ADMINISTRATIVE LICENSE SUSPENSION - OVI-DUI LAWYER
Administrative License Suspension
When you are charged with a drunk driving offense (DUI or OVI), your license is placed under an immediate suspension- even if you have been wrongly charged with DUI! This suspension is called an Administrative License Suspension (or ALS) and is considered a civil penalty as opposed to criminal.
You can receive driving privileges while under an ALS, but only AFTER the “hard time” is up. There are limited opportunities to challenge and teminate the ALS. These challenges are limited by time so contact the DUI – OVI Attorneys at Stiefvater Law, LLC immediately to preserve your challenge. The length of the suspension and hard time depends upon whether you refused the chemical test (most often a breathalyzer) and the number of drunk driving convictions you have within the past ten (10) years.
If you are convicted of OVI, the Administrative License Suspension is terminated and you are then placed under a court ordered or judicial suspension. Click here to view OVI/DUI penalties.
Even if you beat your DUI, if the ALS has not been challenged and defeated, your license will remain suspended under the Administrative License Suspension laws. It is imperative that you speak with a DUI lawyer immediately after you have been charged because you have only 30 days to challenge the ALS!
The length of the Administrative License Suspension depends upon the number of prior drunk driving convictions. See below:
First Offense in Ten Years
Failed chemical test- 90 day license suspension. Driving privileges after 15 day hard time.
Refused chemical test- 1 year suspension. Driving privileges after 30 day hard time.
Second Offense in Ten Years
Failed chemical test- 1 year suspension. Driving privileges after 45 day hard time.
Refused chemical test- 2 year suspension. Driving privileges after 90 day hard time.
Third Offense in Ten Years
Failed chemical test- 2 year suspension. Driving privileges after 180 day hard time.
Refused chemical test- 3 year suspension. Driving privileges after 1 year hard time.
Four or more Offenses in Ten Years
Failed chemical test- 3 year suspension. Driving privileges after 3 years hard time.
Refused chemical test- 5 year suspension. Driving privileges after 3 years hard time.
Main Law Office:
Stiefvater Law, LLC
8748 Brecksville Rd., Ste 216
Brecksville, Ohio 44141
Robert can be reached at
Satellite Office:
Stiefvater Law, LLC
6100 Oak Tree Blvd., Ste 200
Independence, Ohio 44131
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This website is maintained for informational purposes only. Please see the disclaimer.
Stiefvater Law, LLC has had the privilege to defend countless individuals. Founding Attorney Robert Stiefvater practices throughout Ohio- Federal; including but not limited to the following jurisdictions- County: Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Erie, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Portage, Stark, and Summit- the following Municipal: Bedford, Berea, Cleveland, Cleveland Heights, Euclid, Garfield Heights, Lakewood, Lyndhurst, Parma, Rocky River, Shaker Heights, Sandusky, Vermillion, Chardon, Mentor, Painesville, Willoughby, Avon Lake, Elyria, Lorain, Oberlin, Medina, Wadsworth, Canton, Massillon, Akron, and Stow- and the following Mayor’s Beachwood, Boston Heights, Broadview Heights, Brook Park, Brooklyn, Chagrin Falls, Independence, Middleburg Heights, Newburgh Heights, North Royalton, Seven Hills, Strongsville, Avon, North Ridgeville, Brunswick, Boston Heights, Cuyahoga Falls, Fairlawn, Macedonia, and Northfield.
If you have been charged with a crime or a DUI - OVI, and need an OVI lawyer or local criminal defense attorney:
Trust Attorney Stiefvater to defend you against any of the following criminal charges:
Aiding & Abetting, Accessory, Arson, Assault, Attempt, Battery, Bribery, Burglary, Child Abandonment, Child Abuse, Child Endangering, Child Pornography, Computer Crime, Conspiracy, Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor, Credit Card Fraud, Contempt of Court, Cyber Bullying, Debit Card Fraud, Disorderly Conduct, Disturbing the Peace, Domestic Violence, Drug Cultivation, Drug Manufacturing, Drug Trafficking, Drug Distribution, Drug Possession, Embezzlement, Extortion, Forgery, Fraud, Harassment, Hate Crime, Homicide, Indecent Exposure, Identity Theft, Insurance Fraud, Kidnapping, Larceny, Manslaughter, Medical Marijuana, Money Laundering, Murder, Open Container, Perjury, Probation Violation, Prostitution, Public Intoxication, RICO (racketeering), Rape, Robbery, Securities Fraud, Sexual Assault, Shoplifting, Solicitation, Stalking, Statutory Rape, Tax Evasion, Tax Fraud, Telemarketing Fraud, Theft, Underage Possession, Vandalism, White Collar Crime, and Wire Fraud;
or any of the following traffic
Assured Clear Distance, Child Restraint Violation, Driving in Marked Lanes, Driving without a License, Driving with a Suspended License, Driving without Registration, Driving with Expired Registration, Driving Under Suspension (DUS), Drunk Driving-DUI-OVI-DWI, Failure to Control, Failure to Yield, Illegal U-Turn, Leaving the Scene of an Accident (Hit-Skip or Hit and Run), Mechanical Violations (Equipment Violations), Reckless Driving (Reckless Operation), Running a Red Light, Running a Stop Sign, Seat Belt Violation, Speeding, Unlawful Vehicle Modifications, and Wrongful Entrustment.