Being a teenager is difficult. You are on the brink of having complete independence, but with most of the same restrictions as when you were a child.
Whether your first drink is out of peer pressure or curiosity, combining drinking and driving can have serious consequences.
Here’s what you should know if OVI charges turn into a conviction and what it means when you are underage.
The threshold is lower
When you hear people talk about how much alcohol you can have before it becomes dangerous (and illegal) to drive, you may think of the amount of 0.08 percent blood alcohol concentration (BAC). However, the threshold is lower since people under 21 years old are not supposed to drink at all.
In Ohio, if caught driving with a BAC over 0.02 percent, it could lead to OVI charges.
Understanding the consequences
Facing underage drunk driving charges is serious. If you are convicted, there can be severe consequences, including:
- Fines and jail time
- Drivers license suspension
- Ignition interlock device (IID) on your vehicle
- Seek alcohol treatment
If you are under 18 and convicted of an OVI, you could face additional consequences like only being able to drive with a parent or guardian or needing to retake the licensing exams.
You should keep in mind that if you have a second (or third) OVI within one year, the consequences become more severe, including increased jail time and fines.
Drunk driving charges are serious and can have a long-lasting impact. It is not a situation you want to try to handle on your own. You should talk to a skilled professional about the charges against you.