Motion to Suppress in Cadiz

If you’re stopped by a police officer in Ohio, the stop must be legally justified. Otherwise, your attorney might leverage this for a dismissal of charges. Often, a Cadiz criminal lawyer examines whether law enforcement had the right to make the stop, especially for OVI charges in Harrison County. For example, traffic stops are considered “seizures” under the 4th and 14th Amendments, according to Ohio Case Law. This means that officers must meet strict legal standards when stopping a driver.

With unlawful stops, defendants often benefit from a complete dismissal of charges. If you’ve been charged with an OVI in Harrison County due to an illegal stop, a Cadiz OVI lawyer can work to have your charges dismissed. The Youngstown Criminal Law Group is here to provide the legal guidance you need.

Why Will an Officer Stop Your Vehicle?

When stopping a vehicle, an officer must articulate a reasonable suspicion of unlawful activity. The court will judge this standard by evaluating the totality of circumstances and evidence.

If you’re stopped for a traffic violation, the stop is generally justified. However, if there is no criminal suspicion or observed illegal activity, the stop can be deemed unlawful in Ohio. A Cadiz traffic ticket lawyer knows how to scrutinize such stops and determine their legitimacy.

Relevance to Ohio OVI Cases

Engaging with a Cadiz OVI lawyer is essential to analyze and assess why the officer stopped your vehicle. If, after an in-depth evaluation, your attorney discovers grounds to challenge the stop, they can file a Motion to Suppress questioning its legality.

Additionally, a Cadiz criminal lawyer will investigate whether the standardized field sobriety tests were conducted in compliance with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Manual. If the tests weren’t correctly administered or followed proper protocol, your lawyer may argue that the state cannot legally justify your arrest.

The lawyer will aggressively question the officer involved to determine whether anything unlawful was observed during the stop or if the decision to pull you over was based entirely on a hunch. Importantly, Ohio courts do not accept “hunches” as valid grounds for traffic stops or arrests.

Challenging Chemical Testing

The Cadiz OVI lawyer can also challenge chemical tests, such as breath, blood, or urine samples, to determine whether they were conducted following Ohio Department of Health or Ohio Administrative Code Guidelines. Any procedural error or noncompliance can weaken the state’s case against you.

Consult a Cadiz OVI Lawyer

The Youngstown Criminal Law Group is committed to helping you handle your case with confidence. Our experienced Cadiz traffic ticket lawyers will collaborate with you to build a strong defense, relentlessly pursue the best outcome, and explore every avenue for dismissing charges or minimizing penalties.

For further assistance, contact us today at (330) 992-3036 schedule a free consultation with an experienced Cadiz criminal lawyer.