A 52-year-old man has been arrested for driving under the influence — his 12th arrest since 1991. The Ohio resident was recently charged with felony drunk driving, driving with a suspended license and with a misdemeanor DUI refusal, according to police. He posted a $10,000 bond after a preliminary hearing.
A police report says the accused was found in his running vehicle. The man allegedly left the vehicle when he saw police approaching. Authorities say the man appeared to be under the influence and say they found open and empty beer cans in the man’s vehicle. The accused failed to provide a breath sample and did not want to take other sobriety tests, police say.
With changes in Ohio’s DUI laws, when someone is charged with felony DUI, the only arrests that are considered are those made within the last 20 years, so only charges since 2000, in this case, will be considered. Ohio does have a habitual DUI offender registry on which the accused is listed. The man’s case will likely be heard by a grand jury.
A drunk driving charge in Ohio is always serious, particularly a felony DUI charge. Those accused of drunk driving face possible fines, jail time and suspended driving privileges. A felony drunk driving charge can have more serious penalties and could mean severe consequences for someone personally and professionally, such as fewer professional opportunities and the inability to own firearms. Being charged with drunk driving can be overwhelming and stressful, so it is crucial that those charged seek legal advice on how to develop an aggressive defense strategy.
