What Are Penalties if I’m Convicted of My Second OVI/DUI in Ohio?
Columbus, OH- For some Ohioans, a first OVI and the resulting penalties are not enough to discourage them from driving drunk again. Experts estimate that nearly 50 percent of people who are charged with their first DUI will be charged with a second. That along with the fact that drunk driving accidents kill an average of 400 motorists each year makes the penalties pretty stringent for a second DUI charge.
If you are facing a second or third or even fourth drunk driving charge, USAttorneys recommends you speak with an OVI/DUI lawyer in Columbus, Ohio to discuss your charges and your defense strategy. There are options you can explore to avoid a second drunk driving conviction and keep the charge of your record.
Under Ohio’s DUI laws, a DUI is considered a second offense if it occurred within six years of their first DUI conviction. That 6-year period is called the lookback period. If you agreed to a plea bargain within that lookback period, it will be considered a conviction and can be used for sentencing purposes.
Should you be convicted of a second DUI, you face a minimum of 10 days in jail up to a maximum of six months. Penalties for a second OVI conviction also includes probation, alcohol monitoring and the requirement that you attend an alcohol treatment program.
For your second DUI, you will also have your license revoked and the state will disable your vehicle for ninety days. Getting your license back after it has been revoked is harder than getting it back if it was just suspended. You must first get permission from the court and pay a fine.
The financial penalties don’t stop with reinstating a revoked license; you will also have to other administrative fees and high-dollar insurance premiums. Other penalties include fines between $525 and $1,625. Over time, your second DUI could cost you several thousand dollars.
A second OVI/DUI is no joke, and you could find yourself living with repercussions of your actions for years. USAttorneys urges anyone who has been charged with their second DUI contact speak with a defense lawyer to discuss the potential defense strategies to explore and work to have your penalties reduced if a conviction cannot be avoided (it happens).
Our team of DUI defense attorneys understands how to build a solid defense strategy and help you negotiate for a plea bargain or avoid conviction altogether. Our team Ohio lawyers has the skills and experience to minimize the consequences of your second DUI. We urge you to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible, so you don’t do or say anything that could negatively affect your case. The legal system is complicated and intimidating, so you need to have someone on your side who understands how the system works. Visit our website and set up a consultation with a defense lawyer. We are sure you won’t regret getting assistance with your charges.
