OVI / DUI Secondary Consequences

A conviction for a DUI / OVI in Columbus and central Ohio can have severe consequences. The penalties imposed by a court are discusses on the ‘DUI / OVI Sentences’ page of this web site. Those penalties include a jail sentence, a license suspension, a fine, court costs, license points, a license reinstatement fee. They may also include an ignition interlock device, yellow license plates, vehicle immobilization or forfeiture, secure continuous remote alcohol monitoring (S.C.R.A.M.), drug/alcohol treatment, and probation. In addition to the sentence imposed by the court, there are secondary collateral consequences of a DUI / OVI conviction that can be more devastating than the court sentence. Those secondary consequences include:

• Auto Insurance: A DUI / OVI conviction will result in insurance premiums increasing significantly and may result in coverage being dropped by the insurance company.
• Other Insurance: A conviction may result in increased premiums for health insurance and life insurance.
• Public Record: A DUI / OVI conviction stays on your record forever and cannot be sealed (expunged).
• Employment: As a conviction is a permanent public record, it may affect current and prospective employment.
• Company Vehicles: A DUI / OVI conviction may result in the driver being unable to drive a company vehicle due to the policies of the company or the company’s insurance carrier.
• Education: A conviction may lead to consequences at the high school or college and may also affect student athletic eligibility.
• Military: A DUI / OVI conviction or pending case may bar acceptance into the military and may also trigger military discipline.
• Professional Licenses: A conviction may result in action being taken by boards that regulate professional license (e.g., the medical board, the nursing board, the bar, etc…).
• Parenting: A license suspension may affect one’s ability to transport children, and a conviction may affect custody/visitation arrangements.
• Immigration: A DUI / OVI conviction may affect the immigration status of a non-citizen.
• Travel: A conviction, or even an arrest, may affect one’s ability to travel to other countries, such as Canada

To avoid the potential secondary consequences of a DUI / OVI, it is necessary to avoid a DUI / OVI conviction. If the DUI / OVI charges are dismissed or reduced, there is no DUI / OVI conviction. To have a chance of getting DUI/OVI charges dismissed or reduced, you must plead not guilty, and your chances increase significantly by hiring a skilled DUI / OVI lawyer. If you decide to contest the case and it's in central Ohio, you will need a Columbus DUI / OVI attorney who has experience with DUI / OVI investigations and the DUI / OVI court process, as well as expertise in field sobriety tests, breath tests, blood tests, and urine tests.

Our practice is focused 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 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 we can help with your DUI / OVI case, EMAIL US or call us at 614-717-1177 to arrange a free consultation.