Man with eight DUI charges gets first jail term

YOUNGSTOWN — Despite having seven previous charges of driving under the influence and pleading no contest to an eighth today in municipal court, Daniel Ohle, 51, has never served time in jail.

Judge Elizabeth Kobly told him that is about to change. She said she only regretted she could not give him more time than he is eligible for.

Ohle, who has DUI convictions dating back to 1985, was sentenced to four months in the Mahoning County jail after being found guilty by the judge. He was eligible to receive a six-month sentence, the maximum for a first-degree misdemeanor.

Ohle, of South Schenley Avenue, Youngstown, also was placed on five years’ probation, and the judge said it would be her “pleasure” to have Ohle serve the remaining two months of his sentence if he violates his probation.

If Ohle had received the maximum sentence, the judge would not have been able to place him on probation and monitor his conduct, she explained.

Judge Kobly said perhaps if Ohle had received jail time for any one of his previous convictions, he may have refrained from drinking and driving.

“Our criminal justice system didn’t work very well,” Judge Kobly said.

For the complete story, read Tuesday's Vindicator and Vindy.com