Have you been accused of or charged with a criminal traffic offense in Cincinnati, Ohio? Depending on the nature of the offense, you could be forced to deal with fines, points on your driving license, and potentially the loss of your driving privileges. Fortunately, by calling a seasoned traffic offense attorney from Moermond & Mulligan, LLC, you could potentially avoid the harshest penalties and protect your license and finances.
Our Ohio defense lawyers have decades of experience helping people like you minimize the impact a traffic violation could have on their lives. Let us put our experience and knowledge of the Ohio criminal justice system to work for you. Give us a call at (513) 421-9790 or contact our firm online to discuss your situation during a free and 100% confidential consultation.
How Could a Criminal Traffic Offense Lawyer Help Me?
When you hire a criminal traffic offense lawyer from Moermond & Mulligan, LLC, your attorney could help you by:
- Explaining your rights and addressing any questions you have about your case
- Outlining the legal process so you understand what to expect every step of the way
- Handling the tedious and time-consuming aspects of your case, including investigating the alleged offense, gathering helpful evidence, and preparing documentation for the court
- Negotiating aggressively with prosecutors to have your charges reduced or dismissed
- Researching relevant statutes and case laws that could apply to your situation
- Working with experts like accident reconstruction specialists to obtain valuable testimony
- Interviewing witnesses who saw the alleged offense for statements that support your case
- Communicating on your behalf so you don’t have to worry about incriminating yourself
- Representing you in court and arguing your defense case before a judge or jury
- Preparing and filing appeals to challenge unfavorable court decisions.
Why Choose Moermond & Mulligan, LLC to Handle Your Criminal Traffic Offense Case?
It’s normal to feel overwhelmed, stressed, and unsure of what to do after a criminal traffic offense charge in Ohio. When you’re going through difficult times like these, you need a law firm that can protect your rights and handle all the stressful legal details for you. That’s where Moermond & Mulligan, LLC comes in.
When you come to us for help after a traffic charge, we understand that your future is on the line, and we take that seriously. You can expect us to provide personalized attention at every stage of your defense case and fight for the best outcome possible, which could include a reduction or outright dismissal of the charges against you.
Our team brings more than 50 years of combined experience to the table, and we have a strong track record of securing favorable case results for our clients. Attorneys Brad Moermond and L. Patrick Mulligan have extensive experience on both sides of the courtroom, having represented numerous clients in both state and federal courts. Attorney Mulligan is also a Board-Certified Specialist in Criminal Law, a designation that a small number of attorneys have earned.
We offer free, confidential case reviews so you can get the help you need with no financial risk or obligation to move forward. Our goal is to help you get through this challenging experience and move forward with your life. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help.
Types of Criminal Traffic Offense Cases We Handle
If you have been charged with a criminal traffic violation in Cincinnati, Ohio, the skilled defense lawyers at Moermond & Mulligan, LLC can help. We have extensive experience handling all types of traffic crime cases, including those that involve:
- Operating a vehicle under the influence (OVI) – Driving while intoxicated by drugs or alcohol
- Aggravated Vehicular Assault – Causing significant harm to another person while operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Vehicular Homicide – Causing the death of another person due to negligent or reckless operation of a motor vehicle
- Street racing – Racing two or more vehicles on a public road, street, or highway
- Improper passing – Passing other vehicles on the right or at an unsafe distance
- Failure to maintain a single lane – Failing to remain within marked traffic lanes
- Improper turning – Recklessly or carelessly approaching or executing a turn maneuver
- Improper backing – Driving in reverse on a highway or when it is not safe to do so
- Failure to yield the right of way – Violating another road user’s lawful right of way
- Highway parking – Obstructing traffic by parking or leaving a vehicle on the highway
- Other parking violations – Parking on a sidewalk, crosswalk, or other prohibited location
- Sidewalk driving – Driving any vehicle other than a bicycle along the sidewalk
- Obstructing an intersection – Blocking traffic by negligently entering an intersection
- Failure to stop for a school bus – Unlawfully passing or stopping too close to a school bus
- Driving with missing or broken lights – Operating a vehicle without functioning signal lamps
- Child restraint violations – Carrying a child passenger without a proper car seat or booster seat
- Headphone violations – Driving with earphones or earplugs in both ears, other than hearing aids
- Distracted driving – Driving while texting or operating a handheld electronic device
- Failure to comply with an order or signal of an officer – Disobeying instructions from a police officer
- Reckless driving – Operating a vehicle in “willful or wanton disregard” for others’ safety
- Failure to maintain control – Driving without maintaining reasonable control over a vehicle
- Wrongful entrustment – Allowing an unlicensed or unsuitable driver to drive one’s car
- Speed violations – Exceeding posted speed limits or driving too slowly or too fast for conditions
- Hit-and-run violations – Failing to stop and remain at the scene after a motor vehicle collision
- Other violations – Driving without a valid driver’s license, registration, or insurance policy
Penalties for Criminal Traffic Offenses in Ohio
The penalties for a given Ohio traffic offense can vary considerably depending on the type and severity of the offense, the existence of any aggravating or mitigating circumstances, and whether you have any prior offenses on your record. Traffic offenses can be categorized as misdemeanors, traffic infractions (“minor misdemeanors”), or felonies based on the relevant factors.
