What is Annie’s Law?

Annie’s Law went into effect on April 6, 2017 and it has changed the penalties and how Judges handle DUI convictions in the state of Ohio.   It is a law that encourages defendants charged with their first DUI to install an interlock device in their vehicle.  Also, it changed the minimum drivers license suspension for a first conviction from 6 months to 1 -year.

Key Changes:

1. Instead of Limited driving privileges, a person convicted of their first DUI can ask a Judge for unlimited privileges, but with the interlock device installed in their vehicle.

2. If the Judge agrees to these unlimited driving privileges with the interlock device, a Judge may not send the Defendant to jail, however they may still make the drivers intervention program a condition of probation. The judge may also reduce the suspension to 6 months.

3. Creates a new violation of law called “IID VIOLATION” for Ignition Interlock**.

4. The law also changes the “lookback” period for DUI/OVI from 6 years to 10 years.

5. Lengthens license suspensions for those with multiple DUIs.