Ohio Driving Under Suspension Lawyer
At Gounaris Abboud, we mount formidable defenses to charges of driving under suspension.
We serve Dayton and all of Ohio. Call for a traffic attorney in Dayton, Ohio, today.
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Skilled Driving Under Suspended License Lawyers in Dayton, Ohio
Our team of suspended license attorneys is ready to put up the defense you need to fight the driving under suspension charges you are facing. Driving under suspension can lead to criminal penalties, a loss of your license, and countless other collateral problems, such as work issues and issues with transporting children. But with a suspended license lawyer from our team on the case, your case could get dismissed altogether.
A license suspension lawyer is also instrumental in cases where the suspended driver did not know their license was suspended. In many cases, those who commit certain crimes, such as those related to drugs and alcohol, may not realize that their licenses have been suspended.
If you have been charged with driving under suspension in Montgomery, Warren, or Butler Counties, reach out to Gounaris Abboud and let a Dayton driving under suspension lawyer from our team fight for you.
What Is Driving Under Suspension in Ohio (ORC 4510.11)?
In Ohio, driving under suspension occurs when you operate a motor vehicle on a public road or public property while your license is suspended. You may also commit the offense if you have had your license suspended and you are caught driving on private property that is used for public purposes.
Driving under suspension is frequently charged as a first-degree misdemeanor, which means an offender could face up to 180 days in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. Driving on a suspended license also exposes an offender to an extended suspension period and leads to points on an offender’s driving record.
Common Reasons for Ohio Driver’s License Suspensions
There are various reasons why a person in Ohio may have their license suspended. The following are some of the more common reasons suspensions occur.
All persons convicted of DUI/OVI in Ohio must have their license suspended for a certain period of time. However, you need not be convicted or plead guilty to a charge of driving under the influence to have your license suspended in Ohio.
You may receive a license suspension without a conviction for DUI if your blood-alcohol content (BAC) was over a specific level. Additionally, if you fail to submit to a chemical test, your license will also likely be suspended due to the implied consent laws of the state.
As with every state in the country, Ohio has mandatory insurance laws that require drivers to have a minimum amount of insurance coverage. The insurance helps drivers pay for the accidents they cause, covering such costs as medical bills, lost wages, and loss of consortium.
Driving without the minimum insurance requirements will result in a license suspension and criminal penalties. It could also lead to an unclassified misdemeanor ending up on your record.
Ohio uses a point system that places points on a driver’s record for each applicable traffic offense. It is a 12-point system, which means that after receiving 12 points on their license within a period of 24 months, a driver will automatically have their license suspended.
If you have your license suspended due to the accumulation of points, you will be charged with driving under suspension if you operate your motor vehicle and are caught doing so. If this happens, reach out to our team to defend you against the charges and to fight to get your license reinstated.
If a police officer pulls you over in Ohio, you are required to show your license and proof that you are carrying insurance. If you choose not to show this information or cannot, the state may decide to charge you with an unclassified misdemeanor. If this situation repeats itself within the next three years, you will face being charged with a first-degree misdemeanor, which could lead to time behind bars and heavy fines.
Failure to display may also lead to a license suspension, especially if other charges related to traffic are involved. But it often does not. If your license has been suspended because of failure to display, contact our team to help you get things back on track.
When the time period for your license suspension period has ended, don’t expect your license to automatically get reinstated. No, you must go through a few steps before the government returns your driving privileges. Perhaps the most common hoop to jump through to get your suspended license reactivated is paying all associated fines and fees.
If a police officer stops you for something and discovers that you are driving with a suspended license, they will likely give you a ticket. It does not matter that the police officer is aware that your suspension has ended. They will still give you a ticket because you didn’t take the steps necessary to unsuspend your license.
The state of Ohio takes failure to pay child support very seriously and goes to great lengths to recover support payments. If you have obligations to a child and you have not met those obligations, you could very well have your driver’s license suspended automatically.
Do you owe any court costs? If so, your license may be unilaterally suspended until you pay. The BMV may also suspend your license if you have unpaid fines for past traffic offenses or crimes or if you have failed to pay related fees.
