Ohio Traffic & Vehicular Crimes Defense
Driving under suspension, reckless operation, hit-skip, fleeing, and vehicular homicide/assault. McCown, Fisher & Cremeans LPA defends these charges across nine Southern Ohio counties from offices in Ironton and Chesapeake, with more than 50 combined years of trial experience. Select a charge below for a detailed breakdown of the statute, how Ohio grades it, the penalties, and the defenses that apply.
Vehicular Homicide & Aggravated Vehicular Homicide
When a crash causes a death, the charge — and the exposure — depends on the alleged level of fault: from negligence to recklessness to OVI. The difference can be misdemeanor versus a first-degree felony with mandatory prison.
Vehicular Homicide & Aggravated Vehicular Homicide defense → R.C. 2903.08Vehicular Assault
When a crash causes serious injury, Ohio charges vehicular assault — a felony graded by fault, with a mandatory license suspension and prison exposure that climbs when OVI or recklessness is alleged.
Vehicular Assault defense → R.C. 4549.02Hit-Skip (Leaving the Scene)
“Hit-skip” charges hinge on knowledge — you can’t be guilty of leaving the scene of an accident you didn’t know happened. With injury or death, the stakes jump to felony prison time.
Hit-Skip (Leaving the Scene) defense → R.C. 2921.331Failure to Comply / Fleeing & Eluding
Fleeing or eluding a police officer can turn a routine stop into a felony — especially if the State alleges your driving created a risk of harm. A mandatory, multi-year license suspension comes with it.
Failure to Comply / Fleeing & Eluding defense → R.C. 4511.194Physical Control of a Vehicle
Physical control means being in the driver’s seat with the keys while impaired — without driving. It’s a first-degree misdemeanor, and it’s often a favorable resolution to an OVI because it avoids the OVI record and the mandatory license suspension.
Physical Control of a Vehicle defense →Why Early Defense Matters
The most consequential decisions in a criminal case are made early — often before the first court date. Evidence is fresh, witnesses are available, surveillance and body-camera footage still exists, and the prosecution has not yet committed to a theory. The sooner we are reviewing the stop, the search, and the State’s evidence, the more leverage you have. Call (740) 532-8744 for a free, confidential review.