Street Racing in St. Clairsville, Ohio

Movies like the Fast and Furious franchise might make street racing look like a thrilling adventure. However, attempting these dangerous stunts in real life on local roadways will result in severe legal trouble. While zooming down the streets at blistering speeds might offer a temporary rush, doing so puts innocent people in immense danger. This is why pretending to be Vin Diesel simply isn’t an option. Instead of applause, you will inevitably be hit with severe criminal charges.

Throughout Ohio, participating in illegal drag racing or street racing is considered a grave legal offense. If this violation is combined with other traffic or criminal infractions, it can quickly escalate into a felony charge. If you choose to engage in these illegal contests, you face a variety of harsh penalties, including:

• Serving time in jail
• Paying substantial financial fines
• The suspension or total loss of your driving privileges
• Accumulating penalty points on your driving record
• Receiving a permanent mark on your criminal history
• Drastic increases in your auto insurance premium rates
• Facing a wrongful death lawsuit if the racing incident leads to a fatality

If you find yourself dealing with these types of serious criminal allegations, reach out to our team at the Youngstown Criminal Law Group. A dedicated St. Clairsville criminal lawyer will aggressively defend your rights in court and work tirelessly to ensure that your charges are mitigated, reduced, or completely dismissed.

What Exactly Constitutes Street Racing?

Generally speaking, drag racing involves at least two vehicles. When these automobiles compete against one another to arrive at a specific destination while exceeding the legal speed limit, law enforcement classifies it as street racing. You can face these allegations whether you are operating one of the vehicles, organizing the event, or simply cheering on the participants from the sidelines. Throughout Belmont County and the rest of the state, being involved in this activity is classified as a misdemeanor. It is highly recommended that you retain a St. Clairsville OVI attorney who understands traffic laws to help you navigate and clear these allegations.

According to the Ohio Rev. Code 4511.251, law enforcement officers will charge you with this offense under the following specific circumstances:

• Two or more vehicles are involved
• The cars are operating side by side on the roadway
• The drivers are exceeding the posted speed limit
• The competitors begin from a shared starting line
• The automobiles are accelerating rapidly
• The event occurs on a public street or highway

The legal system classifies drag racing as a first-degree misdemeanor, which is the most serious level of misdemeanor offense. If you are convicted in court, you face a maximum of 180 days in jail, along with monetary fines that can reach up to $1000. Furthermore, your driver’s license will face suspension for a period ranging from 30 days to 3 years. The Bureau of Motor Vehicles will also add 6 points to your driving record.

To secure a conviction against you, the state prosecutor must establish that a minimum of two cars participated in the event. Furthermore, they are required to demonstrate that both drivers commenced from the same location and were traveling at speeds above the legal limit. By retaining a skilled St. Clairsville criminal lawyer, you gain an advocate who can pinpoint weaknesses in the prosecutor’s testimony and the overall construction of the state’s case, ultimately protecting you from unjust penalties.

Connect With the Youngstown Criminal Law Group Today

Do not hesitate to contact the Youngstown Criminal Law Group immediately. Our dedicated legal team will carefully evaluate the details of your situation and strive to secure the most favorable outcome possible for your future.Call (330) 791-8104 or contact St. Clairsville OVI attorney online to schedule a free consultation.