Protect Yourself. Talk to a Lawyer About Your Case
Enter Your Zip Code to Connect with a Lawyer Serving Your Area
Enter Your Zip Code to Connect with a Lawyer Serving Your Area
I was arrested for a DUI in Ohio. What penalties might I be facing?
Question:
I was arrested for a DUI in Ohio. What penalties might I be facing?
This article is provided for informational purposes only. If you need legal advice or representation,
click here to have an attorney review your case .
click here to have an attorney review your case .
This site does not provide legal advice and users of this site should not interpret any of the information presented here as legal advice. The information provided merely conveys general information related to commonly asked legal questions. We are not a law firm and the employees responding to questions are not acting as your legal attorney. You should ultimately consult with a Lawyer for your case.
Get Informed - DUI/DWI Law Information
We've got a large library of DUI and DWI law articles, Q&A's and other resources. Start here to learn about DUI laws, arrests, defense, penalties and more.
DUI Basics
Get the low down on the law and what you can expect if you're arrested and charged with a DUI.
Get the low down on the law and what you can expect if you're arrested and charged with a DUI.
Your DUI and the DMV
Besides the court and criminal charge the Department of Motor Vehicles will also bring you grief.
Besides the court and criminal charge the Department of Motor Vehicles will also bring you grief.
DUI Arrests, Police Reports, Arraignments, and Fees
After you're arrested, booked and released, you'll need to get ready for your arraignment.
After you're arrested, booked and released, you'll need to get ready for your arraignment.
DUI/DWI Charges and Penalties
After a DUI conviction expect fines, license suspension, DUI school, and sometimes jail.
After a DUI conviction expect fines, license suspension, DUI school, and sometimes jail.
Fighting a DUI
You may have options to lessen the sentence, get a reduced charge or get the case dismissed.
You may have options to lessen the sentence, get a reduced charge or get the case dismissed.
Getting Help with a DUI/DWI Charge
There are some things you can do yourself and some which require the help of an attorney.
There are some things you can do yourself and some which require the help of an attorney.
In the State of Ohio, any individual who is stopped on suspicion of drunk driving must take a sobriety test. If they refuse a blood or other chemical test, their driver’s license will automatically be suspended. They can appeal the suspension at their initial court appearance, which is usually held five days after their arrest. All non-commercial drivers who are age 21 or over are considered to be legally drunk if their blood alcohol content (BAC) registers .08 or more.
DUI Penalties in the Buckeye State
The Ohio DUI penalties can range substantially depending upon whether it was a first offense and if the person has a prior criminal record. The offense is most often charged as a misdemeanor crime with the corresponding penalties:
DUI Ohio Offense
Possible Jail Time
Fines to be Paid
Length of Suspension
First Time Conviction
3 days up to 6 months
$250 to $1,000
6 months to 3 years
Second DUI Conviction
10 days minimum or 5 days plus 18 days to 6 months of electronic home monitoring
$300 to $1,500
1 to 5 years and reinstatement fee of $450
Third DUI Conviction
30 days to 1 year or 15 days and electronic home monitoring of 55 days to 1 year
$800 to $10,000
3 years to permanent license suspension and mandatory vehicle forfeiture
An individual may be allowed to have limited driving privileges to get to and from their job, school or court-ordered treatment programs.
How an Ohio Drunk Driving Attorney Can Help
The drunk driving laws in many states have become much harsher, even requiring first-time offenders to spend time in jail. While the State of Ohio requires drivers to submit to a chemical test upon suspicion of driving under the influence, many times these tests are inaccurate. Whenever you are facing serious charges, it’s time to hire an experienced attorney who can help defend your rights and question the validity of any test results obtained by the police.
References: