WORTHINGTON MAYOR’S COURT – OVI/DUI, TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS, AND CRIMINAL MISDEMEANORS
WORTHINGTON MAYOR’S COURT CRIMINAL ATTORNEYS
The Worthington Mayor’s Court has jurisdiction for misdemeanors committed in the city of Worthington, Ohio. The court hears different types of misdemeanor cases, including criminal offenses, OVI/DUI, and traffic violations. If you are facing criminal charges in Worthington, remember that it is in your best interest to have an experienced criminal defense attorney represent you. The criminal and DUI/OVI lawyers at the AV-rated criminal defense firm Yavitch & Palmer have helped those accused of OVI/DUI, traffic violations and all types of misdemeanor and felony criminal charges in Worthington and throughout central Ohio for over 25 years.
Have one of our criminal defense attorneys review your Worthington Mayor’s Court case for free and discuss your legal options by calling (614) 224-6142 right now to schedule a free, no obligation consultation.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT OVI/DUI ATTORNEY IN WORTHINGTON OHIO
If you have been charged with an OVI / DUI in Worthington, Ohio, your case may be filed in the Worthington Mayor’s Court. It will depend on which police department arrested you and where you were arrested whether your case is filed in the Worthington Mayor’s Court or in the Franklin County Municipal Court. Either way, getting legal advice from an experienced DUI attorney is extremely important. OVI/DUI convictions can have serious consequences for your driving privileges, insurance rates, relationships, employment – and your freedom. Your first step should be to talk with an experienced Worthington OVI attorney. The OVI lawyers at Yavitch & Palmer exclusively devote their legal practice to OVI/DUI and criminal misdemeanor and felony cases in Worthington, Columbus, and Central Ohio.
CRIMINAL MISDEMEANOR CASES IN THE WORTHINGTON MAYOR’S COURT
The Worthington Mayor’s Court handles a variety of traffic violations, drunk driving, and criminal misdemeanor cases. Whether appearances are required or not, all alleged offenders have the right to contest the charges they face by appearing in court and entering not guilty pleas.
If an alleged offender pleads guilty or no contest, his or her case moves forward with sentencing. If he or she pleads not guilty, then the case will be set for trial. The criminal defense lawyers of Yavitch & Palmer have helped those charged with the full range of OVI/DUI, criminal, and traffic offenses in Worthington and the surrounding area for years.
SOME OF THE MOST COMMON MISDEMEANOR CASES THAT THE WORTHINGTON MAYOR’S COURT HEARS INCLUDE:
Compliance with Lawful Order of Police Officer — Also referred to as “fleeing and eluding,” this is a first-degree misdemeanor under Worthington Ordinance § 303.01 or Ohio Revised Code § 2921.331.
Resisting Arrest —This is a second-degree misdemeanor, but it can be classified as a first-degree misdemeanor if the alleged actions cause physical harm to a law enforcement officer, under Worthington Ordinance § 525.09 or Ohio Revised Code § 2921.33
Drunk Driving / OVI — Referred to as driving or physical control while under the influence in Worthington Ordinance § 333.01 and operating vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs (OVI) in Ohio Revised Code § 4511.19, a first offense is classified as a first-degree misdemeanor.
Operation in Willful or Wanton Disregard of Safety — Also known as “reckless driving,” this is a fourth-degree misdemeanor under Worthington Ordinance § 333.02. Under Ohio Revised Code § 4510.14, a first offense is a minor misdemeanor; however, it is a fourth-degree misdemeanor if the alleged offender has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one predicate motor vehicle or traffic offense in the prior year and a third-degree misdemeanor if the alleged offender has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to two or more predicate motor vehicle or traffic offenses in the prior year.
Driving Under Suspension or License Restriction — It can be a first-degree misdemeanor under Worthington Ordinance § 335.07 or Ohio Revised Code § 4510.037.
