2nd, 3rd & 4th DUI Charges in Ohio

Get the Defense of a Columbus DUI Lawyer

A first drunk driving conviction is a misdemeanor criminal offense with accompanying penalties. The justice system is not sympathetic to those who drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol and will send a message to the offender at the time of sentencing. If the driver did not get the message and ends up arrested again for a DUI/OVI, the punishments become more significant with each occurrence.

Keep in mind that repeat offenders can face up to 5 years of mandatory imprisonment. If their repeat offense is also categorized as a felony DUI, then he or she could face an additional, non-mandatory sentence of 9-36 consecutive months upon discretion.

Aside from the harsh sentencing handed down by a judge, a DUI can affect other aspects of life like loss of employment, reputation, loss of child custody rights, increased insurance premiums, and more.

What if You're Arrested for More than One DUI?

In addition to points on a driver's license and payment of license reinstatement fees, the following penalties are for two or more convictions:

• Second offense – 10 days to 6 months in jail, $525-$1,625 fines, 1-5 years driver's license suspension, mandatory yellow DUI plates and ignition interlock device, 90 day forfeiture of vehicle
• Third offense – 30 day to 1 year in jail, $850-$2,750 fines, 2-10 years driver's license suspension, mandatory yellow DUI plates and ignition interlock device, mandatory forfeiture of vehicle
• Fourth offense – within 6 years, 4th degree felony with up to 36 months in jail, fines $1,350-$10,500, license suspension for 3 years to life, mandatory yellow DUI plates, ignition interlock device and vehicle forfeiture, alcohol treatment programs.

Subsequent fifth offense within 20 years can mean up to 5 years in jail and permanent loss of driving privileges, and mandatory participation in alcohol treatment programs. Penalties can increase if the driver's alcohol level (BAC) was excessively high or the driver refused to submit to testing conducted by the arresting officer. Leaving the scene of a DUI caused accident is an additional crime.

If charged with both a repeat offense and a felony DUI, you could face sentencing as a repeat offender (up to 5 years of incarceration) as well as sentencing for your felony DUI (9 – 36 months of incarceration).

Fighting OVI Evidence in Ohio

The tests performed to detect the amount of alcohol or drugs present in the driver are often inaccurate or misleading. The suspected impaired driver usually submits to these tests on the side of the road, often in the dark, and in an uncontrolled environment. It is easy to err when dealing with blood or urine tests if the tester does not follow the specific protocol and exact procedures. Mistakes can happen that affect the validity of evidence. OVI/DUI offenses are serious and a conviction can stay on your record for a long time.