Humans make mistakes. Some mistakes are easily fixable, yet others may have long-term consequences for the individual. For example, a person may have a beer or two with friends and believe they are perfectly fine to drive. They don’t learn they are impaired until they are pulled over by law enforcement and charged with driving under the influence.
For first-time offenders in Ohio, the penalties will be of both the administrative and criminal type. In an effort to minimize the penalties, any person charged with this crime should hire a DUI Lawyer in Cincinnati OH.
Administrative Penalties
Anyone who is convicted of a DUI for the first time in the state will have their license suspended for 90 days. This is referred to as an Administrative License Suspension and is separate from the suspension handed down by the court. The court-ordered suspension runs anywhere from six months to three years. No treatment will be required, but first-time offenders who wish to obtain a hardship or occupation exception with regard to their license must use an interlock ignition device. A $450 license reinstatement fee is also assessed.
Criminal Penalties
Individuals with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) between .08 and .17 percent immediately spend 72 hours in jail and may be sentenced to jail for up to six months. Those whose BAC is higher than 17 will spend six days behind bars. Fines will be assessed in addition to the jail time and range from $250 to $1,000. Furthermore, they don’t cover the cost of having the license reinstated or any costs that come with completing the terms of the sentence. The driver is responsible, for example, for the cost of a driver intervention program.
Due to the far-reaching consequences of a DUI conviction, individuals charged with this crime need legal representation. A DUI Lawyer in Cincinnati OH examines the case and looks to ensure proper procedure has been followed at all times. When it has not, the charges may be reduced or dropped completely.
If you have been charged with this crime, contact Engel & Martin Inc. The attorneys at this firm work with individuals every day who have been charged with driving while impaired and will be happy to assist you. Don’t let a mistake have a negative impact on every aspect of your life. They can help.
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