OVI/DUI Court In Fairfield Shows Promise as the Second of Its Kind In the State
If you are charged with a second or third OVI offense in Fairfield may qualify for a new program handled solely through the new OVI court. This court was started in January of this year in response to the large number of reoffending drunk drivers. As this article from the Fairfield Echo points out, Judge Joyce Campbell states the court was created to reduce the number of people reoffending and keep Ohio roadways safer.
According to Campbell, Fairfield Municipal Court saw over 700 OVI/DUI cases last year and over 1/3 of them were 2nd or 3rd time offenders. It seems like many other criminal behaviors, OVI’s may be a hard cycle to break in the lives of many people. The hope with a court like this is that the root problem can be addressed and handled rather than simply punished.
Participation in the OVI court program is voluntary and not everyone qualifies. For those that do, they must plead guilty and serve their sentence. Once out of jail they will be monitored for alcohol consumption, be required to check in at court once a week, participate in outpatient drug and alcohol treatment, and even undergo acupuncture.
Studies show that OVI courts are effective in reducing recidivism with a rate of return offenders at only 4%. In contrast, OVI offenders going through regular court systems show a recidivism rate of near 25%. This is a remarkable success rate and it seems one that all parties benefit from.
Regular DUI penalties are also harsh and this new OVI court certainly isn’t the easy way out. It does, however, increase the chance that people will be less likely to get behind the wheel following a night of drinking.
If you are facing OVI charges in Fairfield or Clermont County, you could qualify for the OVI court. If not, there are programs in many Ohio counties to increase your chances of success. Call today to discuss your OVI case and to see what options are available to you.
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