Ohio House Bill 37 was signed by Ohio Governor DeWine on January 8th and became effective on April 8. This bill implements increased penalties for OVI (operation of a motor vehicle under the influence) and aggravated vehicular assault offenses, meaning those charged will be exposed to higher fines and harsher sentencing.
The implementation of HB 37 in Ohio raises the stakes for anyone convicted of an OVI offense through a $200 increase in the mandatory minimum financial penalties a person could be charged with. This increased financial penalty will cause people to face higher financial burdens to deal with their OVI charges.
Along with the increased financial penalties, this bill will also allow for officers to collect a person who has been arrested for OVI's oral fluid. This allowance will enable officers to send the oral fluid sample in for testing to determine if there is evidence of drug abuse within that person's system and then can be used as evidence against the person as it relates to their OVI charges.
As well as changes to OVI charges, there are also changes to aggravated vehicular assault charges in relation to operating a vehicle under the influence. The bill creates a new tier system that allows for harsher penalties depending on which tier a person may fall under which can affect which level of felony and how much jail time a person may face. For example, these changes include increasing the mandatory minimum prison term for aggravated vehicular homicide in certain circumstances from 10 years to 15-20 years. Along with heftier sentencing, there is also an increase into the potential maximum financial penalty a person may face. The maximum penalty that can be implemented has been raised from $15,000 to $25,000.
With the passage of HB 37, these increased penalties for OVI have the potential to affect everyone. Whether you’re a first-time offender or a repeat offender, the new law raises the stakes, making it essential to fully understand the potential repercussions.
