DUI Penalties & DUI Sentences in Columbus

Being charged with an DUI or OVI carries serious penalties.  Contact our Columbus DUI lawyer today, who has 20 years of experience as a Columbus DUI Lawyer.

Administrative License Suspension

If you take an alcohol test and you over the limit, or if you refuse to take a test, the officer will take your license on the spot and place you under an Administrative License Suspension (A.L.S.). An Administrative License Suspension is a BMV suspension of your driver’s license that can be imposed before any court intervenes. Here are some more details concerning A.L.S.

• If you failed the chemical test, your immediate suspension period is 90 days and no driving privileges are given for the first 15 days.
• If you refused to take the test, your immediate suspension period is one year and no driving privileges are given for the first 30 days.
• In some counties the Court routinely will grant a stay of the ALS.
• ALS OVI Penalties can remain even if you are found not guilty

1st DUI or OVI Offense in Columbus, Ohio

The DUI Penalties for conviction are a fine of $375 up to $1075 plus court costs.  72 consecutive hours in jail or a driver’s intervention program is the minimum you can expect. Your license will be suspended for at least 6 months. You may be allowed limited privileges after the “hard time” waiting period of 15 days.

2nd DUI or OVI Offense

For the second OVI offense OVI Penalties are a minimum of 10 consecutive days in jail.  You will also be fined at least $525 plus court costs.  Driving with a restricted red and yellow “family” license plate for 1-5 years.  Once you have a yellow restricted license plate, Police and others take note.   If you were driving your registered vehicle at the time of the offense, it will be immobilized for 90 days.

3rd DUI or OVI Charge

Should you be found guilty of a 3^rd DUI charge, DUI Penalties are at least 30 consecutive days in jail. You will also be fined at least $850 plus court costs. Minimum of 30 consecutive days in jail.   You will receive a restricted license plate.  If you were driving your vehicle at the time of the offense, it will be forfeited.

Felony DUI/ OVI Offense in Columbus Ohio

A fourth or fifth offense in six years, or a sixth offense in twenty years, constitutes a felony DUI.   If you are charged with a felony DUI, you need to contact a DUI lawyer immediately. Felony OVI/DUI offenses carry mandatory jail time and license suspensions for at least three years.