DUI Attorney 45424

DUI Attorney 45424

Nobody wants to get a DUI on their criminal record, but it often happens to those who decide to drive while impaired. In Ohio, a DUI is more commonly known as operating a vehicle while impaired (OVI). It is often charged as a misdemeanor, but it comes with strict penalties, such as fines, license loss, and jail time. 

The OVI/DUI laws in Ohio can be complicated. That is because, unlike other states, there are many ways to determine intoxication. Get help by contacting the experienced Huber Heights criminal defense lawyers at The VanNoy Firm.

What the Law Says

Under Ohio Revised Code Section 4511.19, there are multiple ways in which a person can be charged with an OVI offense. They include the following:

• A blood or breath alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher
• A urine alcohol concentration of 0.11 or higher
• Blood plasma or serum level of 0.096 or higher
• A concentration of 500 nanograms per milliliter of amphetamines in their urine, or more than 100 nanograms per milliliter of whole blood, blood serum, or plasma 
• A concentration of 150 nanograms per milliliter of cocaine in their urine, or at least 50 nanograms per milliliter of whole blood, blood serum, or plasma

Aggravated charges may apply if a driver has a blood alcohol content of at least 0.17. These are also known as “aggravate” or “super” OVI charges and are subject to increased penalties. For a first offense, the penalties are three days in jail and three days in a driver’s intervention program.

For a second aggravated offense, the person must spend 20 days in jail or 10 days in jail and 36 days on house arrest with alcohol monitoring. For a third aggravated offense, the driver must spend 60 days in jail or 30 days in jail with 110 days on house arrest with alcohol monitoring.

OVI Penalties

OVI penalties are determined by the number of offenses a person has committed. For a first offense, fines range from $375 to $1,075. A driver may get their license suspended for one to three years and they may spend up to six months in jail. 

For a second offense, the fines increase, ranging from $525 to $1,625. A person may spend up to six months in jail and get their license suspended for one to seven years. For a third offense, jail time may extend to one year. The fines increase, ranging from $850 to $2,750. A person can get their driver’s license suspended for one to 12 years. 

Contact Us Today

Sometimes people make mistakes, but an OVI conviction can stay on a person’s criminal record for a long time and affect a person in many ways.

Don’t handle an OVI on your own. Seek legal help from the Huber Heights criminal defense lawyers at The VanNoy Firm. We’ll work hard to provide you with aggressive representation and a solid defense. Call (937) 952-5043 or fill out the online form to schedule a consultation today.