Super DUI / OVI Attorney In Independence, Ohio

Many people mistakenly believe that any charge for driving or operating a vehicle under the influence (DUI / OVI) is the same regardless of the facts involved in the incident. Under Ohio law, however, there are many different types of DUIs / OVIs that carry a variety of penalties depending on the number of prior drunk driving convictions that the defendant possesses. The reason for these increased penalties is that the state sees repeat offenses as an increased public safety risk. Regardless of whether this is your first or a subsequent offense, having an experienced Cleveland DUI attorney on your side can help you understand your legal options. Our skilled criminal defense team has represented numerous drivers in Akron and Cuyahoga County fight DUI / OVI charges, and can help you determine your next steps.

Ohio’s Super DUI / OVI Laws

In Ohio, any individual who operates a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content of 0.08 or greater has committed the offense of DUI / OVI. In instances where your BAC is above 0.17 or above, the penalties that you face are much stricter. For a urine test, 0.238 or above is considered a high test result, while a blood serum or plasma test of 0.204 or greater is also considered a high test result.

If this is your first offense, you will be required to wait two weeks before your driving privileges are reinstated, and you may be required to install an ignition interlock device in your vehicle before you can drive again. You also face a first-degree misdemeanor charge on your record.

For a high-test DUI / OVI, defendants can face six months of jail time according to Ohio Revised Code Section 4511.19, including the three-to-six days that you must serve following your initial detention. If the judge grants you unlimited driving privileges provided that you install an ignition interlock device, your jail sentence will be suspended. The fines associated with a high-test DUI / OVI range between $375 to $1,075.

As part of sweeping reforms to Ohio’s drunk driving laws enacted in 2017, courts are now placing more emphasis on ignition interlock devices in order to reduce license suspensions and to expand the type of privileges that someone can be granted while they carry out their suspension sentence.

Once the court enters a conviction, it can also impose long-term penalties on your ability to drive. The court has the choice of suspending your license for one to three years, as well as the option to require installation of an ignition interlock device. Finally, you may also be required to undergo a five-year probation period depending on whether the presiding judge deems it necessary.