A YouTube video making the rounds in Washington and the rest of the country may have played a role in an Ohio man's being indicted on DUI charges. In the video, the man admits to causing a drunk driving crash that resulted in the death of a 61-year-old man.

In the incident, which occurred on June 22, 2013, the 22-year-old man was driving in the wrong direction on a highway in the Columbus area. In the video, he said that his legal counsel advised him that he could beat the charges but that he didn't feel comfortable with the moral implications of doing so. After the video was released, the man was indicted on an aggravated homicide charge and a DUI charge, and the county prosecutor's office made a statement to the effect that his conviction video would be entered as evidence against him. He claims that he plans on entering a guilty plea in court.

The man claims that his video confession was intended to serve as a warning to other motorists who might drive under the influence of alcohol. The independent filmmaker who helped him create the video made a similar assertion. If he is convicted, the man will serve up to eight years in prison for the homicide charge alone. It is unknown how the additional DUI charge might affect his potential sentence.

Felony DUI charges can carry significantly higher penalties than their misdemeanor counterparts. Those convicted may face serious difficulties trying to resume their lives and hold jobs after their sentences are handed down. DUI attorneys may be able to help these individuals appeal their sentences even if they decide to confess to drunk driving.

Source: Los Angeles Times, "Ohio man indicted after confessing on YouTube to drunk-driving crash", Matt Pearce, September 09, 2013