OVI With Property Damage in Youngstown, Ohio
If you are in Ohio, then you are surely familiar with the seriousness of the punitive nature of charges for drunk driving or operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs. If your OVI results in serious damage to property, public or private, the consequences can be extremely serious. If you or a loved one is in a situation like this, then you will have to deal with the criminal charges of OVI along with criminal charges of property damage and a civil case for the same incident.
In a situation like this, it might feel like you are in deep mud. And that is why you need to connect with a professional for getting legal assistance. There might be many other contributory reasons that have caused the accident and the subsequent damage of property. And that is why you need to take help from a Youngstown OIV lawyer so that he or she can build the right defense for you. And when you are looking for such assistance, come to Youngstown Criminal Law Group. Our Youngstown criminal lawyer will surely help you with the case.
Ohio Laws for Property Damage With a Vehicle
According to Ohio Law, there are two criminal offenses regarding property damage.
- The first one is about the willful operation or wanton disregard of the safety of the property or the person involved in the accident. This is defined in Ohio Rev. Code §4511.20 and states that “no person shall operate a vehicle, trackless trolley, or streetcar on any street or highway in willful or wanton disregard of the safety of persons or property.” It is considered to be a minor misdemeanor. However, if the offender is already adjudicated guilty for breaking another traffic law within one year, then it becomes a fourth-degree misdemeanor. If the offender has committed two or more offenses last year, then it will be considered a third-degree misdemeanor.
- The second offense consists of the act of operating highway or off-street in willful or wanton disregard of the well being of any person or property involved in the accident. This violation is defined in ORC § 4511.201. This offense is considered to be a minor misdemeanor. But if there is one prior misdemeanor in one year, then it is considered to be a third-degree misdemeanor.
If you have been involved in an accident that has led to damage to public or private property, then understanding the gravity of the offense can be difficult. That is why you need to hire an experienced Youngstown criminal lawyer. Only a professional can explain the offenses and the degrees to you. And for consulting a Youngstown OIV lawyer, come to Youngstown Criminal Law Group.
Civil Consideration for OVI with Property Damage
Along with the charges of OVI, if you have been charged for property damage, you will need to worry about the civil charges that the property owner is going to file against you. He or she can take civil measures in order to obtain financial compensation from you for the damage to the property. This can be public or private property, a car, a house, realty, building; basically anything that the property owners can prove to be theirs.
If you don’t have liability insurance, then it is more likely that you will have to pay for the whole damage. Even if you have liability insurance, the insurance company might decide to exempt an accident that involves driving under influence. Hence, before claiming, you need to review the policies. Hire a Youngstown OIV lawyer who can help you in a situation like this.
Find the Best Youngstown OVI Lawyer in Ohio
Youngstown Criminal Law Group is the place where you can find the best and most experienced Youngstown criminal lawyer. Our lawyer will listen to you and create the right defense for you to minimize penalties. For more details or consultation, contact us today.