License Suspension Procedure in Steubenville

There are Two Ways Your License Can Get Suspended in Ohio

• By court order following a criminal conviction.
• By the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) halting it via an administrative process.

There are many situations that can result in either of these two outcomes. For instance, driving under the influence, gathering more than 12 points on your driver’s license, or a refusal to submit to a chemical test when you are stopped under the suspicion of DUI. How you plan to fight the suspension heavily relies on whether the license got suspended due to a criminal conviction or administratively.

This entire legal procedure can be incredibly confusing and stressful for an individual who doesn’t understand the law. That is exactly why securing help from a Steubenville criminal lawyer is vital. At Youngstown Criminal Law Group, you receive the necessary assistance and direction from an experienced legal professional so that you can challenge the loss of your driving privileges effectively.

License Revocation by the Ohio BMV

Under the following circumstances, your driving privileges can get suspended in Ohio:

• Refusal to submit to the chemical test when you are stopped and arrested for DUI/OVI.
• After the police officer has lawfully stopped you, your BAC registers at or above .08%.
• At the exact time of the traffic stop, you failed to present auto insurance proof.
• You caused an automobile accident while you were uninsured.
• You have accumulated 12 points in 2 years on your driver’s license for various kinds of traffic violations.

Getting your license suspended for any of these specific reasons is considered a civil administrative procedure. Because this does not occur due to criminal charges, you will face an ALS, or administrative license suspension. You must choose a skilled Steubenville OVI attorney who works directly with the BMV so that you can confidently challenge the suspension.

Receiving Notice of a License Suspension

You will be handed immediate notice when you incur an ALS at a traffic stop. The law enforcement officer will provide you with a copy of BMV Form 2255 regarding the ALS after they confiscate your physical license. You will be mandated to stop driving right away and consult with a Steubenville criminal lawyer. Starting from the arraignment, you will receive 30 days to appeal in order to get your criminal charges dropped. If your driver’s license has hit 12 points or more, you will get a letter from the BMV notifying you of the suspension, alongside the start date and end date of the penalty. You must file an appeal prior to the start date of your suspension.

Duration of an ALS

The overall length of the ALS will range from Class F to Class A. A Class F suspension is the most lenient one and will last until specific conditions are satisfied. A Class E suspension will last for 3 months, while Class A is the harshest, lasting for 3 years. Your past driving record and previous suspension history will also be heavily weighed when an official is determining the exact duration of the ALS with your Steubenville OVI attorney.

Contesting an ALS and Limited Driving Rights

You will need to submit the appeal as quickly as possible. Whether your license was taken at a traffic stop or via letter, you must not waste any precious time in contacting your Steubenville criminal lawyer. If you receive an ALS from the BMV while concurrently facing criminal charges, your legal representation will defend you on both the civil and criminal fronts. Be aware that even after a victorious ALS appeal, you might still lose your driving privileges due to the criminal charges. However, if those criminal charges are eventually dropped, or if you are found not guilty, the legal team can get your license reinstated immediately.

You can also retain or gain limited driving privileges following a period of “Hard Suspension”. Your legal counsel will petition the court or the BMV for a restricted driver’s license, permitting you to drive to work, school, medical facilities, and court-mandated treatments.

Connect With Youngstown Criminal Law Group

Come to Youngstown Criminal Law Group so that our knowledgeable professionals can help you fight the license suspension and help you regain your driving privileges on the roads of Ohio.

Call (330) 791-8104 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.