Whether driving in Ohio or another state, it is always important to pay attention to the road. Recently, a man helped police track down an alleged drunk driver. While driving one morning, the man saw an approaching truck drifting in and out of its lanes and decided to take action. He turned to follow the truck and called 911. According to reports, the driver of the truck had hit a car and left the scene of the accident. The driver, a teenager, has been charged with felony hit and run with an injury in addition to misdemeanor DUI with an injury. Bond was set at $13,500.

The man followed the driver until he stopped and exited his car. The man continued to pursue the driver until he climbed a flight of stairs, where the man cornered him. The man waited there until the police arrived and arrested the suspect.

The driver in this case faces serious charges. Felony convictions can carry heavy penalties and have negative effects on a person's future employability. But DUI charges, even misdemeanors, also come with significant consequences. Convictions can result in fines, possible jail time, and the loss of a driver's license.

Our legal system provides all defendants with a number of rights secured by the Constitution. But the Constitution by itself does not guarantee that a defendant's rights will be preserved to their fullest extent. To do that, a defendant must have a zealous advocate who knows the law and the procedures germane to a criminal defense. An advocate can press the defendant's rights to their greatest effect and present the strongest defense available to him. While this may not necessarily result in a dismissal of the case, an experienced lawyer can mitigate some of the potential consequences stemming from a criminal charge.

Source: FOX23.com, "Good Samaritan captures hit & run, DUI suspect," Abbie Alford, Jan. 16, 2012.