Gahanna Mayor’s Court

GAHANNA MAYOR’S COURT

DUI, CRIMINAL & TRAFFIC ATTORNEY

If you have been charged with a DUI / OVI in Gahanna, Ohio, your case may be filed in the Gahanna Mayor’s Court. Whether your case is filed in the Gahanna Mayor’s Court or in the Franklin County Municipal Court will depend where you were stopped or pulled over and whether you were pulled over and cited by a Gahanna police officer or by Columbus police or Ohio Highway Patrol.

WHAT KINDS OF CASES ARE HEARD IN THE GAHANNA MAYOR’S COURT?

The Gahanna Mayor’s Court hears traffic cases and all other criminal misdemeanor charges, including DUI / OVI (operating a vehicle under the influence) cases. This includes, for example:

Our firm defends clients facing all traffic and criminal charges brought in the Gahanna Mayor’s Court.

SHOULD I HIRE AN ATTORNEY FOR MY GAHANNA MAYOR’S COURT DUI OR CRIMINAL CASE?

If you have been charged with a DUI / OVI, criminal misdemeanor or traffic charge in the Gahanna Mayor’s Court, we would highly recommend at least speaking with an Ohio attorney that practices in the Gahanna Mayor’s Court. Many attorneys (including our firm) offer a free initial consultation. At the very least, talking to a lawyer can help you to understand the potential penalties you are facing and what your options might be in your case.

I WAS ARRESTED AND CHARGED WITH A DUI IN THE GAHANNA MAYOR’S COURT. WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

First, talking to an Ohio DUI attorney that practices in the Gahanna Mayor’s Court is essential. Our firm offers free initial consultations. That means that we can take a preliminary look at your case — based on what you remember about the stop and any field sobriety tests or breath alcohol tests — and give you our thoughts on what options you could have in your case.

Ohio DUI attorney Douglas Riddell explains in the video below what will likely happen next in the Gahanna Mayor’s Court after you are charged with a DUI. This video provides general information about court procedure. Remember, you should always speak with an attorney about the specific facts and circumstances of your case.

CAN I HAVE A JURY TRIAL IN THE GAHANNA MAYOR’S COURT?

No. The Gahanna Mayor’s Court is not a court of record and is not authorized under Ohio law to conduct jury trials. If you are charged with a DUI or other criminal offense in the Gahanna Mayor’s Court and want your case to go to a jury trial, you have the right to transfer your case to the Franklin County Municipal Court.

In fact, you have the right to transfer your case to the Franklin County Municipal Court at any time for any reason. Further, if a defendant is convicted in the Gahanna Mayor’s Court, he or she may appeal their conviction to the Franklin County Municipal Court.

There may be some advantages, however, to having your case heard in the Mayor’s Court. For example, a hearing in a mayor’s court is generally more informal, may have evening hours, and may be more conveniently located than the Franklin County Municipal Court.

There are both pros and cons to having your case heard in a mayor’s court, depending on your specific situation. Consulting with an experienced Ohio DUI attorney on this issue is critical to ensure the best possible outcome given the circumstances of your case.

Typically, if you hire Riddell Law as your attorney, we will consult with you and advise whether it is best based on the facts of your case to have your case heard in the Gahanna Mayor’s Court, or to transfer the case to the Franklin County Municipal Court.

Once that decision is made, Mr. Riddell will likely arrange it so that you do not have to appear in court for your first court date. He will handle it for you. This way, you do not have to worry about taking off work or otherwise arranging your schedule to go to court. After that first court appearance (which is called your “arraignment”), Mr. Riddell will continue to gather information about the facts of your case, evaluate possible flaws in the prosecution’s case, and negotiate with the prosecutor for a favorable resolution of your case. If negotiations fail, Attorney Doug Riddell will conduct motion hearings and a trial as necessary to ensure the best possible outcome.

CAN I LOOK MY CASE UP ONLINE?

Yes. Just type in your information on the Gahanna Mayor’s Court Public Access Page.

WHERE IS THE GAHANNA MAYOR’S COURT?

The Gahanna Mayor’s Court is located in the Gahanna City Hall Building at 1200 South Hamilton in Gahanna, Ohio. The Gahanna Mayor’s Court is generally in session beginning at 9 a.m. each Thursday.

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I WOULD LIKE TO TALK TO AN ATTORNEY ABOUT MY CASE. WHO SHOULD I CALL?

To begin the process and discuss representation for your Gahanna, Ohio DUI, traffic or criminal charge, call Attorney Doug Riddell directly at 614-361-2804. Because we know DUI charges rarely happen during 9:00-5:00 working hours, we are available to take your call after hours, on evenings, weekends, and holidays.