OVI Jail Alternatives in Steubenville, Ohio

Ohio law does not permit pre-trial diversion programs like other states do, meaning you will still have to navigate the traditional court process. However, there are three primary methods to avoid a conviction appearing on your driving record:

• Proving your innocence in court.
• Having the charges dismissed.
• Convincing the prosecuting attorney to drop the charges entirely.

Avoiding Jail Time After a Conviction

A conviction might carry a mandatory jail sentence, but there are ways to avoid actually serving the time. A knowledgeable Steubenville criminal lawyer can explain the specific alternatives that might be open and applicable to your unique case.

Continuous Alcohol Monitoring Ankle Bracelets

One alternative involves wearing a monitor on your ankle that constantly checks your body for alcohol consumption. This device reads your blood alcohol content through your sweat, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If the device detects alcohol, it records the event and shares the data via a download at the home or office of the agency that installed it. The collected data is graphed, and if it indicates the person consumed alcohol, that violation information is forwarded to the judge or probation officer in charge of the offender.

Rules and Costs of Alcohol Monitors

You may receive permission to travel to approved locations with this option, such as to work, doctor appointments, court hearings, and the grocery store. The maximum duration an offender can be on this monitor is six months. The offender is required to pay all costs associated with the monitor.

House Arrest and Electronic Monitoring (HAEM)

Some individuals are placed under house arrest with an electronic monitoring bracelet attached to their ankle, sometimes referred to as HAEM. Similar to the alcohol monitor mentioned above, this bracelet tracks location instead of measuring alcohol consumption. To navigate these strict rules and ensure compliance, consulting a Steubenville OVI attorney is highly recommended.

Understanding House Arrest Violations

It alerts law enforcement or your probation officer if you go somewhere you are not supposed to be. Being under house arrest means you must stay inside your house, or within a specific distance of your house, at all times. In certain circumstances, you may be allowed to go to work. Often, your probation officer will demand random tests for alcohol use or prompt you to answer random phone calls. Any violation—such as drinking a beer or walking next door—can result in your jail sentence being reinstated. The same applies to tampering with the monitoring bracelet. If sent back to jail, you will likely face more monitoring upon release. As with the alcohol monitor, the offender is responsible for all electronic bracelet costs.

Driver Intervention Programs

Many times, those convicted of an OVI can participate in driver intervention programs. Generally, these are three-day educational courses. By participating fully and completing the program, an offender can bypass going to jail. The goal of the program is to educate offenders about drugs and alcohol and their effects to prevent further offenses.

Program Logistics and Fees

There are several of these programs in the local area, and your Steubenville criminal lawyer can provide the details about when and where they are held. Not all Ohio counties have them, including Jefferson County at times, so you may be required to drive to a different county to participate. Generally, the program takes place in a hotel conference room, and participants spend the entire weekend at the hotel. The fees reach several hundred dollars and are usually only available to first-time offenders. You are responsible for your own travel costs, and rescheduling may incur an added charge.

Secure Your Ideal Outcome Today

Ohio provides several avenues to avoid jail time following an OVI charge. The Youngstown Criminal Law Group has handled hundreds of OVI cases, demonstrating a proven track record of getting charges reduced or dismissed. With the intense training necessary to get you your ideal outcome, your Steubenville OVI attorney will evaluate the options available based on your specific case. Contact us today at (330) 791-8104.