Driving Under OVI Suspension — This can be a first-degree misdemeanor under Worthington Ordinance § 335.071 or Ohio Revised Code § 4510.14.
Gift of Marijuana —This is a minor misdemeanor for a first offense. It is a third-degree misdemeanor for subsequent offenses, or for offenses committed in the vicinity of a school or a juvenile Under Worthington Ordinance § 513.02 or Ohio Revised Code § 2925.03(C)(3)(h).
Drug Possession —Depending on the amount and the type of the controlled substance that the alleged offender is charged with possessing, this can be classified as a first-degree misdemeanor, fourth-degree misdemeanor, or minor misdemeanor under Worthington Ordinance § 513.03 or Ohio Revised Code § 2925.11.
Voyeurism — This can be third-degree misdemeanor, second-degree misdemeanor, or first-degree misdemeanor under Worthington Ordinance § 533.06 or Ohio Revised Code § 2907.08.
HOW DOES THE WORTHINGTON MAYOR’S COURT WORK?
In Ohio, many townships and municipalities utilize mayor’s courts, which handle only criminal misdemeanor and traffic cases, including first offense OVI/ DUI cases. Worthington Mayor’s Court is somewhat unique in that unlike other Ohio Mayor’s Courts which are overseen by magistrates appointed by the mayors, the actual mayor of Worthington – who is also an attorney – is the person who presides over cases in this court. The staff of the Worthington’s Mayor’s Court includes:
- Mayor – Scott D. Holmes
- Vice-Mayor – James J. Lorimer
- Prosecutor – Karen E. Sheffer
WHERE IS THE WORTHINGTON MAYOR’S COURT LOCATED?
The Worthington Mayor’s Court sessions take place Tuesdays at 6 p.m., unless a holiday falls on Monday, in which case court is held Wednesday at 6 p.m. instead.
The Worthington Mayor’s Court is located at:
6550 North High Street
1st Floor
Worthington, OH 43805
(614) 786-7351
DO I NEED AN ATTORNEY FOR MY CASE IN WORTHINGTON MAYOR’S COURT?
Criminal and OVI/DUI convictions can create serious problems and can have a long-term impact on your life, affecting your relationships, current and future employment, driving privileges – and your liberty. Your first step should be to talk with an experienced criminal defense lawyer. Talking to an attorney can give you a better understanding of the penalties you may face and what you can expect, even if you think you want to try to handle it alone.
Our criminal defense lawyers have helped ‘good people in bad situations’ for over 25 years. We are an AV-rated criminal defense firm and we only do criminal, traffic, and OVI/DUI defense. Our desire to help people solve their problems and get back in control of their lives adds to the extensive experience we have handling every kind of OVI/DUI, traffic and criminal misdemeanor case that is heard in the Worthington Mayor’s Court.
TALK WITH AN EXPERIENCED WORTHINGTON OVI AND CRIMINAL ATTORNEY
If you have been charged with OVI or another criminal offense in Worthington, or the surrounding Central Ohio area, we offer a free initial phone or in-person consultation with one of our attorneys. During that meeting, we take an initial look at your case and see what kind of penalties you may be facing and what kind of options you may have.
If you decide to hire us, we start working on your case right away. We will arrange to appear on your behalf at your initial court appearance, which is called an arraignment. We work on getting you driving privileges, or a stay of your administrative license suspension. We talk with the Worthington prosecutor’s office and obtain all of the evidence and documents that the prosecutor plans to use against you in court. For a Worthington OVI/DUI, we examine any cruiser videos, police reports and any other documents to uncover whether the arresting police officer followed the proper steps in stopping you, citing or arresting you. We examine if the officer gave all required warnings and properly administered field sobriety tests, as well as conducted any searches or other tests properly and in accordance with the law.If you need legal help with a Worthington OVI/DUI or other criminal charge, you can give us a call at (614) 224-6142. Our phones are answered 24/7, and we will take your call during evenings, weekends, and holidays.