Traffic Law

OVI/DUI/OMVI

Whether you have been charged with an OVI (Operating Vehicle Intoxicated), OMVI (Operating Motor Vehicle Intoxicated), or DUI (Driving Under the Influence), you have been charged with a serious criminal offense and can benefit from legal representation. Regardless of the actual name of the charge (OVI, OMVI, or DUI), the offense is essentially the same. Retaining legal counsel gives you the opportunity to have experienced counsel review the case against you, assess the risks, and then mount the proper defense.

The Potential Penalties for a DUI conviction are as follows:

1st Offense (1st Degree Misdemeanor)

• Administrative License Suspension (ALS)
• Minimum of three consecutive days or a three-day driver program
• Fines range from $375 to $1,075
• The Court can suspend your license from six months to three years
• ALS for test refusal is one year license suspension
• Driving Privileges may be granted
• Restricted plates or interlock devices may be ordered by the court
• Court may order treatment programs

2nd Offense (1st Degree Misdemeanor)

• ALS for one year
• Minimum of ten consecutive days in jail, or five days in jail and eighteen days to six months of monitored house arrest
• Fines range from $525 to $1,625
• Alcohol/drug assessment and recommended treatment is mandatory
• Immobilization of vehicle for 90 days
• Restricted license plates
• The Court can suspend your license for one to five years
• Driving privileges may be granted early

Suspended License

Ohio’s laws and penalties for driving with a suspended license vary depending upon the nature of the suspension. For example, a suspension could be an administrative license suspension, a court ordered suspension, a 12-point license suspension, or a suspension for failure to pay child support. Below are some potential penalties an individual may face for driving with a suspended license, but to know for sure, contact legal counsel.

• Typically charged as a 1st Degree Misdemeanor
• 0-180 days in jail
• Fines ranging from $0 to $1000
• Additional suspension of license
• Possible immobilization for the car
• Possible impoundment of license plates