You are in disbelief that you have been charged with driving under the influence (DUI) for a third time. If you are convicted, you face steep penalties. Talk with a Columbus third offense DUI lawyer. From here, your attorney can start working on your legal defense right away.
For more than 30 years, Koffel | Brininger | Nesbitt has been helping those dealing with driving under the influence charges and others avoid convictions. Allow a Columbus DUI lawyer from our team to help you with your third offense driving under the influence case. Contact us today.
Reasons to Hire a Third Offense DUI Lawyer
It is incredibly difficult to contest a third offense DUI charge. Thus, if you go through the legal process alone after a third DUI arrest, you could make mistakes that lead to a conviction. Meanwhile, the penalties for a third DUI are harsher than those for a first or second offense. If a prosecutor is successful, you will be punished to the fullest extent of the law.
Your Columbus third offense DUI attorney is your legal representative and advocate. They will ask you questions about your third DUI charge and your previous driving under the influence convictions. Next, your Columbus criminal defense lawyer can craft an argument designed to show the court why you should not be convicted.
Koffel | Brininger | Nesbitt has provided legal services and support to thousands of clients. We can explain how you can get out of a DUI charge in Ohio and what it will take to achieve your desired case outcome. Speak with us about your third offense DUI case.
For a legal consultation with a third offense dui lawyer serving Columbus, call (614) 884-1100
Penalties If You Receive a Columbus Third Offense DUI Conviction
Do not expect your third offense driving under the influence charge to go away. Your third offense DUI lawyer in Columbus will answer frequently asked questions and any others you have regarding the penalties that come with a conviction. These penalties can include:
Jail Sentence
In Ohio, jail time is mandatory for anyone convicted of a third offense DUI. If you have a blood alcohol content (BAC) below 0.17, you are subject to a minimum 30-day jail sentence. Comparatively, if your BAC is at or above 0.17, or if you REFUSE to submit a chemical sample, you face a 60-day minimum jail sentence. In either scenario, you can be sentenced to up to one year in jail.
Driver’s License Suspension
Ohio has rules in place regarding alcohol- and drug-related suspensions of driver’s licenses. For a third DUI conviction, you may receive a minimum two-year suspension of your driver’s license. This suspension could last up to 12 years.
Installation of an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) in Your Car
Ohio Revised Code Section 4510.46 defines the use of an IID for monitoring an entity to inform the court if vehicle operation is prevented. Following a third DUI conviction, you may have to keep an IID in your car for at least one year. This device will prevent you from driving your car if you have a BAC that exceeds a preset limit.
Ultimately, you will go to jail for a DUI in Ohio and face other severe penalties if you are convicted of driving under the influence for a third time. What you do today can determine whether you receive a conviction and the criminal penalties and collateral consequences associated with it.
Columbus Third Offense DUI Lawyer Near Me (614) 884-1100
Collateral Consequences of a Third DUI Conviction
On top of the criminal penalties of a third driving under the influence conviction, you will face collateral consequences that can make it tough to live your life the same way you did previously. These consequences can include:
- Trouble finding a job since employers can see all of your DUI convictions on a background check
- Loss of a professional license
- Loss of the right to own or possess a firearm
- International travel restrictions
Your DUI attorney wants you to understand how a third DUI conviction will affect you now and in the future. Together, you and your lawyer can dispute the prosecution’s argument, which may allow you to move past your third DUI charge soon.
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How to Defend Against a Third Offense DUI
Your criminal defense attorney will explore many legal avenues as they look for ways to argue your case. Leading up to your trial, your lawyer may evaluate many legal defenses. Strategies your attorney can use to fight back against your charge include:
Challenging Your Traffic Stop
The police stop your car and charge you with driving under the influence. Yet, police officers must have reasonable cause before they can stop your vehicle. Your lawyer can raise a reasonable doubt about why your traffic stop took place. This may prompt the court to rule in your favor.
Questioning the Accuracy of Your Field Sobriety Test (FST) Results
An FST can be subjective. For example, the police give you instructions for a sobriety test, but you do not understand them fully. As such, you make a mistake that leads to a DUI arrest. Or, the police may not perform your FST correctly. In either of these scenarios and others, your lawyer can argue that your test results are inaccurate, which can hurt the prosecution’s case.
Claiming That Your Constitutional Rights Were Violated
Police officers must read your Miranda warning at the time following your DUI arrest and before they question you. If you never received your Miranda warning, your lawyer may explain to the court that your rights under the Fifth Amendment were violated. This may lead the court to say any information gathered during police questioning is inadmissible.
Unfortunately, it is unlikely that a plea deal will be an option if you have been charged with driving under the influence for a third time. Your lawyer will keep you updated if a plea bargain is available. If no such deal is reached, your attorney will make sure you are prepared for your trial.
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Choose a Criminal Defense Law Firm That Is Truly Committed to Helping People
You have the right to legal representation in your third offense DUI case. Koffel | Brininger | Nesbitt is here to help you with your case in any way we can.
Trust us to handle your legal matters and guide you through your litigation. To learn more, schedule a case consultation with a third offense DUI attorney in Columbus from our team.
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