Big Changes Coming to Ohio’s DUI / OVI Law

Ohio’s OVI laws and how the court will handle your case underwent a significant change on April 6, 2017. There are several changes that I will outline below.  This change in the law was brought about by House Bills 388 and 436.  It was commonly referred to as the Ignition Interlock Bill or Annie’s Law.  An ignition interlock device is a breath-testing unit that is installed on a vehicle and is meant to prevent anyone who has been drinking from operating that vehicle.  This is a device that is installed on the ignition of a car, and it requires the driver to blow into it to start the vehicle.  The driver will also be prompted to continue to submit to breath tests while the vehicle is running.  If a minimum amount of alcohol is detected, the car will either not start or shut down.

Prior to April 6, 2017, if you took a breath test on your first OVI charge in a six-year time frame and tested over the limit, you would be eligible to apply for limited privileges after 15 days or 30 days if you refused to take a breath test.  You would be facing a minimum suspension of six months with limited privileges.  For multiple convictions, the penalties increase significantly.

After April 6, 2017:

• The court can still grant limited privileges without an interlock device, but courts now can grant privileges for any purpose the court determines to be appropriate.
• Prior to April 6, 2017, the mandatory suspensions that apply are:
  • First OVI Offense: 6 months to 3 years
  • Second OVI Offense: 1 to 5 years
  • Third OVI Offense: 2 to 10 years

After April 6, 2017, the mandatory suspensions that apply are:

• First OVI Offense: 1 to 3 years
• Second OVI Offense: 1 to 7 years
• Third OVI Offense: 2 to 12 years

• As an alternative to limited privileges, the court may grant “unlimited driving privileges” with an ignition interlock device. If the court does this, your ability to drive is not restricted at all.
• If you are granted unlimited privileges with an ignition interlock device, you must also get a special driver’s license from the BMV that indicates you are required to have an interlock device.
• While the minimum suspension for a first OVI doubled under the new law, the court may cut the suspension back to 6 months if the person is granted unlimited privileges with an ignition interlock device.
• If you choose to install an interlock device and have unlimited privileges, any mandatory jail time related to the OVI must be suspended.
• If you are granted unlimited privileges with an interlock device and you violate the terms of your privileges or attempt to drive after you have been drinking, the court shall impose the suspended jail time and double the license suspension or time without any driving privileges.
• If you violate the terms of your privileges or the device reports the driver to have too much alcohol in their system in the last 60 days of their suspension and the judge does not double the suspension, the judge is required to extend the suspension 60 days from the date of the violation.
• Prior to April 6, 2017, if a person is convicted of two OVI offenses in a six-year time frame, they are subject to increased mandatory minimum penalties. After April 6, 2017, this time frame is extended to 10 years.
• Prior to April 6, 2017, if a person is convicted of two OVI’s in a six-year time frame, they must have special yellow license plates on their vehicle designating them as a DUI driver in order to be able to exercise any driving privileges. After April 6, 2017, a person with a second OVI can be granted privileges without special plates.
• However, if, on a second OVI, that person is convicted of an OVI with a BAC in excess of.17 or a refusal of the test, they will still be required to have yellow DUI plates on their car in order to drive.
• Prior to April 6, 2017, if a person is convicted of two OVI’s in a six-year time frame while operating their own car, that car is subject to a 90-day immobilization, and it will be impounded, clubbed, or booted for three months despite that person’s eligibility for driving privileges after 45 days. After April 6, 2017, a person with a second OVI can have their car released from immobilization after 45 days when granted driving privileges at the court’s discretion.

The new law corrects a few problems in the law, but it also creates a few new issues.  Ignition interlock devices are not perfect, and when a driver has one installed, they are given a list of substances that can register a violation despite not having consumed alcohol.  These substances range from mouthwash to various food items.  This is concerning due to the new law’s requirement that if such a violation occurs, suspended jail time shall be imposed.  While “unlimited privileges” sounds nice to many people, it creates an issue for many areas of employment where the mere sight of such a device will cause someone to lose their job.  For this reason, it is essential to hire a DUI attorney who is up-to-date with all of the nuances of this frequently changing area of law.