OHIO DUI TERMS

DUI TERMS For the State of OHIO.

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(1) DUI TERMS

ALS (Administrative License Suspension) Positive Test:
If you are stopped for suspicion of drunk driving in Ohio and you take the sobriety test and the test results exceed the legal Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC). The officer can take you driver license on the spot and the suspension begins immediately. [link to als page] Depending on the previous offenses or breath test refusals, your license can be suspended from 90 days up to 5 years. After your 2nd offense your vehicle may be immobilized.

ALS (Administrative License Suspension) Breath Test Refusal:
If you are stopped for suspicion of drunk driving in Ohio, and you refuse to take the sobriety test, the officer can take your driver license on the spot and the suspension begins immediately. [link to als page] Depending on the previous offenses or breath test refusals, your license can be suspended from 1 year up to 5 years. After your 2nd offense your vehicle may be immobilized.

BAC (Blood Alcohol Concentration):
Your blood alcohol concentration or BAC is the concentration of alcohol in the bloodstream. Measured in percentages, this amount is used to determine the intoxication of an individual. Your blood alcohol concentration can be measured by testing breath, blood or urine. Most states have adopted BAC laws that make it illegal to drive with a BAC at or above a set amount. Ohio has adopted 0.08% as the highest allowable concentration. Though you may still be found to be intoxicated even if your BAC is below this amount.

Breathalyzer Machine:
A machine used by law enforcement officers to measure the BAC of suspected drunk drivers via their breath. Ohio’s most prevalent breathalyzer machine is the “BAC Datamaster”. Other machines used are the Intoxilyzer 5000 and BAC Verifier.

Chemical Test:
As it relates to a Ohio DUI, a test of the alcohol in a person's blood. A Breathalyzer, blood analysis, or urinalysis can be used as chemical tests for alcohol intoxication. If another intoxicant is suspected, a blood or urine test may be used.

Community Service:
Depending on the offense and its severity, the prosecutor may offer community service as part of your conviction and/or probation.

Driver Training Schools:
These schools are Your state will likely have a list of approved schools for you to choose from. [link to dui school page]

DUI (Driving Under the Influence):
In Ohio this is the act of operating a motor vehicle after consuming alcohol or other drugs to the extent that your mental and/or motor skills are impaired by a person under the age of 18 with a BAC of .08% or above. [link to the other definitions]

Felony:
Serious crimes such as murder, aggravated assault, arson, burglary, etc are considered felonies. A third conviction for drinking and driving is also a felony in most states. Felonies are considered more serious than misdemeanors and as such the punishments are more severe.

(IID) Ignition Interlock Device:
This is breathalyzer machine [link above] installed in cars to prevent a vehicle from starting if it detects a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) over a pre-set limit. The device is located inside the vehicle, near the driver’s seat, and is connected to the engine's ignition system. Many states require that the device be used by those convicted of DUI especially repeat offenders

Implied Consent Laws:
These Ohio laws state that by simply having a driver’s license you consent to BAC tests if pulled over for suspicion of a DUI. In many states, you can refuse to take the test, but your license may be suspended.

License Revocation:
A license revocation means your driving privileges have been revoked. You will likely need to reapply for a driver's license after a designated length of time.

License Suspension:
In Ohio, your drivers license can be taken and your driving privileges suspended even before a trial or conviction of a DUI or OVI [link to definition] for either failing of refusing the breathalyzer test. A license suspension means you may not drive for the period of your suspension. Driving privileges are typically administered by the Secretary of State and not the court system. You, or your lawyer on your behalf, may be able to negotiate a limited suspension, meaning you may drive to and from work, but nowhere else[link to Occupation driving privileges] an ALS (Administrative License Suspension) [link] hearing.

Misdemeanor:
In Ohio, this is a crime considered less serious than a felony. These crimes never result in the loss of civil rights, but may result in the loss of privileges such as professional licenses or public employment. Many states treat a first DUI conviction as a misdemeanor.

Occupational Driving Privileges:
Once your license is suspended, you may petition the court for an occupational driver license. This would allow you to drive only at certain times and for certain reasons, such as going to and from work.

Open Container Laws:
In Ohio , these laws make it illegal to have or drink from an open container of alcohol in designated areas such as sidewalks, streets, lawns, etc. This law most commonly applies to having alcohol in parked or moving vehicles. Violation of these laws in Ohio could mean up to 6 months jail time and/or $1000.00 fine.

OVI:
In Ohio this is the act of operating a motor vehicle after consuming alcohol or other drugs to the extent that your mental and/or motor skills are impaired. In other states and jurisdictions this offense may also be called DWI, OWI, or OMVI. [link to the other definitions]

OVUAC (Operation a Vehicle After Underage Consumption):
An individual under the age of 21 convicted of operation a vehicle with a BAC of .02% or higher, but less than .08%.

Probation:
In Ohio, when you are convicted of a crime, such as DUI, the judge may suspend part or all of your jail sentence, instead placing you on probation. The judge can also place conditions on your probation such as staying employed, abstaining from illegal behavior, and following a probation officer’s orders. Jail time may be reinstated if it is found the terms of probation are being violated.

Reinstatement Fee:
To get your license reinstated after it has been suspended you may be require to pay a Reinstatement fee.

DUI Conviction Date before 03/14/89	$75.00
DUI Conviction Date after 03/13/89	$100.00
DUI Conviction Date on/after 07/25/90	$125.00
DUI Arrest Date on/after 07/01/93	$250.00
DUI Arrest Date on/after 10/01/97	$280.00
DUI Arrest Date on/after 9/16/98	$405.00
DUI Arrest Date on/after 11/03/00	$425.00

SR – 22:
This is a Certificate of Insurance from a licensed insurance agency. You will be required to have this or other proof of insurance to get your driver license reinstated.

Sobriety Checkpoints:
These roadblocks are set up by law enforcement officers at a particular location for a certain time period, usually late at night or early in the morning on weekends, to randomly stop vehicles to investigate drivers for possible DUI. If the officer believes the driver is intoxicated, a detailed investigation follows, the same as if they would have stopped you driving down the road.

Vehicle Impound/Immobilization:
Vehicle impound is an option used by some states when there has been more than one DUI conviction. The vehicle may be seized, or an ignition interlock device [link to definition] may be installed in the vehicle, requiring the driver to pass a breath test he/she can start the vehicle.

Zero Tolerance BAC:
Allowable blood alcohol content for minors (as defined by the state). This percentage can be as low as 0% - meaning no alcohol content may be detected or as high as 0.02%.