Operating a Vehicle While Under the Influence (OVI) is serious offense that carries significant consequences. It is essential to understand the impacts of an OVI offense, and how an experienced OVI defense attorney can help you navigate your case and work with you to achieve the best possible outcome.
What is an OVI?
The Ohio Revised Code strictly prohibits individuals from operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, a drug of abuse, or a combination of such alcohol and drugs. (R.C. § 4511.19). An OVI offense stemming from alleged consumption of alcohol may be classified as a low test or high-test OVI, depending on the results of blood tests, breath tests, and urine tests. First and second drunk driving offense within ten (10) years are treated are first-degree misdemeanors in Ohio.
Possible Punishments for OVI.
Beyond an OVI being on your permanent, public record, there are numerous other possible punishments that an individual facing OVI charges may face, including, but not limited to, the following:
Fines
Fines of up to $1,075 may be imposed, depending on how many prior OVI offenses you have had and the circumstances of your charge.
Jail
The minimum jail time for a first offense OVI is three (3) days, while the maximum is six (6) months, but the three (3) days may be completed through a Driver Intervention Program (DIP) instead of jail. If an individual has multiple OVI convictions, a longer jail term of up to sixty (60) days may be imposed. On a second OVI in 10 years, there is a minimum of 10 days in jail.
License Suspension
All OVI convictions require the judge to impose a license suspension lasting a minimum of one year, but these suspensions can be imposed for up to three (3) years for a first-time OVI offense, seven (7) years for a second time OVI offense, or ten (10) years for a third time OVI offense.
Other Punishments
OVI convictions carry six (6) points on a driving record and accumulating twelve (12) or more within two (2) years will result in a driver’s license suspension. A judge may require that an Ignition Interlock Device, which is a breathalyzer installed in your vehicle that prevents it from starting if the driver has been drinking alcohol. A judge may further require that an individual attends treatment or participates in substance use assessments.
Do you Need an Attorney for your OVI Case?
An OVI charge is a serious offense that can have lasting impacts on an individual and their record. Ohio OVI laws are everchanging, and having an attorney that can best understand the complexities of such laws is crucial to fighting your case. A knowledgeable attorney can assist you in receiving driving privileges during the pendency of your OVI case and following any convictions that may arise from your case, work with you to build a strong defense, file motions, and potentially reduce or eliminate some of the consequences associated with an OVI conviction.
Most of all, having an attorney for your OVI case allows you to have someone in your corner, fighting for you, every step of the way. With an attorney, you will not have to navigate the legal process alone, but instead, will have a team to understand your case and represent you.
Choosing the Right Attorney for your Case.
Having an experienced, reliable attorney that knows the ins-and-outs of OVI law on your side is the key to protecting yourself and your record following an OVI charge. At AJLJ Law Firm, our attorneys are prepared to help each client navigate the possible outcomes depending on the case. Our firm works diligently to provide outstanding OVI representation by reviewing evidence, filing pre-trial motions, identifying weaknesses in the state’s case, and helping you minimize the above-mentioned penalties associated with an OVI case.
