer who truly cares about his clients and knows how to get results, I would absolutely recommend him.”
Visit Us
Charles M. Rowland II, DaytonDUI 2190 Gateway Drive, Fairborn, OH 45324 (about 10 minutes from downtown Dayton) Phone: (937) 318-1384
Frequently Asked Questions about Dayton Ohio DUI Cases
Where is the Dayton Municipal Court?
The Dayton Municipal Court is located at 301 West Third Street, Dayton, Ohio 45402, at the corner of Third and Perry Streets. The Clerk of Court can be reached at (937) 333-4300.
What happens if I’m arrested for OVI at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base?
An OVI on Wright-Patterson Air Force Base is a federal matter and may be heard in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio in Dayton. The court applies Ohio law through the Assimilative Crimes Act, so the penalties are generally the same as a state OVI. Charles Rowland has experience in that court.
Do I have to appear in court for a Dayton OVI?
If you hire an attorney before your arraignment, you may not have to appear at that first hearing. Your attorney can file a notice of appearance and handle the initial court dates for you in many cases.
Can I still drive after an OVI arrest in Dayton?
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. Charlie can explain the timing and requirements for your case.
Free Consultation
If you were arrested for OVI in Dayton, call Charles M. Rowland II at (937) 318-1384 for a free consultation.