In attempts to crack down on illegal drag racing activities, the State of Ohio has extensive penalties associated with street racing. If you are convicted of an Ohio street racing violation, the increased legal implications now mean that you could face:
What may seem like a minor and youthful offense for speeding and adrenaline chasing could bear long-lasting implications for the rest of your life. Even if you weren’t directly involved in the drag racing, the law on street racing in Ohio includes punishment for both passengers and drivers of cars that were not directly involved. Fortunately for you, prosecutors must prove that you are guilty before you can be convicted of a street racing conviction. Therefore, you will likely want to hire an experienced Columbus attorney for Street Racing charges with experience in central Ohio courts.
Under section 4511.251of the Ohio Revised Code, “no person shall participate in street racing upon any public road, street, or highway in this state”.
Under Section 4511.251 of the Ohio Revised Code, street racing is defined as:
“the operation of two or more vehicles from a point side by side at accelerating speeds in a competitive attempt to out-distance each other”; or “the operation of one of more vehicles over a common selected course, from the same point to the same point, wherein timing is made of the participating vehicles involving competitive accelerations or speeds.”
As the definition is extremely broad, there is room for argument to be made in your favor and an experienced street racing defense attorney in Ohio will hold any allegations made by prosecutors to an extremely high standard.
If this is your first conviction for street racing, it will be categorized as a first degree misdemeanor and you will face a maximum fine of $1,000 and up to 6 months in jail. In addition to jail time and a fine, your vehicle may be seized and your driver’s license may be suspended for a period of 30 days to three years. You will also receive six points under Ohio’s driver license point system. For those who aren’t first time offenders, an Ohio charge of street racing is a fourth degree felony.
There are other circumstances under which street racing is a felony. If a person is physically injured or if there was property damage greater than $1,000 in the process, street racing is a felony of the fourth degree. Where nitrous oxide is used in the street race (even if it wasn’t you who used it in your vehicle), the penalty is typically increased by one degree.
To avoid severe repercussions and a conviction on your permanent record, you would be well served to contact a highly qualified street racing defense attorney. The Dominy Law Firm in Columbus, Ohio represents clients for drag racing charges in courts throughout central Ohio. If you are charged with Street Racing and want to schedule a free phone consultation, call us at 614-717-1177 or CONTACT US BY EMAIL.