Probation: Ohio DUI Options for Judges
Nearly 100% of individuals charged with DUI will receive "Probation" which is now known in Ohio as "Community Control". What used to be called "Probation Terms & Conditions" is now referred to as "Community Control Sanctions".
What is Probation? Probation is the branch of the Court that monitors a defendant's whereabouts, activities, and essentially supervises their arrest record for new charges. Each defendant is assigned a "Probation Officer" ("P.O."). It is a period of "Good Behavior" where a defendant must lead a law abiding life for a definite period of time. Probation for a 1 st offender DUI can be up to 3 years and up to 5 years for Multiple Offenders. If a person fails to meet all the terms and conditions of probation and/or gets charged with a new traffic offense or crime, the P.O. will file a "Statement of Violations" ("SOV") with the judge requesting that the defendant be re-sentenced on the original case.
Judges have a vast arsenal of legal terms and conditions for DUI Probation as set forth below.
- No new DUI or serious traffic arrests
- Alcohol Assessment and/or Follow Up Alcohol Counseling
- Random Urine Screens
- Don't operate a vehicle outside permissible times / days
- No "Refusals" of blood, breath, or urine tests if arrested for DUI
- No odor of alcohol while driving a vehicle
- Pay fines and court costs on time
- Attend and complete a 3 day Driver's Intervention Program
- Attend MADD's Victim Impact Panel
- Don't miss probation officer meetings
- Install Ignition Interlock (breath tester in the vehicle)
- Continuous Alcohol Monitor (ankle bracelet)
- Don't leave Ohio without P.O. approval
- House Arrest (not available in all Ohio counties)
- Work-Release (not available in all Ohio counties)
- Community Service (20 hours - 100 hours is the average range)