New Castle DUI Lawyers

If you are caught driving under the influence of alcohol, you could be charged with a DUI/OVI, which can significantly impact your life and career. You risk losing your driving privileges permanently and may face serious consequences in your professional life.

This is why it is crucial to contact a lawyer who can guide you through the legal process. They may be able to help reduce your penalties or even have the charges dropped. For expert legal assistance, turn to the Youngstown Criminal Law Group. Our experienced team will help you navigate your case, manage the consequences, and work towards a swift resolution.

Ohio DUI Laws

Under the Ohio Revised Code (ORC) 4511.19, it is illegal to operate a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. You can be charged with an OVI in Ohio under several circumstances, which is why having a skilled New Castle criminal lawyer is so important.

A charge can be based on the following conditions:

• Substance abuse involving alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both.
• Having a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher at the time of the incident.

There are several ways you can be charged with an OVI in Ohio. For example, if your BAC is high during an incident, you can be charged. The legal limit is 0.08% for a general driver and 0.04% for a commercial vehicle driver. A knowledgeable New Castle DUI lawyer can explain these limits in detail.

You can also be charged with a DUI even if your BAC is not over the legal limit. In this scenario, as per ORC 4506.01, the police must prove that you consumed a drug, substance, or even an over-the-counter medication that impaired your judgment and reflexes. A New Castle criminal lawyer can challenge this evidence.

Furthermore, according to ORC 4729.01, certain prescription drugs are classified as dangerous because they can impair judgment. Even if you have a legal prescription for these drugs, it may not be enough to build a strong defense on your own. Given the complexity of these laws, contacting an experienced New Castle DUI lawyer is a critical step.

Difference between OVI and DUI

There is no fundamental difference between an OVI and a DUI. Both are abbreviations for similar charges, and the terminology simply depends on how a state chooses to label the offense. In Ohio, the official term is Operating a Vehicle under the Influence, or OVI. A minor distinction is that for some charges, the prosecutor must prove the offender was actively driving while intoxicated. To handle these nuanced cases, it is essential to hire an expert New Castle criminal lawyer.

DUI Offenses Youngstown Criminal Law Group Handles

Our criminal lawyer team handles a range of DUI-related cases, including:

• First DUI Offense: This applies if it is your first DUI charge ever or your first within 10 years. You can be charged if your BAC is over the legal limit or if you are impaired by medication.
• Second DUI Offense: You will face a second DUI offense if you are charged again within 10 years of your first one. The penalties, fines, and potential jail time are significantly harsher.
• Third DUI Offense: This occurs if you are charged for the third time in 10 years. Consequences can include imprisonment, high fines, house arrest, and being required to use a yellow OVI plate on your vehicle once your license is reinstated.
• Physical Control of a Vehicle: Under ORC 4511.194, it is illegal to be in physical control of a vehicle while impaired. This is a misdemeanor with penalties less severe than a first DUI offense.
• Underage DUI or OVUAC: In Ohio, it is illegal for anyone under 21 to consume alcohol. If you are underage and found to be impaired by alcohol or prescribed drugs, you will need legal assistance from a New Castle DUI lawyer.
• Aggravated Vehicular Assault and Homicide: If you cause an accident while driving drunk that results in serious injury or death, you will face felony charges with much more severe penalties.

DUI Laws and Penalties

The penalties for DUI charges in Ohio vary widely. Getting these charges reduced or dropped often requires the help of a skilled New Castle DUI lawyer. Here is an overview of the potential penalties you could face.

First DUI (First-Degree Misdemeanor)

• Mandatory 3 days in jail or a 72-hour certified driver intervention program.
• Up to 6 months of imprisonment.
• Fines ranging from $375 to $1,075.
• Driver’s license suspension for 6 months to 3 years.
• Optional limited driving privileges after 15 days.
• Optional alcohol education and treatment programs.
• Optional yellow OVI license plate.
• Optional ignition interlock device.

First DUI with a High BAC or Chemical Test Refusal (First-Degree Misdemeanor)

• Mandatory 6 days in jail or a 72-hour driver intervention program.
• Up to 6 months in jail.
• Financial penalties from $375 to $1,075.
• Driver’s license suspension for 6 months to 3 years.
• Mandatory yellow OVI license plate.
• Optional limited driving privileges after 15 days.
• Optional alcohol education and treatment programs.
• Optional ignition interlock device.

Second DUI (First-Degree Misdemeanor)

• Between 10 days and 6 months in prison.
• Fines between $525 and $1,625.
• Probation.
• House arrest and/or electronic monitoring.
• Driver’s license suspension for 1 to 5 years.
• Limited driving privileges after 45 days.
• Mandatory yellow OVI license plates.
• Mandatory alcohol assessment, education, and treatment.

Second DUI with a High BAC or Chemical Test Refusal (First-Degree Misdemeanor)

• Between 20 days and 6 months in prison.
• Fines from $525 to $1,625.
• Probation.
• House arrest and/or electronic monitoring.
• Driver’s license suspension for 1 to 5 years.
• Limited driving privileges after 45 days.
• Mandatory yellow OVI license plates.
• Mandatory alcohol assessment, education, and treatment.
• Mandatory ignition interlock device.

Third DUI (First-Degree Misdemeanor)

• Between 30 days and 1 year in prison.
• Fines ranging from $850 to $2,750.
• Probation.
• House arrest and/or electronic monitoring.
• Vehicle forfeiture if the offender is the owner.
• Limited driving privileges after 180 days.
• Driver’s license suspension for 2 to 10 years.
• Mandatory yellow OVI plates.
• Mandatory alcohol assessment, education, and treatment.
• Mandatory ignition interlock device.

Third DUI with a High BAC or Chemical Test Refusal (First-Degree Misdemeanor)

• Between 60 days and 1 year in jail.
• Fines from $850 to $2,750.
• Probation.
• House arrest and/or electronic monitoring.
• Vehicle forfeiture if you own the vehicle.
• Limited driving privileges after 180 days.
• Driver’s license suspension for 2 to 10 years.
• Mandatory yellow OVI plates.
• Mandatory alcohol assessment, education, and treatment.
• Mandatory ignition interlock device.

First Felony DUI (Fourth-Degree Felony)

• Between 60 days and 30 months in prison.
• Fines from $1,350 to $10,500.
• Vehicle forfeiture if you own the vehicle.
• Driver’s license suspension from 3 years to life.
• Limited driving privileges after 3 years.
• Mandatory yellow OVI plates.
• Mandatory ignition interlock device.
• Mandatory alcohol and drug addiction program.

Second Felony DUI (Third-Degree Felony)

• Between 60 days and 5 years in prison.
• Fines from $1,350 to $10,500.
• Vehicle forfeiture if the offender is the owner.
• Driver’s license suspension from 3 years to life.
• Limited driving privileges after 3 years.
• Mandatory yellow OVI plates.
• Mandatory ignition interlock device.
• Mandatory alcohol and drug addiction program.

Consult a New Castle criminal lawyer at Youngstown Criminal Law Group. We will listen to your case diligently to offer you the best resolution for your situation. Call us at (330) 992-3036 today.