The Mahoning County OVI Task Force will be conducting an OVI checkpoint some time during the weekend of July 7-9.

Details on the exact date, time and location of the checkpoint will be released later in the week.

In the meantime, law enforcement agencies from across Mahoning County will be conducting saturation patrols from July 4 into the weekend.

During this time, law enforcement will be strictly enforcing drunk driving laws throughout the county with a goal of making the roadways safer.

If caught driving under the influence between fines, court costs and attorney fees it can cost someone around $1,500 on a first offense. On top of that, there are hidden costs. A person has to pay $475 to reinstate their license and their insurance rates will go up.

“An OVI is quite an expensive problem to have,” Attorney James Lanzo said. 

A person's license will be suspended for at least 90 days after failing an OVI test . If convicted of the OVI in court, the suspension could be extended to 1 year on the first offense or more for repeat offenders. 

On top of all that a person could face jail time.

“First offense you can be jailed for up to six months. On a second offense, again up to six months, but your minimum time is 6 days in a county jail or 3 days in a county jail and three days of drivers intervention program,” Lanzo said. 

An OVI conviction can also cost someone their job. 

“If they see an OVI in your past, typically an employer is going to deny you employment for that reason because you become an insurance issue,” Lanzo said. 

The record will follow a person around for years. After a first offense it takes 10 years for a record to reset and eliminate the potential for a second offense. Additionally if someone is convicted of an OVI they can get a second offense at any time during the next 20 years for refusing to take a breathalyzer when pulled over.

If you plan on drinking, be sure to have someone sober available to drive you home.