Mentor Multiple DUI Lawyer

Mentor Multiple DUI Attorney

Being charged with multiple DUI offenses in Mentor can impact your life in many ways. The legal consequences of multiple DUI convictions in Ohio are very serious and can damage both your personal and professional life. A Mentor multiple DUI lawyer can help you understand the charges being brought against you and find a defense strategy to help your case.

If you or your loved one has been charged with a violation of Ohio’s DUI laws, it is important to hire a multiple DUI lawyer immediately. Our team of skilled attorneys at Fortress Law Group, LLC has spent over 15 years supporting clients in DUI cases. We provide tough, cutting-edge strategies to increase the odds of having charges dropped or penalties reduced.

Understanding Multiple DUI Charges in Ohio

Ohio takes a tough stance on drivers who drink and get behind the wheel, even more so for repeat offenders. If this is your second DUI offense or more, you will be facing increased penalties and harsher punishments. It is important to seek legal counsel as early intervention can help alter the outcome of your case.

Driving under the influence is one of the leading causes of fatal car accidents in the United States. In 2022, the Ohio State Highway Patrol reported 39,951 cases of operating a vehicle while impaired (OVI). Ohio treats multiple DUI convictions progressively more seriously with escalating penalties.

A 2nd DUI conviction can trigger a suspension of your license, mandatory jail or house arrest, an ignition interlock device, increased fines, and vehicle immobilization. When your trial is heard at the Mentor Municipal Court at 8500 Civic Center Blvd, you can expect the prosecution to pursue the following:

• Escalating penalties. This includes jail time, fines, and license suspension that increase with every offense.
• Mandatory treatment. Courts may require treatment programs, meetings with a probation officer, and alcohol assessments.
• Restricted driving. You may be ordered to use an ignition interlock device, installed at your expense. You might also be limited in when and where you can drive.
• Permanent record. Multiple DUI or OVI convictions in Ohio can result in permanent consequences that affect your ability to gain employment, car insurance, and housing.

Common Defense Strategies for Multiple DUIs

Our team at Fortress Law Group, LLC, understands that every case is unique, and we tailor our defense strategies to work for your personal case. With proven results, our lead attorney offers insights to the trial process, having experience as an Assistant Prosecutor in Lake County, Ohio.

The prosecution must prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. To do that, the prosecution must compile enough admissible evidence and witness testimony to prove your guilt. Our Mentor multiple DUI lawyer can try to prevent the prosecution from meeting their burden of proof.

If you took a breathalyzer during the traffic stop that led to your arrest, our team will review the procedures for how the test was administered. We will ask for maintenance records to ensure it was calibrated and working properly at the time. If law enforcement made any mistakes during the traffic stop or with any of the sobriety tests, it can lead to the prosecution dropping your case.

If your DUI traffic stop was legal and the test results were legitimate, then our attorney will negotiate with the prosecutor to minimize penalties. If a plea agreement can be reached, it can protect your rights and help safeguard your future.

FAQs

How Many DUIs Can You Have in Ohio?

Ohio does not have a limit on the total number of DUIs you can have on your record, but the more you have, the more they can lead to escalating consequences. The most serious escalation occurs after your fourth DUI arrest within 10 years or sixth within 20 years. These turn into felony charges with major fines, lengthy jail sentences, and permanent suspension of your driver’s license.

What Happens After Four DUIs in Ohio?

If you have a fourth DUI charge in 10 years, you will be charged as a felon and face these penalties:

• Minimum 60 days in jail
• Mandatory drug/alcohol treatment
• $1,350 to $10,500 in fines
• Driver’s license suspension from 3 years to life
• Vehicle forfeiture
• Yellow OVI plates and ignition interlock device
• Mandatory probation following a jail or prison term
• Designation as a habitual offender

What Happens if You Get Three DUIs in Ohio?

If you get a third DUI within ten years in Mentor, Ohio, it will result in severe penalties that escalate with every subsequent DUI. A third DUI conviction will result in a minimum 30-day jail term, which can be raised to 60 days if your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was high or a chemical test was refused. Additional penalties are fines ranging from $1,040 to $2,750 and driver’s license suspension for a minimum of two years.

What Happens If You Get a Second DUI in Ohio?

A second DUI conviction within 10 years in Ohio is charged as a first-degree misdemeanor. Penalties include at least 10 days served in jail, fines up to $1,625, license suspension of at least one year, and potential yellow OVI plates and ignition interlock device installation.

Involvement in a substance abuse assessment and treatment program is also mandatory once you receive a second DUI conviction in Ohio.

Hire a Multiple DUI Lawyer

Having multiple DUI charges on your criminal record can affect your life in many ways. It can lead to devastating legal consequences, but it can also impact your ability to find future employment, secure housing, and purchase plans from certain insurance companies. If you or your loved one is facing a second or beyond DUI charge in Mentor, Ohio, you are not alone.

Our team at Fortress Law Group, LLC, is backed by proven results and a reputation for leading our clients to successful outcomes. Whether this is your second DUI or your sixth, it is very important to hire a Mentor DUI lawyer right away, as early intervention can help your case. Call our office today to schedule a consultation.

Mentor Multiple DUI Lawyer Reviews

Meet Your Attorney

Matthew C. Bangerter

Founder, Fortress Law Group, LLC

Matthew draws on his unique background as a former Assistant Prosecutor and his scientific expertise in molecular genetics to bring unparalleled precision and strategy to criminal defense in Northeast Ohio. Whether you’re facing misdemeanor charges, serious felony indictments, or federal prosecution, he builds defense strategies rooted in forensic evidence analysis, cutting-edge legal theory, and an unwavering commitment to protecting your constitutional rights and positioning you for the strongest outcome in court.

Call (440) 659-1315