A first DUI in Ohio (known as OVI in Ohio), results in both criminal and administrative penalties for adult offenders. Minors and commercial drivers charged with first offense DUI/OVI will face different penalties than those noted.
Administrative Penalties
- The first time you are arrested and convicted of drunk driving in Ohio, you will receive an Administrative License Suspension (ALS) of 90 days. This ALS suspension is independent of your court ordered suspension that will be from 6 months to 3 years in duration.
- Ignition interlock devices not required, but in an effort to obtain hardship/occupations driving privilege during suspension period, first offense drivers may be required to utilize an ignition interlock device.
- Treatment or assessments are not a requirement of reinstatement for first offenders.
- Reinstatement fee = $475
Criminal Penalties
- If your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was between .08%-.17% you may be required to serve a mandatory 72 hours in jail (and can be sentenced up to six months).
- If BAC above .17, offender faces minimum incarceration period of six (6) days.
- You will also be ordered to pay a fine between $250 and $1,000 and do not include costs incurred in completing terms of sentence (such as costs of attendance in driver intervention program), nor do they cover costs associated with license reinstatement.
- Convictions carry over and influence future DUI charges and sentencing for a period of six (6) years in the state of Ohio.
Get Help With Your OVI
If you have been arrested on an OVI charge in Ohio or any other state, get help from an experienced OVI attorney. Unlike other traffic related charges, which might be worth fighting without a lawyer, conviction for an OVI has serious consequences – especially if the incident involved injury to people or property, or if it’s your second or subsequent OVI. To avoid or reduce the consequences, your best bet is to find an attorney who is knowledgeable about your state’s laws and about how the system works in your county’s court. Don’t hesitate, contact our office for a consultation! Skip Potter is here to help!
Source: http://dui.drivinglaws.org/resources/ohio-first-offense-ovi-dui.htm
Article by Rich Stim
