Penalties for First OVI in Warren, Trumbull County, Ohio

Most people arrested for OVI (Operating a Vehicle Impaired) in Warren, Trumbull County, Ohio have no prior criminal records. Having an experienced  Warren OVI lawyer can be incredibly valuable in these situations.

Costs and Financial Impact of a First OVI

Fines and Fees

A first-time OVI charge in Ohio can be quite costly. Offenders must pay fines ranging from $375 to $1,075, plus additional court costs. To reinstate their driver’s license, they will need to pay an additional $475 fee.

Income Loss

The financial burden extends beyond fines. Offenders may experience income loss due to time spent in jail, attending court hearings, and meeting with a Warren criminal attorney. This can be a stressful and challenging experience.

Additional Consequences of an OVI

Jail Time or Intervention Program

If the offender’s blood alcohol content (BAC) is between .08 and .17 percent and they submitted to chemical testing, the judge will sentence them to either three days in jail or three days in a Driver Intervention Program (DIP). The offender is responsible for covering the costs of the program, which is a specialized 72-hour course approved by the court that educates drivers about drugs and alcohol.

Higher BAC Penalties

For offenders with a BAC over .17 percent, the judge has two options:

1. Three days in the Driver Intervention Program plus three days in jail
2. Six days in jail

This also applies to individuals who have previously refused a breath test and were convicted of OVI within the past 20 years.

License Suspension

Automatic Suspension

Upon arrest for a first-time OVI, the offender’s license is automatically suspended by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. The judge can impose an additional suspension known as a Class Five license suspension, lasting from six months to three years.

Occupational Driving Privileges

After serving part of the suspension, offenders can petition for “occupational driving privileges,” allowing them to drive to and from work or school.

Ignition Interlock Device and Party Plates

Ignition Interlock Device

Offenders with a BAC over .17 percent may be required to install an ignition interlock device in their vehicle. This device requires the driver to blow into it before starting the car. If alcohol is detected, the vehicle won’t start. The device also performs random retests to prevent someone else from bypassing the system.

Party Plates

Alternatively, the judge may require offenders to use yellow license plates, commonly known as party plates, on their vehicle.

First OVI ALS Suspensions

Refusal to Submit to Testing

First-time OVI offenders who refuse to submit to a blood, breath, or urine test face an automatic one-year license suspension by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

Testing and High BAC

Submitting to testing but having a BAC over .08 percent results in a 90-day suspension. Additionally, the judge will impose a further suspension lasting from six months to three years.

First OVI Driving Privilege Limitations

Petition for Limited Driving Privileges

After an OVI arrest, offenders can request limited driving privileges by filing a petition with the court jurisdiction where they were arrested. This could be a county court, municipal court, or mayor’s court. For drivers under 18, the petition must be filed in juvenile court.

Reinstating Driving Privileges After a First OVI

Steps to Reinstatement

To reinstate a driver’s license after a first OVI conviction, the offender must complete the following steps as outlined in Ohio Revised Code Section 4510.038:

• Pay the reinstatement fee
• Serve the suspension ordered by the judge
• Provide proof of insurance to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles at the address below:

Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles

Attn. Reinstatement (RE) Fee

P. O. Box 16520

Columbus, Ohio 43216-6520

Summary of Penalties for a First OVI in Warren, Trumbull County, Ohio

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