Washington County License Hearing Guide

Washington County DUI License Suspension & ALR Hearing

After a DUI arrest in Washington County, Ohio, you face two separate but related legal processes: a criminal case in court and an administrative action against your driver's license by the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV). This guide focuses on the administrative side—specifically, the Administrative License Suspension (ALS) and your right to request a hearing to challenge it. The outcome of the ALR hearing determines whether, and for how long, your driving privileges will be suspended, independent of the criminal case. Understanding this process and acting quickly is crucial to protecting your ability to drive.

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 Administrative License Suspension (ALS) hearing. This hearing allows you to challenge the suspension of your driver's license.

To request a hearing, contact the Ohio BMV. While the specific method for requesting the hearing isn't detailed in the provided research, you should contact the BMV directly to determine the proper procedure.

Important: Missing this 15-day deadline results in an automatic suspension of your driver's license. There are very limited exceptions to this rule, so acting promptly is essential.

Automatic License Suspension

Upon a DUI arrest in Washington County, the arresting officer may seize your physical driver's license and impose an immediate Administrative License Suspension (ALS). The length of this suspension depends on whether you submitted to a chemical test and the results, or if you refused testing altogether.

If You Took the Breath/Blood Test and Failed

If you submitted to a breath, blood, or urine test and your Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) was 0.08% or higher, your license will be suspended. For a first offense, the suspension is 90 days.

Following the OVI arrest, if a driver submits to a chemical test (breath, blood, or urine) and tests at or above the legal limit (0.08% BAC), the arresting officer will immediately seize the physical driver's license and impose an Administrative License Suspension (ALS).

If You Refused Testing

Under Ohio's Implied Consent laws, refusing to submit to a chemical test results in a significantly longer license suspension than failing the test. A first-time refusal carries a one-year license suspension.

Ohio's Implied Consent law means that by driving on Ohio roads, you have implicitly agreed to submit to chemical testing if lawfully arrested for DUI. Refusal to submit to testing carries serious penalties, including a longer license suspension.

The ALR/Administrative Hearing

What It Is

The Administrative License Suspension (ALS) hearing is a civil proceeding, separate from the criminal DUI case. It is held to determine whether the administrative suspension of your driver's license is warranted. The burden of proof in an ALR hearing is lower than in a criminal trial. The BMV only needs to show that it is more likely than not that you were driving under the influence.

How to Prepare

Preparing for your ALR hearing is crucial to potentially regaining your driving privileges. Consider the following:

• Gather evidence: Collect any evidence that supports your case, such as witness statements or video footage.
• Understand what you can challenge: You can challenge the validity of the traffic stop, the administration of the chemical test, and whether you were actually driving under the influence.

Possible Outcomes

The ALR hearing can have several outcomes:

• Suspension upheld: The hearing officer upholds the ALS, and your license remains suspended for the statutory period.
• Suspension overturned: The hearing officer overturns the ALS, and your driving privileges are restored immediately.
• Restricted/hardship license granted: The hearing officer may grant you a restricted license, allowing you to drive for specific purposes, such as work, school, or medical appointments.

Hardship/Restricted License in Ohio

Even if your license is suspended, you may be eligible for limited driving privileges in Ohio.

Eligibility requirements and specific restrictions vary. Generally, you can drive for work, school, and medical purposes. Contact the Marietta BMV / Deputy Registrar at Frontier Shopping Center, 142 B Gross St, Marietta, OH 45750, Phone: (740) 374-6824 for specific requirements.

Getting Your License Back

After Criminal Case Concludes

Even if you win your ALR hearing, you may still face a license suspension as part of your criminal case. To reinstate your license after any suspension period, you will typically need to:

• Pay reinstatement fees to the BMV.
• File an SR-22 certificate of financial responsibility (SR-22 insurance) with the BMV. This certificate proves that you carry the state's minimum liability insurance limits ($25,000 per person for injury or death, $50,000 per accident for injury or death, and $25,000 for property damage).
• Complete any court-ordered classes or programs, such as a Driver Intervention Program (DIP). Ohio Valley Learning Systems operates the Washington County DIP out of the Super 8 Motel at 46 Acme Street, Marietta, OH 45750. You can reach them at (740) 676-5342.

Washington County DMV Offices

The Marietta BMV / Deputy Registrar is located at:

• Address: Frontier Shopping Center, 142 B Gross St, Marietta, OH 45750
• Phone: (740) 374-6824
• Hours: M-F 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Sat 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM

The Marietta BMV participates in the Ohio "Get In Line Online" system, allowing you to reserve your place in queue digitally before arriving.

Special Programs

• Ignition Interlock Device (IID): Ohio law incentivizes the voluntary installation of an IID for first-time OVI offenders. By installing an IID, a first-time offender can potentially eliminate mandatory jail time, shorten their license suspension period, and receive unlimited driving privileges.
• Driver Intervention Program (DIP): Every first-time OVI conviction in Ohio carries a mandatory minimum three-day (72-hour) jail sentence. However, courts routinely allow defendants to substitute this jail time by completing a certified 72-hour Driver Intervention Program. Ohio Valley Learning Systems operates the Washington County DIP out of the Super 8 Motel at 46 Acme Street, Marietta, OH 45750. You can reach them at (740) 676-5342.

Frequently Asked Questions

1Where do I go to reinstate my license after a DUI suspension in Washington County?

You'll need to visit the Marietta BMV / Deputy Registrar located at Frontier Shopping Center, 142 B Gross St, Marietta, OH 45750. Call them at (740) 374-6824 to confirm their hours and required documents.

2What happens if I drive while my license is suspended in Washington County?

Driving under suspension is a serious offense in Ohio and can result in additional jail time, fines, and an extended license suspension.

3Can I get a hardship license immediately after my DUI arrest in Washington County?

You may be eligible for limited driving privileges, but eligibility requirements and specific restrictions vary. Contact the Marietta BMV / Deputy Registrar at (740) 374-6824 for specific requirements.