Ohio's D.U.I. Laws
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IF YOU DRINK AND DRIVE, YOU ARE COMMITTING A SERIOUS CRIME WHICH HAS SWIFT AND SURE CONSEQUENCES THAT ARE HARD TO IGNORE.
Administrative License Suspension (ALS)
If you are stopped for drunk driving and you refuse to take the sobriety test, or if your test results exceed the legal limit of Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC), the officer can take your driver's license on the spot, and the suspension begins immediately.
Depending on previous offenses or refusals, you can have your license automatically suspended for a period of 90 days to five years.
The administrative suspension is independent of any jail term, fine or other criminal penalty imposed in court for a DUI offense.

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1st Offense
Administrative License Suspension (ALS) for a prohibited BAC;
ALS for test refusal = one year license suspension;
Jail - Minimum of three consecutive days or 3-day driver intervention program;
Fine - Minimum $200 and not more than $1,000;
Court License Suspension - 6 months to 3 years.

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2nd Offense
ALS for one year for a prohibited BAC;
ALS for test refusal = two year license suspension;
Jail - Minimum of 10 consecutive days or five days jail + minimum 18 consecutive days of electronically monitored house arrest combined, not to exceed 6 months;
Fine - Minimum $300 and not more than $1,500;
Discretionary driver's intervention program;
Vehicle immobilization and plates impounded for 90 days;
Court License Suspension - 1 year to 5 years.

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3rd Offense
ALS for two years for a prohibited BAC;
ALS for test refusal = three year license suspension;
Jail - Minimum 30 consecutive days to one year;
Alternative sentence - 15 days or Jail + minimum 55 consecutive days of electronically monitored house arrest combined, maximum of one year;
Fine - Minimum $500 and not more than $2,500;
Mandatory attendance in an alcohol treatment program paid for by offender;
Vehicle immobilization and plates impounded for 180 days;
Court License Suspension - 1 year to 10 years.

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4th or More Offense or Motor Vehicle Related Felony
ALS for three years for a prohibited BAC;
ALS for test refusal = five years license suspension;
Jail - Minimum of 60 consecutive days and up to one year in jail;
Fine - Minimum $750 and not more than $10,000;
Mandatory drug/alcohol treatment program paid for by offender;
Vehicle Forfeiture - Mandatory criminal forfeiture of vehicle operated by offender, imposed by court;
Court License Suspension - 3 years to Permanent Revocation.

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APPEAL PROCESS FOR ADMINISTRATIVE LICENSE SUSPENSION (ALS)
The court must hold the administrative license suspension hearing within five days of arrest. The appeal is heard at this initial appearance if requested. The scope of appeal is confined to four issues.
1. Was the arrest based on reasonable grounds?
2. Did the officer request the person to take a test?
3. Was the violator made aware of the consequences if he/she refused or failed the test?
4. Did the person refuse or fail the test?
NOTE:
A court may still issue a suspension even if 1-4 is proven by defendant if court finds the person is a threat to public safety.


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DRIVING UNDER DUI SUSPENSION OR DRIVING UNDER SUSPENSION WITHOUT INSURANCE
The court is authorized to order vehicle immobilization and impoundment of the license plates at the time of sentencing for:
Driving under DUI Suspension
FRA Suspension
(without insurance)

First Offense: 30 days
(First Offense: 30 days)

Second Offense: 60 days
(Second Offense: 60 days)

Third Offense: Forfeiture
(Third Offense: Forfeiture)

NOTE:
For multiple DUI offenders under suspension, the court may also impound the plates of any other vehicle owned by the offender.

PERMITTING A PERSON WITH NO LEGAL RIGHT TO DRIVE OR OPERATE YOUR VEHICLE
First Offense: 30 days for state offenses only.

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VEHICLE FORFEITURE
Permanent loss of vehicle shall be ordered by the court for any of the following:
A) Third offense of DUI within six years;
B) Third offense or more of Driving Under FRA Suspension within five years;
C) Second offense of owner knowingly permitting a person who is under suspension to
drive their vehicle;
D) First offense of driving a vehicle that is immobilized and plates impounded.

REINSTATEMENT FEES

Section 4511.191 (L)(a thru e) of the Ohio Revised Code

Operator License Reinstatement Amount

DUI Arrest Date on/after 11/03/00
$425.00

Section 4509.101 (A5a) of the Ohio Revised Code
Non-Compliance Reinstatement Amount

Incident/Accident after 04/19/95 First Offense
$75.00

Second Offense within 5 years
$250.00

Third Offense within 5 years
$500.00

Note:
There is a $50.00 additional non-voluntary surrender fee on all of the above non-compliance suspensions if the driver license and registration plates are not surrendered in the required amount of time.

Section 4511.951(A) of the Ohio Revised Code
Non-Resident Reinstatement Fee Amount

Non-Resident Violator Compact Suspension
$12.50

If mailing date on Suspension Notice is 10/01/97 or greater
$30.00

Section 4503.233 (A2e) of the Ohio Revised Code
Vehicle Registration Reinstatement Fee Amount

Immobilization
$100.00

And then there's this: