DUI And OVI In Ohio: Will There Be Jail Time and What Else?
DUI And OVI In Ohio: Will There Be Jail Time and What Else?
Those who are facing their first DUI charge are probably very apprehensive and wondering where they can find a good attorney to help them with their legal problems. Although laws vary by state, impaired driving is a serious criminal offense in most states, even if it is a first offense. The ramifications may last for a lifetime, so those who have received a DUI or OVI should immediately consult an attorney who specializes in the field.
What Is A DUI or OVI?
A DUI is driving under the influence while an OVI is operating a vehicle while impaired, whether the impairment is due to drugs or alcohol or a combination thereof. Ohio’s blood alcohol concentration, or BAC, is currently .08 percent. Anything above that amount is considered impaired. Below that level may be acceptable but can vary according to the individual.
What Are The Consequences Of A DUI Or OVI?
The degree and severity of the consequences of receiving a DUI or OVI may vary depending on several factors, such as:
• Whether there has been a prior conviction for the same offense
• Extenuating circumstances
• The results of the BAC test
• Judicial discretion
Immediate consequences can include jail time, driver’s license suspension, and substantial fines and penalties. If there has been property damage or loss of life, these consequences can increase exponentially and seem insurmountable. However, any DUI or OVI conviction will have expensive and lasting ramifications. In Ohio, a conviction for this offense will remain on a driving record for a lifetime. This can adversely affect an individual’s ability to:
• Obtain employment
• Obtain a mortgage or rent an apartment
• Travel internationally
• Become a naturalized citizen
• Enter the military
• Obtain a security clearance
• Obtain a professional license in law enforcement, medicine, education, finance, and many other fields
• Enroll in college, technical school or a university
Vehicle insurance rates for those who are convicted of a DUI or OVI are prohibitively expensive and an SR-22 filing may be required.
How Can an Attorney Mitigate The Damage Of A DUI Or OVI Conviction?
Those who are facing a charge of DUI or OVI should immediately contact an attorney who specializes in the field. We invite you to contact our knowledgeable and experienced attorney team at Spaulding & Kitzler of Mansfield and Mount Vernon, Ohio. Since knowledge of criminal law is important when defending a DUI or OVI charge, our experience can help you face what is ahead.
The state will not delay in filing charges, so it is best to be proactive about hiring an attorney. Not only may an attorney help reduce the charges, but they may also help you to prevent job loss, reduce negative financial impact, reduce jail time, alleviate stress, and minimize the long-term damage of a conviction.
We can formulate a strategy that will minimize the impact of the charges and possibly get some of them reduced or eliminated, depending on the circumstances. In addition, there are programs that can help an offender receive a reduction in the charges and their severity upon completion of the programs. Spaulding & Kitzler offers free consultation for DUI/OVI case, so please do not hesitate to contact us right away!