Drunk Driving Penalties
Consequences for DUI Conviction
There are serious penalties that go along with a drunk driving conviction that can seriously impact your future should you be convicted. A Columbus DUI attorney from the Law Office of James D. Owen, LLC has helped numerous clients to successfully fight their charges.
Below is a listing of the maximum penalties and the mandatory minimum penalties for OVI under Ohio law:
Penalties for 1st DUI offense:
- Maximum 180 days in jail
- Mandatory Minimum 3 days in jail or Driver Intervention Program (72 hours)
- Mandatory Minimum 6 days in jail if your alcohol level tested high or you refused a test and have a prior DUI conviction in the past 20 years.
- Maximum fine of $1,075
- Mandatory Minimum fine of $375
- Driver’s license suspension from 6 months to 3 years
- Yellow DUI plates possible in cases of high test or refusal of testing within past 20 years.
- Possible ignition interlock device
2nd offense:
- Maximum 180 days in jail
- Mandatory Minimum 10 days in jail
- Mandatory Minimum 20 days in jail if your alcohol level tested high or you refused a test and have a prior DUI conviction in the past 20 years
- Maximum fine of $1,625
- Mandatory Minimum fine of $525
- Driver’s license suspension from 1 to 5 years
- Mandatory yellow DUI plates
- Mandatory ignition interlock device installed
- 90 days immobilization of your vehicle
3rd offense:
- Maximum 1 year in jail
- Mandatory Minimum 30 days in jail
- Mandatory Minimum 60 days in jail if your alcohol level tested high or you refused a test and have a prior DUI conviction in the past 20 years
- Maximum fine of $2,750
- Mandatory minimum fine of $850
- Driver’s license suspension from 2 to 10 years
- Yellow DUI plates mandatory
- Ignition Interlock Device is mandatory
- Mandatory forfeiture of vehicle
A fourth DUI / OVI conviction is a felony and carries the possibility of time in a state prison, as well as other serious consequences. Don’t let these serious consequences happen to you! Contact our office today for aggressive legal representation.
Find out what the penalties for drunk driving can be by contacting a Columbus DUI Defense Lawyer today!