If I am charged with an OVI, Will I be forced to put "Party Plates" on my Car?

Personally I am opposed to branding, shaming, and/or using humiliation as a method of punishment.  If you are charged with an OVI, I will fight to keep restricted license plates (A.K.A. “Party Plates”) off of your car. 

If you are convicted of an OVI in Ohio, yellow “Party Plates ” are required in certain circumstances:

• If you are convicted of first offense OVI, a judge has the discretion to order restricted plates as a condition of granting limited driving privileges.
• If, as a result of being charged with an OVI, you are placed under and administrative license suspension (“ALS”), a judge has the discretion to order restricted plates as a condition of granting limited driving privileges.
• If you are convicted of a high tier first offense OVI, restricted plates are mandatory as a condition of granting limited driving privileges.
• If you are convicted of a second offense OVI within ten years of a first offense conviction, restricted plates are mandatory as a condition of granting limited driving privileges.
• If you are convicted of a fourth offense OVI within 20 years of three prior OVI convictions, restricted plates are mandatory as a condition of limited driving privileges.

If a judge orders restricted plates, you must go the Bureau of Motor Vehicles  (“BMV”) to surrender your normal Ohio license plates.   Once you turn in your license plates, the BMV will issue you the restricted plates.  The restricted license plates must remain on your vehicle for the duration of your license suspension or ALS.