Williams County License Hearing Guide

Navigating a Williams County, Ohio OVI Arrest: A Detailed Guide

If you've been arrested for Operating a Vehicle Impaired (OVI) in Williams County, Ohio, you're likely facing an immediate Administrative License Suspension (ALS) and the daunting task of retrieving your impounded vehicle. This guide provides specific, actionable information to help you navigate the complex legal and logistical challenges ahead.

Immediate Steps After an OVI Arrest in Williams County

Your first challenge is likely dealing with the Corrections Center of Northwest Ohio (CCNO) in Stryker. Be aware that upon arrival, you'll face a mandatory $100 booking fee and a $66.09 daily "pay-to-stay" charge automatically deducted from any commissary account. This immediate financial burden adds to the stress of the situation.

Retrieving Your Impounded Vehicle: A Step-by-Step Guide

The roadside aftermath of an OVI arrest often involves the non-consent tow of your vehicle. Here's how to navigate the process of getting it back:

1. Identify the Towing Company: In Williams County, John's Towing in Bryan is a primary partner for roadside extractions. However, if your vehicle is being held as evidence due to a felony OVI charge or a misdemeanor OVI with prior convictions, it may be at a secured municipal or county impound lot operated by the Bryan Police Department or the Williams County Sheriff's Office.

2. Determine the Vehicle's Location: Contact the non-emergency dispatch line of the arresting agency (Bryan PD or the Williams County Sheriff's Office) to confirm the exact location of your vehicle.

3. Obtain a Vehicle Release Form: Before heading to the tow yard, you must obtain a vehicle release form from the headquarters of the arresting agency. The tow yard cannot release your vehicle without it.

4. Address the "License Trap": Because your license is likely suspended, you cannot legally drive the vehicle off the lot. You must be accompanied by a licensed driver with a valid, unexpired driver's license. They will need to present their license to the tow yard.

5. Gather Required Documents: The registered owner of the vehicle must be present with a valid, government-issued photo ID and proof of ownership (vehicle title or current registration).

6. Contact the Towing Company and Schedule a Pickup: Call the towing company to confirm their hours of operation and schedule an arrival window. Towing operations in rural areas like Williams County often have limited staffing, especially during lunch (typically 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM).

7. Understand Towing Fees: The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) regulates towing fees. Be prepared to pay for the tow and daily storage fees.

Potential Cost Savings: The "Half-Fee Drop Rule"

If family members or sober passengers were present at the time of your arrest, Ohio law (Ohio Revised Code 4513.60 and 4513.601) offers a potential cost-saving measure. If they arrived after the vehicle was prepared for removal but before it was actually towed onto the public roadway, the towing service is legally obligated to release the vehicle upon payment of a fee not exceeding one-half of the standard $144 removal rate. Passengers should immediately assert this right to the tow operator and pay the drop fee on site.

OVI Enforcement Patterns in Williams County

The Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP), the Williams County Sheriff's Office, and the Bryan Police Department are the primary agencies responsible for OVI enforcement in Williams County. Expect increased enforcement during weekends (Friday-Sunday, 10:00 PM - 3:00 AM) and during national campaigns like "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" (DSOGPO) which occurs in late summer (mid-August through Labor Day) and during the winter holidays (December 13th through January 1st). Sobriety checkpoints are often positioned on primary state routes and county arteries.

The Repeat Offender Reality

Ohio has a high rate of repeat OVI offenders. This reality often leads local prosecutors in Williams County to take a tough stance during plea negotiations.

SCRAM as a Logistical Bridge

Given the limited public transportation in Williams County, consider using mobile SCRAM (Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitoring) installation services. This can serve as a vital logistical bridge for suspended drivers.

Vehicle Immobilization and Forfeiture

If you have two or more prior OVI convictions within the past ten years, your vehicle is subject to mandatory, immediate immobilization.

Next Steps

Contact the Bryan Police Department at (419) 636-3600 or the Williams County Sheriff's Office at (419) 636-3151 to determine the location of your vehicle and obtain the necessary release forms.