Vehicular Assault in Lisbon

In Ohio, vehicular assault and aggravated vehicular assault are highly serious charges. If you are charged with either of these offenses, you will have to face severe consequences:

• Jail time
• Hefty fines
• Loss of driver’s license
• Points on your driver’s license
• Disqualification of CDL
• A criminal record
• Losing your job and economic loss
• A civil lawsuit for liability
• Increased premium rates for insurance

Causing a standard car accident might not always be as serious. However, if law enforcement suspects aggravated situations—such as speeding, driving recklessly, or being under the influence—the consequences can be life-altering. Navigating the courts in Columbiana County is difficult, which is exactly why you need to get in touch with a Lisbon criminal lawyer. Come to Youngstown Criminal Law Group. Our team will help you get through the proceedings and ensure you achieve the best outcome by reducing your charges or getting them completely dismissed.

Vehicular Assault Vs. Aggravated Vehicular Assault

According to Ohio Rev. Code 2903.08, you face vehicular assault charges when causing serious harm to another person or an unborn child. You will also get charged with vehicular assault if you were speeding or driving recklessly.

Conversely, if you are suspected of operating a vehicle under the influence and that impairment caused physical harm to another person or an unborn child, it is considered aggravated vehicular assault. When facing this escalated charge, consulting a Lisbon OVI attorney is essential. The definition of a vehicle is not just limited to motor vehicles; it can be a car, bike, truck, boat, or even a plane.

Penalties for Vehicular Assault

Most of the time, vehicular assaults are classified as a serious misdemeanor or a felony.

It will be a first-degree misdemeanor if you were driving in a posted construction zone and harmed a person or an unborn child. For this, you face 7 to 180 days of jail time and a fine of up to $1,000.

It becomes a fourth-degree felony if you drive in a posted construction zone with a prior conviction for vehicular assault or any traffic-related violation, causing serious harm. For this, you face 6 to 18 months in jail and a $5,000 fine. A Lisbon criminal lawyer can help you defend against these specific felony allegations.

It will be a third-degree felony if you have a suspended license, a prior conviction of vehicular assault, a prior conviction for a traffic-related death, and you didn’t stop at the sight of the accident. In this case, you will get 12 to 60 months of jail time and a fine of $10,000.

Your license will be suspended for 1 to 5 years if you are convicted of vehicular assault causing injury while speeding recklessly in a construction zone or general driving. Your license will be suspended for 2 to 10 years if you have another prior conviction for vehicular assault or related traffic charges.

Penalties for Aggravated Vehicular Assault

Aggravated vehicular assault charges are always prosecuted as a felony.

It is a third-degree felony when you are operating a vehicle under the influence and cause injury. You will get 12 to 60 months of jail time and a fine of up to $10,000. Fighting these specific charges requires the guidance of a skilled Lisbon OVI attorney.

It can be a second-degree felony when you have been previously convicted for: vehicular assault, aggravated vehicular assault, traffic-related assault or death, three OVI/DUI convictions, three or more convictions for unsafe operation of an aircraft or watercraft, or two or more felony OVI/DUI convictions. In this case, you face 2 to 8 years of jail time and a fine up to $15,000.

For a first conviction, your license will be suspended for 2 to 10 years. If you have any prior conviction for a traffic-related death, it will be suspended for 3 years to life.

Legal Defense Strategy

Your defense counsel’s job will be to refute the arguments and evidence of the prosecution so they can build the right defense case for you. Because the prosecution will have several things to prove together, our team gets the chance to challenge them and secure the best outcome.

Connect With Youngstown Criminal Law Group

Contact a Lisbon criminal lawyer at Youngstown Criminal Law Group today for your case. Call us at (330) 791-8104 for a free consultation.