Fairfield-Echo.com

For those who think the type of person convicted for operating a vehicle while impaired is limited to a certain demographic, Karen Long, chief probation officer for the City of Fairfield, has a message.

Think again.

While some people might perceive a typical OVI offender as "a stumbling drunk," nothing could be further from the truth, Long said. There is no "typical" OVI offender.

"It can happen to anyone," she said. "Any person can have an OVI. Any age. Any race. Any income.

"Anybody can make a mistake — and it's a costly one," she said.

A lapse of judgement at dinner or a social function can mean "one for the road" translates into a blood alcohol content level high enough to take a driver off the road for 180 days.

In general, OVI offenders in Fairfield Municipal Court also are required to pay fines, attend a one-day class, perform three days of community service and be the subject of a drug and alcohol assessment to determine if they have a problem, Long said.

They also must report to a probation officer for two years, she said.

On a case-by-case basis, driving privileges can be restored but only to and from work and sometimes with a device that monitors blood alcohol levels before a vehicle's ignition can start, Long said.

Subsequent OVI convictions can spell increased fines, electronic monitoring and jail time for an offender.

No matter what the similarities, no one offender goes through precisely what another does, she said.

"We've dealt with tons and tons and tons" of OVI cases, Long said. "Every case is unique and individual."

Long said before imbibing alcohol in any amount, people need to consider the possible ramifications of sliding behind the wheel afterward.

"It's not 'you shouldn't have 10 beers and drive,' " she said. "It's 'you shouldn't drink and drive.' "

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