Ohio Physical Control Violations
Unlike Kentucky, Ohio law establishes a separate violation for having physical control of a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. The Ohio Physical Control Statute defines physical control as “being in the driver’s position of the front seat of a vehicle or in the driver’s position of a streetcar trackless trolley and having possession of the vehicle’s, streetcar’s, or trackless trolley’s ignition key or other ignition device.” The classic example of a physical control violation is the person who leaves a bar and decides to “sleep it off” in their vehicle without driving.
Lawmakers in Ohio decided not punish someone as severely for getting into a vehicle under the influence of alcohol, but deciding not to drive. However, a physical control violation still has severe consequences including jail time, fines, treatment, license suspension, and the installation of an ignition interlock device in your vehicle.
Ohio Physical Control Penalties
A person convicted of a physical control violation can expect to receive the following punishment:
Jail Time – Up to 180 days
Fines – Up to $1,000.00
Treatment – At the discretion of the judge
License Suspension – Up to 12 months
Ignition Interlock – At the discretion of the judge
A physical control violation is a Misdemeanor – 1st Degree in Ohio. These cases are too important to face alone. If you are charged with a Physical Control violation in Ohio, call one of our Ohio Physical Control attorneys today.
