I just got a DUI or OVI. What is going to happen to me?

OHIO DUI & OVI

The initial anxiety and Stress of DUI or OVI is the worst. People feel like their world is over. The negative feedback loop inside their mind begins.

It goes something like this: “My life is over. I’m a horrible person. I’m an alcoholic. I’m going to lose everything—job, family, etc. I’m going to jail. And so on, and so on, and so on….”

Then the questions start: “I don’t have a driver’s license; how am I going to get to work Monday? What am I going to tell my family, kids, wife, friends? What will they say at work? What will they say at church? And so on, and so on, and so on….”

The DUI attorneys at Yavitch & Palmer of Columbus, Ohio understand what people are going through. We have worked with countless individuals in the same situation. We understand that the first conversation with someone facing a DUI or OVI is critical—not just to get the case started. It’s critical to their personal, mental, and psychological well-being.

Attorneys are often accused of being emotionless or callous to people’s feelings and problems. This reputation reflects the attitude of many attorneys who either lack the capacity for empathy or who have become too emerged and focused on the world of legal issues.

When people first reach out to us the day after a DUI charge (often Saturday or Sunday morning), we can sense the despair and anguish. People need the one thing that will help quell their anxiety—information. We can’t always provide all the answers. But one thing is certain—You are not alone. Many others in Ohio have faced a DUI or second DUI or third DUI (etc.) and have survived. They will get through it. And soon enough the mess will be in their own rear view mirror.

It’s not always easy for people to see the big picture the morning after a DUI/OVI. At Yavitch & Palmer we make it our priority to answer all the initial questions (there are no “stupid” questions) and do our best to explain what the process and what is likely to happen.

Sometimes there are no concrete answers. But if it can happen in a DUI case, chances are we have been there, done that, and helped others through it. We are happy to share our thoughts and experience to get through the stress and anxiety of “the morning after.” We know that it feels like the world has stopped and everything is hopeless. But we are here to help.

For anyone in this situation, the best way to deal with the anxiety is to seek information and move forward. The first step is to contact an attorney and get help. It’s tempting to sit at home and hide. But the best tonic is action. That starts with a call our office, even if it’s early, late, or the weekend. We are available to help 24/7.

My car was impounded after my DUI/OVI last night. What do I do?

Many wake up the next morning after a DUI without a car or driver’s license. This adds even more despair and helplessness to the whole mess.

Often police are left with no choice but to impound your car after a DUI or OVI arrest.
No matter how many times a driver tells them that they don’t care if their car is left on the side of the road, police generally can’t do that. They will call tow truck and impound it. Depending on the jurisdiction in Ohio, the police agency may have their own impound lot. If not, they may take your vehicle to a private impound lot.

There is often a procedure to get the car back, even if it’s a weekend or holiday. The first step is to figure out where they took the car.

Generally, the police will give you a stack of papers after charging you with DUI. Check those papers first. Often the impound information included. The police typically circle or highlight the information. If you find the information, call the impound lot to figure out if you can pick up your vehicle and what your will need.

If the impound information is not in the paperwork, it’s ok to call the police agency. Typically, the operator answering the non-emergency number will be able to tell you the procedure to get your car.

Sometimes the impound lot requires documents from the police before they release the vehicle. They may also require some sort of proof of ownership. Most important, it will require help from family members or a friend (or two). A DUI often results in an immediate driver’s license suspension. That means someone must drive to the tow lot and another driver is needed to get the impounded car home. There are also fees associated with the tow and impound. Those fees must be paid before any impound lot (public or private) will release the car.

There are certain situations where the impound lot will not release the vehicle without a court order. When there are one or more prior DUI convictions, the car may be subject to immobilization. Even without prior convictions, some impound lots mistakenly believe that they cannot release the car, even though there is no basis for them to hold it.

The Columbus, Ohio DUI attorneys at Yavitch & Palmer can help work through these issues, even on weekends. No matter the situation, it’s usually a priority to get the car out of impound ASAP. There are daily impound fees that add up quickly.