Common examples of misdemeanor traffic offenses and infractions include improper parking, obstructing an intersection, texting while driving, and driving with a suspended license. Standard sentencing guidelines for misdemeanor traffic crimes in Ohio are as follows:
Minor misdemeanors or infractions
Punishable by a maximum fine of $150
Fourth-degree misdemeanors
Punishable by up to 30 days in jail and a $250 fine
Third-degree misdemeanors
Punishable by up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine
Second-degree misdemeanors
Punishable by 90 days in jail and a $750 fine
First-degree misdemeanors
Punishable by 180 days in jail and a $1,000 fine
Examples of felony traffic offenses in Ohio include vehicular homicide, aggravated vehicular assault, repeat OVI violations, and hit-and-run violations. Standard penalties for felony traffic crimes in Ohio include:
Fifth-degree felonies
Punishable by six to 12 months in jail and up to $2,500 in fines
Fourth-degree felonies
Punishable by six to 18 months in jail and up to $5,000 in fines
Third-degree felonies
Punishable by nine to 60 months in jail and up to $10,000 in fines
Second-degree felonies
Punishable by two to eight years in jail and up to $15,000 in fines
First-degree felonies
Punishable by three to 11 years in jail and up to $20,000 in fines
You could face other consequences besides these criminal penalties upon conviction for a traffic crime in Ohio. For instance, you could lose your driving privileges if your license gets suspended or revoked. You might also see your car insurance premiums increase and have difficulty qualifying for loans. Depending on the violation, you could also suffer reputational damage or even lose your job.
Working with a knowledgeable defense lawyer is the best way to protect yourself from the possible legal, financial, and personal repercussions of an Ohio traffic crime. The attorneys at Moermond & Mulligan, LLC can defend your rights, establish a strong defense on your behalf, and work to minimize or get the traffic offense charges against you dismissed.
Possible Defenses for Ohio Criminal Traffic Offenses
Different defense strategies could be used based on the specifics of your criminal traffic offense case. Your attorney might use one or more of the following defenses depending on the circumstances:
- Lack of probable cause – Law enforcement lacked probable cause to initiate your traffic stop.
- Improper law enforcement procedures – Police failed to follow protocol for a stop or arrest.
- Unlawful search or seizure – Police conducted an illegal search or seizure of you, your passengers, your vehicle, or the contents of your vehicle.
- Improper evidence – The evidence against you is inaccurate, unreliable, or biased.
- Necessity – You broke the law out of necessity, such as speeding to the hospital in an emergency.
- Mistaken identity – Law enforcement mistook you for someone else who violated the law.
Contact a Criminal Traffic Offense Lawyer Today
If you have questions about your legal rights or wish to discuss your traffic offense case with a Cincinnati criminal defense lawyer, contact Moermond & Mulligan, LLC for a free case review as soon as possible. We can address your concerns and begin work on your case immediately. Call us at (513) 421-9790 or fill out our online contact form to get started.
Last Updated: 03-24-2025