How Long Do You Go To Jail For Traffic Tickets in Ohio

In the state of Ohio, traffic violations can result in a number of different potential consequences that have a lasting impact on you, your driver’s license, and your ability to drive. Whether you are an average everyday driver or you drive at a professional level (such as being a truck driver or bus driver), understanding the possible consequences of traffic tickets is important to know.  Knowing the penalties can help guide how you approach fighting them or choosing to just pay the ticket and deal with the consequences.

If you receive a traffic ticket in Columbus Ohio, you will likely have questions like: Can I go to jail? If so, for how long? How can having an Ohio traffic attorney like you help my situation? Below, we will take a closer look at the possible jail time a driver can face in Columbus Ohio in relation to traffic tickets.

What Kind of Traffic Tickets Exist?

The most common kind of traffic ticket is a speeding ticket. It is a very common traffic violation in Columbus Ohio. According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol statistics, 1,685,985 speed violations were handled from 2016 to 2020.

Other common traffic violations that may result in traffic tickets include:

• Reckless operation of a vehicle
• Right of way
• Passing a school bus
• Street racing
• Violations of traffic devices like lights and signs

The traffic ticket you receive may change the possible consequences you face. Reach out to The Maher Law Firm with further questions about your individual situation by calling 614-205-2208.

How Long do You go to Jail for Traffic Tickets in Ohio?

Many traffic tickets in Columbus Ohio do not carry the possibility for jail time.  That being said, missing court or not hiring a Columbus traffic attorney to go for you can result in a warrant for your arrest, license blocks, and additional court costs. Even though many tickets don’t involve the risk of jail time, there are plenty of situations where you might be facing jail time.

To provide a specific example, we will look at different speeding scenarios that have different penalties. According to the Ohio Revised Code Section 4511.21, the following speeding cases can affect the possible penalties for a driver beyond just needing to pay a fine:

• Construction zones: You will see your traffic fine doubled if you are speeding in a construction zone with posted signage and workers present.
• Minor misdemeanor: A majority of speeding tickets issued to drivers in Columbus Ohio are minor misdemeanors. The penalties for a speeding ticket like this are up to $150 fine, court costs, and up to 30 hours of community service.
• Fourth-degree misdemeanor: If you have two speeding tickets within the previous year, the ticket can be a fourth-degree misdemeanor. A fourth-degree misdemeanor carries a fine of up to $250, court costs, up to 30 days in jail, and up to 200 hours of community service.
• Third-degree misdemeanor: A third-degree misdemeanor may occur if you have three or more previous traffic-related violations within a one-year period. The possible penalties for this kind of misdemeanor include a fine of up to $500, court costs, up to 60 days in jail, and up to 200 hours of community service.

Other jail time penalties for traffic tickets in Columbus Ohio will vary based on the level of offense lawmakers have assigned to the prohibited behavior.

Other penalties that can result from a traffic ticket include probation, points being added to your driver’s license, increased insurance rates, and driver’s license suspensions or revocations.

Contact Maher Law Firm to Speak with a Traffic Ticket Defense Lawyer

If you are facing traffic tickets in Columbus Ohio, contact The Maher Law Firm today. Call attorney Maher at 614-205-2208 or reach out online for a free, no-obligation phone consultation.