How will you spend St. Patrick’s Day this year? This year the holiday falls on a Thursday and will be the first fully open St. Patrick’s Day in two years. On top of that, it’s the opening day of the NCAA Men’s Basketball tournament. Many people are going to be ready for a good time.
The Ohio State Patrol has already promised an increased presence for the holiday. Many Police Departments are teaming with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) from Friday, March 11 to Friday, March 18, to watch out for impaired drivers. Expect saturation patrols, including checkpoints.
Operating a motor vehicle in Ohio while impaired (OVI) comes with serious consequences. A first-time OVI offender will face mandatory jail time, a possible fine of $1,075, and up to a 3-year license suspension. Penalties and fines increase exponentially if you are a high-tier or repeat offender. In addition, The State of Ohio can also impose a separate Administrative License Suspension (ALS) if you decline or fail an officer’s good faith request to submit to a blood, breath, or urine test.
The luck of the Irish only goes so far. At Pickrel Schaeffer and Ebeling, we have an experienced OVI team and are ready to step in to help at a moment’s notice. For questions on OVI law, whether to consent to the test, or what to do if you have been cited, contact L. Michael Bly, Esq. at 937-223-1130. A little counseling in these matters goes a long way.
If you are planning on celebrating, do it wisely. Designate a sober driver or use a rideshare service. Don’t make your March Madness maddening.
