Parents whose child is charged with OVI in Hamilton County, Ohio, may not know how to help. Being charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated is a serious matter and can have long term consequences.
Once you know your child is safe, although in big trouble, your next thought should be finding an experienced Cincinnati OVI lawyer. Fortunately, Cincinnati, attorney Brad Groene with Luftman, Heck & Associates can help. He’ll lay out the legal options and mount a vigorous defense to lessen possible penalties.
It’s important to act fast and to advise your child not to speak to police or prosecutors. We are available 24/7. Call us at (513) 338-1890.
What to Expect If Your Child is Arrested for OVI
Parents understand that when legal trouble arises, they want to help no matter the child’s age. Age matters, though, when it comes to your child’s OVI charges.
Your adult children over 21 could be charged with OVI for driving impaired due to drugs or alcohol. For them, driving with a BAC of .08 or higher is illegal in Ohio. If younger than the legal drinking age of 21, your child can’t have more than .02 BAC while driving.
Understand, as well, that OVI applies to driving under the influence of drugs too. If an officer believes drugs are involved, blood tests will typically be used to detect the presence of drugs in the system.
If stopped in Hamilton County for suspicion of OVI and tests reveal probable cause, your child will be arrested and likely taken to taken to the Hamilton County Justice Center.
How long your child stays there may be determined by what day of the week they are arrested. If during the week, an “own recognizance” (OR) release or bail could be set quickly to allow your child to be released. But if on a weekend, they might have to stay until Monday.
Instead of trying to figure out the procedures after an arrest, your best move as a parent is to contact an OVI attorney at Luftman, Heck & Associates. We know the process and can work quickly to secure their release so that the arrest itself doesn’t adversely affect the child’s job or schooling.
Your child will be given a date and time for arraignment and will need counsel to protect his rights and work to mitigate potential consequences. Typically, the court appearance will be at the Hamilton County Court House. By working with an OVI attorney, you and your child will know which court to attend and when to show up.
Possible OVI Consequences
Conviction of an OVI offense brings significant penalties including incarceration, fines, driver’s license suspension, possible mandatory use of an ignition interlock device, requirement to use yellow OVI license plates, and requirements to enroll in alcohol and drug education and treatment programs. After incarceration, there may be probation for several years, too. And all these penalties are greater for those who are underaged.
Beyond potential incarceration, fines, and license issues, there are also collateral consequences to your child’s OVI arrest and conviction. They may face shame and judgment from family and friends, job loss, increased insurance rates, and possible trouble with their own child custody arrangements with a former partner. In addition, they may not be able to get security clearances, join the military, or be eligible for professional licensing.
Your child needs an OVI defense attorney to help prevent or reduce possible harsh penalties and collateral consequences when your child is charged with OVI.
Intervention Programs for First Offenders
There is a bit of relief providing in Ohio law for first time OVI offenders. If your child’s BAC was less than .17, about twice the legal limit, and it is a first offense, instead of a minimum three days in jail, the child could attend a three-day “Drivers Intervention Program.”
Understand that the sentence for a first-time conviction could also carry up to five years of probation, fines and fees, and a license suspension.
By working with an attorney who understands OVI law, your child could avoid or mitigate some of these penalties. Sometimes the first offense can be pleaded down to lesser offenses that could keep your child’s criminal and driving record clean.
Your Child Charged with OVI? Let LHA Help
Hearing your child is charged with an OVI in Hamilton County is upsetting and stressful. You’re worried about the long term effects on their future and you have reason to be. That’s why your child needs an experienced, top-rated advocate like Brad Groene with Luftman, Heck & Associates. Too much is on the line to go it alone and hope for the best.
Help your child get the defense he or she deserves. Call attorney Groene at (513) 338-1890, or contact us online. We are available 24/7 and offer free initial consultations.
