Crawford County License Hearing Guide

Your License After a DUI Arrest in Crawford County

Being arrested for DUI (also known as OVI in Ohio) in Crawford County can trigger two separate legal processes that affect your driving privileges: a criminal case in court and an administrative action by the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV). This guide focuses on the administrative process, specifically the Administrative License Suspension (ALS) and your right to request an Administrative License Revocation (ALR) hearing. Understanding these procedures and deadlines is crucial to potentially saving your driving privileges.

CRITICAL DEADLINE: Request Hearing Within 15 Days

Following a DUI arrest in Ohio, you have only 15 days from the date of your arrest to request an ALR hearing with the Ohio BMV. This hearing is your opportunity to challenge the automatic suspension of your driver's license.

• Where to Request: You must request the hearing through the Ohio BMV/Department of Public Safety (DPS).
• How to Request: The specific method for requesting the hearing (online, phone, or mail) should be detailed on the paperwork you received at the time of your arrest.
• What Happens If You Miss the Deadline: If you fail to request an ALR hearing within the 15-day deadline, your license suspension will automatically go into effect, and you will lose your opportunity to challenge it administratively.

Automatic License Suspension

An automatic license suspension is triggered by either failing or refusing a chemical test (breath, blood, or urine) following a DUI arrest.

If You Took the Breath/Blood Test and Failed

If you submitted to a breath or blood test and your Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) registered above the legal limit of 0.08%, your license will be suspended under OH law. The length of the suspension varies based on factors like prior offenses. You may have been issued a temporary permit, which is valid until the ALR hearing or the start of the suspension period.

If You Refused Testing

Refusing to submit to a chemical test carries a longer license suspension than failing one under Ohio's implied consent law. Ohio's implied consent law means that by driving on Ohio roads, you have implicitly consented to submit to chemical testing if lawfully arrested for DUI. Refusal to submit can result in a suspension.

The ALR/Administrative Hearing

What It Is

The ALR hearing is a separate proceeding from your criminal DUI case. It is conducted by the Ohio BMV to determine whether the administrative suspension of your driver's license is warranted.

• Separate from Criminal Court: The outcome of the ALR hearing does not directly impact your criminal case, and vice versa.
• Decide If License Suspension Is Warranted: The hearing officer will review evidence and determine if there was probable cause for the arrest and if your BAC was above the legal limit or if you refused testing.
• Lower Burden of Proof Than Criminal Trial: The BMV only needs to prove its case by a preponderance of the evidence (more likely than not), which is a lower standard than the "beyond a reasonable doubt" standard in criminal court.

How to Prepare

Proper preparation is crucial for a successful ALR hearing.

• Gather Evidence: Collect any evidence that supports your case, such as witness statements, videos, or documentation challenging the accuracy of the BAC test.
• Understand What You Can Challenge: You can challenge issues such as whether the officer had probable cause to stop you, whether the BAC test was properly administered, or whether you were properly informed of your rights.

Possible Outcomes

• Suspension Upheld: If the hearing officer finds sufficient evidence to support the suspension, your license will remain suspended for the statutory period.
• Suspension Overturned: If the hearing officer finds that the BMV has not met its burden of proof, the suspension will be overturned, and your driving privileges will be reinstated.
• Restricted/Hardship License Granted: Even if the suspension is upheld, you may be eligible for a restricted or hardship license, allowing you to drive under certain circumstances.

Hardship/Restricted License in Ohio law allows for the possibility of a restricted or hardship license under certain conditions during a license suspension.

• Eligibility Requirements: Eligibility typically depends on factors such as the length of the suspension, your driving record, and whether you have completed any required alcohol or drug treatment programs.
• What You Can Drive For: A restricted license typically allows you to drive for essential purposes such as work, school, medical appointments, or court-ordered treatment.
• Costs and Application Process: There are fees associated with applying for a restricted license, and you will need to complete an application and provide supporting documentation.
• IID Requirement: In some cases, the court may require you to install an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) in your vehicle as a condition of obtaining a restricted license.

Getting Your License Back

After your criminal case concludes and your suspension period ends, you will need to take specific steps to reinstate your driving privileges.

After Criminal Case Concludes

• Reinstatement Requirements: Requirements may include paying reinstatement fees, passing the driving test again, and providing proof of insurance.
• Fees: Contact the Ohio BMV to determine the exact reinstatement fees you owe.
• SR-22 Insurance Requirement: You may be required to obtain SR-22 insurance, which is a certificate of financial responsibility, for a specified period.
• Classes/Programs That Must Be Completed: You may be required to complete a DUI education program or alcohol/drug treatment program before your license can be reinstated.

Crawford County DMV Offices

You can find information about license reinstatement and other BMV services at the following location. Contact them for specific requirements related to your case.

(No specific Crawford County DMV office information is available in the provided research data. Please consult the state BMV website for locations.)

Special Programs

• Ignition Interlock Device Program: Ohio has a program that requires the installation of an IID in the vehicles of certain DUI offenders.
• Occupational License: An occupational license may allow you to drive for work-related purposes even during a license suspension.
• 72-Hour Driver Intervention Program (DIP): Under Ohio Revised Code provisions, a first-time conviction for an OVI carries a mandatory minimum sentence of three consecutive days incarcerated in a county jail. However, to alleviate overcrowding, courts across the state permit eligible defendants to fulfill this requirement by completing a state-certified 72-Hour Driver Intervention Program (DIP). DIP Providers accessible to Crawford County defendants include Cedar Ridge Behavioral Health Solutions (CRBHS), Substance Abuse Prevention Institute (SAPI), and Family First Counseling Center.

Frequently Asked Questions

1Where will my vehicle be impounded after a DUI arrest in Crawford County?

Your vehicle may be impounded at Bloomfield Towing (102 Lawn Ave, Bucyrus, OH 44820; (419) 562-5254) or Hensley Towing and Recovery (3282 State Route 98, Bucyrus, OH 44820; (419) 689-2922). The specific location depends on the arresting agency (Ohio State Highway Patrol, Crawford County Sheriff's Office, or local police departments) and their rotation list. Contact the non-emergency dispatch line of the arresting agency to confirm.

2How can I pay my bail bond in Crawford County?

The standard DUI bail in Crawford County is $1,000.00, plus a $25.00 state surcharge and a $10.00 bond fee. You can pay with exact physical currency or a certified cashier's check at the Crawford County Jail. Alternatively, you can use the "AllPaid" platform (www.allpaid.com) with a credit or debit card, subject to service fees. Browse licensed bail bondsmen serving Crawford County in our bail bond directory.

3Where will my DUI case be heard in Crawford County?

Your DUI case will be heard in the Crawford County Municipal Court. The court has two locations: 112 E. Mansfield Street, Suite 100, Bucyrus, OH 44820, and 301 Harding Way East, Galion, OH 44833. The location of your hearing depends on where the offense occurred and the arresting agency. Bucyrus hears most cases, with arraignments on Wednesdays. Galion hears cases only on Tuesdays.