The penalties for driving under the influence in Ohio are harsh, even for first-time offenders. Persons convicted of operating a vehicle under the influence (OVI) in Ohio face three days in jail and $375 at a minimum, among other penalties. Those who plead guilty and accept their state-sponsored punishment may think their penalties end after meeting their obligations. Unfortunately, some may discover an OVI/DUI conviction comes with long-term consequences.
Having a record reflecting a DUI/OVI conviction
Anyone arrested for a first-time OVI in Ohio faces a first-degree misdemeanor charge. A conviction means that a misdemeanor stays on a person’s record forever, as there is no chance for an expungement for an OVI. Not all OVI charges are misdemeanor ones, as repeat offenders could face felony charges. A felony conviction on someone’s record might have even worse long-term consequences.
Any mandatory license suspensions may cause ripple-effect problems when a person cannot drive. Commercial truck drivers could suffer from a financial catastrophe upon experiencing a license suspension. A DUI conviction that turns up on a background check may affect people seeking employment in other professionals as well.
Additional consequences of an OVI/DUI conviction
A DUI/OVI conviction could hamper someone’s life in many ways they did not imagine. Other effects might be more expected, such as paying massively high insurance premiums. Many insurers might not want to sell a policy to anyone with an OVI conviction, so they find themselves paying enormous premiums with high-risk insurers.
Even personal and professional relationships may suffer, as convictions come with stigmas. Whether fair or not, people might develop less-than-positive impressions about someone with an OVI conviction.