The sentence for an Ohio DUI / OVI conviction always consists of jail time, a license suspension, a fine, court costs, points on your license, and a license reinstatement fee. The sentence may also include an ignition interlock device, restricted (yellow) license plates, immobilization or forfeiture of the vehicle, secure continuous remote alcohol monitoring (S.C.R.A.M.), alcohol/drug treatment, and probation. The sentence for repeat DUI / OVI offenses is increasingly severe and may lead to inclusion in the DUI / OVI habitual offender registry. The table below summarizes the sentences imposed by judges for DUI / OVI convictions. In addition to the sentence imposed by the judge, there are secondary consequences of Ohio DUI / OVI convictions that can be devastating. If you were charged with this offense in a central Ohio court, you may want to contact a Columbus DUI / OVI lawyer.
You do not have to plead guilty to a DUI / OVI and accept the harsh consequences. In most cases, hiring an effective DUI / OVI lawyer in Columbus, Ohio and contesting the charges leads to a better outcome. Some people believe it’s impossible to get DUI / OVI charges dismissed or reduced, and other people seem to believe it’s easy. The truth is somewhere in between. It’s not easy, but it’s possible, and it happens in most of my cases. You cannot get your case over with quickly and get the DUI / OVI charge dismissed or reduced; you will have to choose one or the other. If you are interested in contesting the DUI / OVI charge, you will need an attorney with expertise in field sobriety tests, breath tests, blood tests, and urine tests, as well as experience with DUI / OVI investigations and the DUI / OVI court process.
For Ohio DUI / OVI convictions, there are mandatory minimum sentences, and there is also a wide range of possible sentences. For example, on a first offense, the mandatory minimum jail sentence is three days (and can be satisfied by a driver intervention program), but the jail sentence can actually be as long as six months. The minimum and maximum sentences depend on how many times you have been convicted of DUI / OVI in the last ten years and the last 20 years.
The following table summarizes the sentences for DUI / OVI. If the conviction is for a ‘high test’ (blood alcohol concentration over .170) or a ‘test refusal with prior conviction’ (in the last 20 years), the minimum jail sentence is doubled. As a disclaimer, please note that this table is a very simplified summary of DUI / OVI sentencing, there are variations to these sentences, city codes may have different details, and the sentences seem to be changed frequently by the state legislature.
| Offense Number | Jail Sentence | Fine | License Suspension | Time w/o Privileges | Immob. Forfeiture | Yellow Plates |
| First in 10 years | 3 days to 6 months | $375 to $1,075 | 1 year to 3 years | 15 days | No | Maybe |
| Second in 10 years | 10 days to 6 months | $525 to $1,625 | 1 year to 7 years | 45 days | 90 days | Yes |
| Third in 10 years | 30 days to 1 year | $850 to $2,750 | 2 years to 12 years | 180 days | Forfeiture | Yes |
| Felony (First) | 60 days to 30 months | $1,350- $10,500 | 3 years to Life | 3 years | Forfeiture | Yes |
| Felony (Second) | 60 days to 5 years | $1,350- $10,500 | 3 years to Life | 3 years | Forfeiture | Yes |
The Dominy Law Firm focuses on DUI / OVI defense, and we represent clients charged with DUI / OVI in Columbus and Central Ohio. For more information about our practice, please see the firm overview. You can also read what our clients say and review my our past case results. We limit the number of cases we accept so we can provide personal service to our clients. If you would like to discuss how the Dominy Law Firm can help with your DUI / OVI case, EMAIL US or call us at 614-717-1177 to arrange a free consultation.