Most Wright State students drive. They commute in on I-675 and Colonel Glenn Highway, drive to jobs and internships in Fairborn and Beavercreek, and head home late after class, work, or a night out. That much time on the road means more chances for a traffic stop, and a stop can quickly turn into an OVI charge, a criminal citation, or a letter from the university. When a Wright State student is charged with a crime or an OVI, Fogt Law helps them and their family protect what matters most: a clean record, a place at school, and a future career.
A charge is not a conviction. It is the start of a process, and there are often more options than a scared student or worried parent realizes at 2 a.m.
OVI Stops on I-675, Colonel Glenn, and Around Fairborn and Beavercreek
For a commuter school, the most common serious charge often starts with a traffic stop: drifting over a lane line on I-675, speeding on Colonel Glenn Highway, or a stop on the way home through Fairborn or Beavercreek. From there, an officer may ask questions, ask for field sobriety tests, and request a breath, blood, or urine test.
Chris Fogt is SFST-certified, which means he is trained in the same standardized field sobriety tests officers use. He knows how those tests are supposed to be given and scored, and where they go wrong. Weather, footwear, the roadside surface, nerves, and how the instructions were given can all matter. Every part of the stop is reviewed, from the reason for the stop to the testing that followed.
Common Charges Wright State Students Face
- Underage OVI. Ohio law sets a much lower limit for drivers under 21. Under ORC 4511.19(B), a driver under 21 can be charged with a blood-alcohol concentration of at least 0.02 but less than 0.08. At 0.08 or higher, the regular OVI charge applies.
- Adult OVI. Students 21 and older face the same OVI charge as any other driver under ORC 4511.19(A).
- Underage possession or consumption of alcohol. Ohio law prohibits people under 21 from buying, possessing, or consuming beer or liquor, or being under the influence in public (ORC 4301.69(E)(1)). It is a first-degree misdemeanor, the most serious level of misdemeanor in Ohio.
- Fake ID. Using a fake ID, someone else's ID, or lending yours out is a first-degree misdemeanor under ORC 4507.30 and 4507.99, and it can create problems in the university process too.
- Open container. Drinking or carrying an open container in public or in a car is a separate offense (ORC 4301.62). It is usually a minor misdemeanor, but it still creates a record and can be raised in the university process.
- Marijuana and drug charges. Ohio's adult-use marijuana law does not protect anyone under 21. Students under 21 can still face marijuana possession charges, and pipes, bongs, and other paraphernalia can bring additional charges. Other drug charges can be much more serious.
- Assault, theft, disorderly conduct, and other offenses that can follow a night out.
How a Charge Can Affect School, Scholarships, and Careers
A criminal case is only half the problem. Wright State's Code of Student Conduct covers misconduct on university premises, and it also reaches off-campus conduct when the behavior has or may have an adverse impact on the university community. Wright State's Office of Community Standards and Student Conduct runs the student conduct process. Under the Code, the university may pursue disciplinary action without waiting for the criminal case to finish, and a dismissed or reduced criminal charge does not stop the university from going forward.
That means one stop or one night can lead to:
- A university conduct case with its own possible sanctions
- Questions about merit scholarships, athletic eligibility, or school-based financial aid, depending on the terms of each scholarship or program
- Problems with internships, co-ops, and professional programs
- Background-check issues for nursing, teaching, engineering, law, medical, and government careers
What you say in the criminal case can affect the conduct case, and the reverse is true too. The goal is to plan for both so that one does not hurt the other.
What to Do Right After an Arrest or Citation
- Stay calm and be polite. Give your name and ID, but you do not have to explain what happened.
- Do not discuss the case with police, roommates, or on social media or group chats.
- Keep every paper you were given, including the citation, bond papers, and any university email.
- Call a lawyer before your first court date and before any meeting with the university.
For Parents
Getting that phone call is hard. Your son or daughter is scared, and you want two things: to protect your child's future, and to know someone is handling it.
With your student's permission, Fogt Law can keep you informed about the case. We explain each step in plain language, tell you what to expect in court and in the university process, and work toward the result that protects your student's record. Many cases can often be handled without your student missing much class.
The Local Courts
Wright State's main campus is in Greene County, between Fairborn and Beavercreek. Fairborn Municipal Court serves Fairborn, Bath Township, Beavercreek, and Beavercreek Township. It handles traffic cases, OVIs, and misdemeanors from those communities and holds preliminary hearings in felony cases. Felony cases are handled by the Greene County Common Pleas Court in Xenia.
The Wright State University Police Department provides 24-hour police service on campus. Its officers are full-time, sworn State of Ohio peace officers with full authority to enforce state laws, local ordinances, and university policies, and the department works with the Office of Community Standards and Student Conduct. Stops on nearby roads may also be made by Fairborn or Beavercreek police or the Ohio State Highway Patrol. Fogt Law will tell you exactly where your case is and what happens next.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my parents find out?
If you are 18 or older, court records are generally public, but we will not share details of your case with anyone without your permission. Many students decide to bring their parents in, and we are glad to help with that conversation.
Will Wright State find out about an off-campus arrest?
It may. Wright State police work alongside the student conduct office, and the Code of Student Conduct can apply to off-campus conduct. It is safer to plan for a conduct case than to hope one never comes.
Can this stay off my record?
Many records can be sealed. Under Ohio law, most misdemeanor convictions can be sealed one year after the case is finished, and minor misdemeanors after six months. Dismissed cases can often be sealed sooner. OVI and most traffic convictions cannot be sealed, which is one more reason to fight those charges from the start. No result can be promised, but we look for these options from day one.
Do I need a lawyer for a "minor" charge like underage possession?
A small charge can still show up on background checks and in the university process. It is worth a conversation before you plead to anything.
What if I already talked to the police?
That is common. Do not panic. Call us and we will go over what was said and what it means.
Talk With a Dayton-Area Defense Lawyer
If you or your student has been charged near Wright State, in Fairborn or Beavercreek, or on I-675 or Colonel Glenn Highway, call Fogt Law at (937) 254-2600. Our office is at 5335 Far Hills Ave., Dayton. We will talk through what happened, what comes next, and how to protect school and future plans.
Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome in any future case. Fogt Law is not affiliated with or endorsed by Wright State University.
