Cincinnati Street Racing Attorney

The popular “Fast & Furious” movie series brings in big bucks at the box office with the cinematic thrill of attractive people driving expensive sports cars at dangerous speeds. But if you are suspected of letting your inner Vin Diesel or Michelle Rodriguez play out your own version of The Fast & The Furious on a public street or highway in Ohio, you could find yourself facing a serious criminal charge.

Ohio makes street racing or drag racing a serious misdemeanor offense. Under some circumstances, it can also be a felony. The long-term consequences for a conviction may include:

• A jail sentence
• Costly fines
• Loss of your driver’s license
• Points on your driver’s license
• A permanent criminal record
• Increased car insurance rates
• Greater likelihood of being found negligent in a lawsuit if your street racing resulted in an accident

If you or a family member has been charged with street racing, a skilled Ohio traffic defense lawyer may be able to help. Depending on the circumstances of the charge, you may have options for fighting the allegation and getting your case dismissed or your penalties reduced.

What is Street Racing?

Street racing involves two or more cars competing to get from one fixed point to another fixed point at speeds over the speed limit. You can be charged with street racing if you’re one of the drivers, or you help arrange the race, or even if you’re there cheering the drivers on. Under Ohio law, any “participant” in a drag race can be charged with a misdemeanor crime.

Under Ohio Rev. Code 4511.251, you may be charged with drag racing when the following circumstances exist:

• Two or more vehicles
• Operating side by side
• At speeds in excess of the speed limit
• On a public road or highway

OR

• Two or more vehicles
• Starting from a common starting point
• Rapidly accelerating to speeds in excess of the speed limit
• On a public road or highway

Street racing is a 1st degree misdemeanor offense in Ohio. That’s the most serious category of misdemeanor. If you’re convicted, the penalties may include:

• Up to 180 days in jail
• A fine of up to $1,000
• Driver’s license suspension for 30 days to 3 years
• 6 points on your driver’s license

Defending Your Cincinnati Street Racing Charge

In order to convict you of street racing, there are a number of things that a prosecutor must prove beyond a reasonable doubt. For example, if there weren’t at least two vehicles, there was no street racing. If there was no speeding, there was no street racing. If there was no common starting point, there was no street racing.

How an Ohio Street Racing Attorney from LHA Can Help

An experienced Cincinnati traffic defense lawyer can look at the evidence and testimony the prosecutor is using to build a case against you and find the flaws that might provide reasonable doubt. Each case is unique, and the circumstances of your case may allow for a qualified attorney to present arguments that get your case dismissed.

Alternatively, a good traffic defense lawyer who knows the local courts and prosecutors in the Cincinnati area may be able to negotiate to get your charge or your penalties reduced.

Cited for Street Racing? Call a Qualified Ohio Street Racing Attorney from LHA Today.

Criminal charges can be an overwhelming and frightening experience. You are probably worried about your freedoms and privileges being at stake and have a lot of questions. You can rest assured, because Cincinnati traffic lawyer Brad Groene is here for you. Get the justice that you deserve. Don’t hesitate to contact us today at (513) 338-1890 or email us at advice@cincinnaticriminalattorney.com.