Getting charged with driving under the influence can be a scary experience. To navigate the moments, hours, and days immediately following a DUI arrest, it can be helpful to know what to expect and how your life might change. Below, DUI attorney James F. Bogen, Attorney at Law, in Cincinnati, OH, explains what happens right after getting charged with drunk driving.

What Happens After Getting a DUI?

1. You Are Arrested & Booked

The officer will first arrest you and read the Miranda Rights. Your vehicle will be impounded until you or a loved one can retrieve it. You'll be brought to the police station, where you’ll be booked. This involves taking your fingerprints and mugshot and confiscating and inventorying any personal belongings. At this point, you'll be permitted to make a phone call, so it's smart to get in touch with a DUI attorney.

2. Receive a Summons

During or right after the arrest, you’ll be served with a summons to appear in court. The summons will state where and when the preliminary hearing is to take place. At the hearing, the court will share the details of the state's case against you, and you’ll be allowed to enter a formal plea of guilty or not guilty.

3. Lose Your Driver's License

Even if this is your first drunk driving offense, your license will be suspended for a specific period of time. In Ohio, if you are convicted your license is suspended for a minimum of one year and a maximum of three years for a first offense; the exact length depends on the details of the case, such as your blood alcohol content (BAC) when you are initially pulled over. Bear in mind that even though your license is revoked, you might still be eligible for certain driving privileges once a set amount of time has passed.

4. Pay Fines & Possibly Go to Jail

There will be some fines associated with a DUI, even for a first-time offense. In Ohio, the amount you pay will be determined by whether or not this is your first drunk driving charge, whether you submitted to a breathalyzer, and what the BAC was. You might also have to serve some time in jail. Ohio law requires a minimum of three days for a first-time, "low level" offender, but this can be waived if you agree to have an interlock ignition device installed in your vehicle.

While it's beneficial to know what will happen after being charged with a drunk driving offense, your best course of action is to hire a DUI attorney. James F. Bogen, Attorney at Law, has more than a decade of experience in felony, misdemeanor, and DUI defense cases. Visit his website to learn more about his practice areas, or call (513) 503-7251 to schedule an appointment with a DUI attorney today.