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Are you facing a charge of driving with a suspended license and aren’t sure what to do? Call today to start your defense against your charge.
Penalties for Driving with a Suspended License in Ohio
Ohio has serious penalties for individuals who are convicted of driving with a suspended license. The circumstances of the incident will determine precisely the nature and seriousness of the charges.
In general, a suspended license conviction can bring the following penalties:
- First-Time Offender: A first-time offense of driving under suspension typically leads to a first-degree misdemeanor charge, which can lead to a six-month stint at the county jail and a fine that may total up to $1,000.
- Subsequent Offenses: A subsequent offense of driving on a suspension will be punished more harshly than a first-time offense. Longer jail times and higher fines are to be expected.
- Enhanced Penalties: Under certain circumstances, such as driving drunk while on suspension, enhancements will allow the prosecutor to seek harsher jail sentences and fines.
- Additional Charges: Depending on your circumstances, your original charge of driving under suspension may lead to other related charges, such as driving without insurance or registration.
At Gounaris Abboud, we fight hard to protect your liberties and work diligently to dismantle the prosecutor’s case against you. Contact us to get started on your defense.
Caught Driving With a Suspended License in Ohio?
If you are caught driving on a suspended license in Ohio, you will likely be arrested and your motor vehicle will likely be towed. Remember to remain silent when the police question you. Anything you say will be used to convict you later.
Once you have been booked, you will remain in a jail cell at the Hamilton County Jail until it is time for your arraignment, where you will make your plea. Before this occurs, it is essential that you contact an experienced criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible. The sooner you have an attorney, the better.
How Can Our Traffic Lawyers Help You?
Our driving under suspension lawyers will take the burden of your defense and fight hard to get the charges against you reduced or dismissed. We employ various strategies and tactics to accomplish this end. When you hire our team, you simply need to stay out of trouble while we handle everything else.
Some of the many tasks we complete when representing you in a suspended license case include:
We understand the ramifications of a driver’s license suspension. And we know that without a license, many of our clients cannot engage in the necessary activities they need for survival. You can expect us to fight hard to ensure that you end up in the most optimal position given the charges you are facing.
Give us a call, and let’s discuss how to defend against the charges you face.
Reviewing
the initial police stop for constitutional violations;
Determining
if probable cause existed for your stop;
Identifying
instances of police misconduct;
Aggressively negotiating
with the prosecutor for a plea deal or pre-trial diversion;
Keeping you abreast
of the development of your case;
Clarifying
any issues you may be confused about regarding your case.
Why Choose Gounaris Abboud?
When you choose Gounaris Abboud, you get a firm with:
Over five decades of combined experience
Fierce advocacy
Personalized legal attention and care
National and industry recognition from leading groups like SuperLawyers
24/7 availability for complimentary consultations
FAQs About Driving
Under Suspended License in Ohio
Yes. If you are guilty of the charge of driving with a suspended license (typically a first-degree misdemeanor), you could face up to six months in jail, even if it is your first offense.
If you have been under a license suspension that is now over, you must take proactive steps to get your license reinstated. In other words, it is not an automatic process but instead requires you to fulfill a variety of conditions, such as:
- Paying relevant fees for having a suspended driver’s license
- Paying relevant fees to reinstate your driver’s license
- Enrolling in and completing a retraining program for drivers with driving issues
You must also obtain the minimum amount of auto insurance and send proof of such to the Ohio BMV.
If you are convicted multiple times of driving with a suspended license, you will face higher penalties, including higher fines, more time behind bars, and more license suspension time.
Yes. If your license is suspended, you may challenge the decision through an administrative process that involves a hearing. You may also petition for a hardship license, which gives you limited driving privileges.
If you are caught driving while your license is suspended, law enforcement has the option of impounding your vehicle. Repeat offenders and certain other situations make impounding more likely.
If you are found guilty of driving with a suspended license in Ohio, your conviction or guilty plea will likely remain on your record for two years.
If the state charges you with driving with a suspended license, you will be facing serious penalties and should contact a seasoned traffic defense lawyer. Your attorney will build the strongest defense based on your circumstances and work diligently to negotiate your charges down or get them dismissed.