Felony OVI
You may be facing felony operating a vehicle impaired (OVI) charges if you were previously convicted of OVI or you caused serious or fatal injuries while driving under the influence (DUI). The penalties for a felony OVI conviction are much more severe than misdemeanor offenses, and they often include significant fines, lengthy suspension or even revocation of your driving privileges, forfeiture of your vehicle and mandatory jail time.
Felony convictions can also carry profound consequences on your ability to find employment as well as your rights to vote, possess firearms, hold public office, serve on a jury or receive federal benefits. The devastating nature of these felony DUI consequences makes it imperative that you seek qualified legal representation to defend your rights.
Dayton Felony OVI Lawyer
If you are facing felony OVI charges in Montgomery County, it is of the utmost importance to begin working with an attorney who will immediately begin building the strongest possible defense. The experienced DUI lawyers at the Joslyn Law Firm provide criminal defense services for individuals throughout Central Ohio.
Our skilled OVI attorneys understand the negative impact a felony conviction carries, and we are dedicated to helping you achieve the most favorable outcome to your case. You can contact the Joslyn Law Firm by sending us a message online or calling (937) 356-3969 to schedule a free, confidential consultation.
Montgomery County Felony OVI Information Center
Felony OVI Charges in Ohio
An OVI offense is considered a fourth-degree felony under Ohio Revised Code § 4511.19 if:
- You have three or four previous OVI convictions within six years of the most recent offense
- You have five or more previous OVI convictions within 20 years of the most recent offense
Additionally, your DUI offense can be considered a third-degree felony if you were previously convicted of or pleaded guilty to any felony, regardless of when that violation occurred.
Additional Felony OVI Offenses
You may also be facing felony DUI offenses if you were involved in an accident that resulted in serious bodily injury or death. There are two different charges for these specific scenarios:
- Aggravated Vehicular Assault — You may be charged with a third-degree felony under Ohio Revised Code § 2903.08 if you were OVI or had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) over the legal limit and caused serious physical harm to another individual or unborn baby.
- Aggravated Vehicular Homicide — You may be charged with a first-degree felony under Ohio Revised Code § 2903.06 if you were OVI or had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) over the legal limit and caused the death of another individual or the unlawful termination of another individual’s pregnancy.
Felony OVI Penalties
Any felony conviction will involve harsh penalties, and a fourth-degree felony OVI conviction means you could be sentenced under Ohio Revised Code § 4511.19 to:
- A maximum prison term of 30 months
- Fines of up to $10,000
- Possible Lifetime Suspension of Driver’s License
- Mandatory Addiction Treatment
- Forfeiture of Your Vehicle
- Restricted License Plates, (a.k.a. “Scarlet Letter” DUI Plates)
- Ignition Interlock Device
The prison terms and dollar amounts of the fines can increase in a third-degree or first-degree felony cases.
Find the Best Felony OVI Lawyer in Dayton
If you were arrested for DUI and are now facing felony OVI charges, you should contact the Joslyn Law Firm to begin developing a legal defense strategy. Our knowledgeable DUI attorneys represent clients in Montgomery County and surrounding areas of Central Ohio.
We are committed to providing an aggressive defense for all of our clients, and we will work tirelessly to fight the allegations you are facing so you can regain your peace of mind. Contact the Joslyn Law Firm today to schedule a free consultation by calling (937) 356-3969 or sending us a message online.
