Repeat OVI Lawyer in Norwalk, OH

Experienced Legal Help for Second or Subsequent Drunk Driving Arrests

A repeat OVI charge in Norwalk carries far harsher penalties than a first offense. With prior convictions on your record, you could face mandatory jail time, longer license suspensions, higher fines, and the possibility of felony charges. At Patrick M. Farrell Co. L.P.A., we understand what is at stake and fight to limit the impact of these charges. Attorney Patrick M. Farrell has more than 30 years of courtroom experience and has successfully defended countless clients facing multiple OVI arrests. We represent drivers in Norwalk Municipal Court and throughout Huron County, giving us the local knowledge to anticipate how prosecutors and judges approach repeat OVI cases.

Repeat OVI Laws in Ohio

Under Ohio Revised Code § 4511.19, operating a vehicle while impaired by alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both is a criminal offense. For drivers with prior OVI convictions, the penalties escalate significantly.

• A second offense within 10 years is a first-degree misdemeanor with mandatory jail, higher fines, and a longer suspension
• A third offense within 10 years can result in up to one year in jail, heavy fines, and suspension of up to 12 years
• A fourth OVI in 10 years or a sixth in 20 years is a felony – a prior felony OVI also makes any new OVI a felony, with possible prison, vehicle forfeiture, and permanent license revocation

How Repeat OVI Cases Are Handled in Norwalk Courts

Repeat OVI cases in Norwalk, Ohio, are treated much more seriously than first-time offenses. The Norwalk Municipal Court hears many misdemeanor repeat OVI charges, but a case goes to the Huron County Court of Common Pleas only if it is filed as a felony, such as felony OVI or a crash causing serious injury or death.

Attorney Patrick M. Farrell has decades of experience defending clients with prior OVI convictions in both the Norwalk Municipal Court and the Huron County Court of Common Pleas. His knowledge of how prosecutors handle repeat offenders, combined with his deep understanding of local court procedures, allows him to craft strong defense strategies that target the state’s approach to repeat OVI cases.

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How Repeat OVI Cases Are Prosecuted in Ohio

Most repeat OVI cases in Norwalk begin in the Norwalk Municipal Court, but they move to the Huron County Court of Common Pleas only if filed as felonies, such as felony OVI or cases involving serious injury or death. 

Prosecutors often rely on:

• Breathalyzer or blood test results
• Field sobriety test performance
• Officer testimony and dashcam footage
• Witness statements
• Certified records of prior OVI convictions

Because prior convictions increase mandatory penalties, prosecutors pursue repeat offenders aggressively. Without skilled representation, you risk severe and lasting consequences.

How We Defend Against a Repeat OVI Charge

Our Norwalk OVI defense attorneys build defenses tailored to the specific facts of your case and your prior record. Possible defense strategies include:

• Challenging the legality of the traffic stop or arrest
• Contesting the accuracy of breath or blood test results
• Questioning whether field sobriety tests were conducted properly
• Reviewing maintenance and calibration records for testing devices
• Identifying flaws in how prior convictions are used to enhance penalties
• Negotiating for reduced charges, limited driving privileges, or treatment-based alternatives

Penalties for Repeat OVI in Norwalk

The penalties for repeat OVI charges in Ohio increase sharply with each conviction:

• Second Offense (within 10 years): 10 days to 6 months in jail, fines up to $1,625, license suspension up to 7 years, and mandatory alcohol treatment
• Third Offense (within 10 years): 30 days to 1 year in jail, fines up to $2,750, suspension up to 12 years, and ignition interlock requirements
• Fourth in 10 years, Sixth in 20 years, or any new OVI after a prior felony OVI: Felony charges, potential prison, permanent license revocation, and vehicle forfeiture

Collateral consequences also include skyrocketing insurance rates, disqualification of a CDL, loss of employment requiring a clean record, and possible immigration complications for non-citizens.

Early Action Can Change the Outcome

Repeat OVI cases in Norwalk move quickly, with prosecutors building their case immediately after arrest using chemical tests, police reports, and prior conviction records. The sooner you act, the more options you have. Hiring an experienced defense attorney gives you the best chance to reduce or even dismiss charges, avoid excessive penalties, and protect your driving privileges. Attorney Patrick M. Farrell’s decades of experience in Norwalk and Huron County courts mean he knows how to anticipate the prosecution’s approach and develop a defense strategy that fits your case.

Protect Your Future After a Repeat OVI Arrest in Norwalk

What happens next depends on the steps you take today. If you are facing a repeat OVI charge in Ohio, prosecutors may already be building their case with breath test results, prior conviction records, police reports, and dashcam footage. At Patrick M. Farrell Co. L.P.A., our Norwalk repeat OVI defense lawyers know how to challenge the prosecution’s case, expose weaknesses in testing and prior records, and fight for reduced or alternative penalties whenever possible. Protect your future by putting an experienced defense team on your side and contact us today for a free, confidential case evaluation.

​​Call or Text: 216-661-5050 • Contact: Send Us a Message • Email: cindy@patfarrelllaw.com