Getting convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) a second time can have long-lasting implications. Get legal help following your second DUI arrest. Meet with a Columbus second offense DUI lawyer to review your legal options. Your attorney can explain how to fight back against your DUI charge.
Koffel | Brininger | Nesbitt has served more than 15,000 clients. Trust us to help you defend against a second driving under the influence conviction. For more information, schedule a case consultation with a Columbus DUI lawyer from our team.
Why You Should Hire a Columbus Second Offense DUI Lawyer
Your Columbus second offense DUI attorney will commit substantial time and resources to your case. They will find out why you were arrested for driving under the influence. On top of that, they will look at breathalyzer test results and other evidence that the prosecution may use against you. Your lawyer then considers how to help you avoid a conviction.
Depending on the circumstances of your case, your Columbus criminal defense lawyer could get a plea deal. Or, if a trial is required, your attorney will make sure you are prepared for court. No matter what happens, your lawyer remains accessible. Any time you have legal concerns or questions, your attorney will respond to them promptly.
Koffel | Brininger | Nesbitt is an Ohio criminal defense law firm with more than 30 years of experience. We have helped many people charged with driving under the influence dispute their charges and achieve outstanding case results. Let us represent you as you deal with the aftermath of a second DUI arrest. Contact us today.
For a free legal consultation with a second offense dui lawyer serving Columbus, call (614) 884-1100
Penalties for a Columbus Second Offense DUI Conviction
The penalties that come with a second driving under the influence conviction are more severe than those you may have received when you were convicted of a DUI for the first time. Below are some of the penalties you can face for a second DUI conviction.
Jail Time
Those convicted of a second DUI who have a blood alcohol content (BAC) below 0.17 are subject to a jail sentence ranging from 10 days to six months. If you are convicted of a second DUI and have a BAC of 0.17 or higher, or you REFUSE to submit to a chemical test, you will receive a minimum jail sentence of 20 days. This sentence may last up to six months.
Driver’s License Suspension
A second DUI conviction can result in a suspension of your driver’s license lasting up to 7 years. Based on Ohio Revised Code (ORC) Section 4510.14, if you ignore this suspension, you could be charged with on the grounds that you were operating a vehicle while subject to an operating a vehicle impaired (OVI) suspension.
Installation of an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) in Your Car
After you complete the terms of your driver’s license suspension, you may be required to have an interlock device in your car for at least one year. This breathalyzer device will not allow you to start your car if it detects that your BAC is above a preset limit.
Your second offense DUI lawyer in Columbus wants you to understand the short- and long-term ramifications of a conviction. With your lawyer’s guidance and support, you may be able to disprove the prosecution’s argument.
Columbus Second Offense DUI Lawyer Near Me (614) 884-1100
How First and Second DUI Offenses are Different
In Ohio, a first-time DUI conviction does not mean that you will go to jail. A first DUI conviction with a BAC below 0.17 may result in three days in jail or a requirement to complete a three-day driver intervention program (DIP). However, if you are convicted of a DUI with a BAC of 0.17 or higher, you may receive a six-day jail sentence or have to spend three days in jail and three days at a DIP.
Comparatively, a second DUI conviction carries a mandatory minimum jail sentence of 10 days. Along with jail time, you may face fines higher than those associated with a first DUI conviction. You may also be subject to vehicle immobilization and a lengthy suspension of your driver’s license.
With first and second offense DUI convictions, there are collateral consequences on top of criminal penalties. For instance, your conviction can appear on a background check, which can make it tough to land a job. Your criminal defense attorney can address frequently asked questions and any others you have about how a DUI conviction can impact you for a long time.
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Legal Defenses for a Second Offense DUI
In your case, the prosecution will do everything they can to prove that a conviction is warranted. Your DUI lawyer wants the court to see that your second driving under the influence charge should be dropped. To validate this point, they may argue any of the following:
- The police did not have a reasonable cause for stopping your car and arresting you for driving under the influence.
- Your field sobriety test (FST) was not administered correctly, leading to inaccurate results.
- You never received your Miranda warning, and any statements you made at the time of your arrest may be inadmissible.
- You were sitting in the driver’s seat of a parked car and not driving the vehicle when you were arrested.
Your lawyer accounts for your prior DUI conviction as they craft their argument. They may encourage you to enroll in an alcohol recovery program. In this program, you can receive professional help for an alcohol addiction. At the same time, joining this program can show the court that you are taking steps to avoid future DUI charges.
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Ask for Help from a Nationally Recognized Criminal Defense Law Firm
The team at Koffel | Brininger | Nesbitt knows how challenging it can be to contest a second driving under the influence charge. We are on your side throughout the legal process.
Allow us to assist you with your second offense DUI case. To get started, request a case consultation with a second offense DUI attorney in Columbus from our team.
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