Brought to you by Colorado DUI Drunk Driving Defense

Sterling Heights Drunk Driving Lawyers

1. Tomko, Thomas: Drunk Driving Penalties The penalties for Drunk Driving can be severe, and increase for repeat offenders. A conviction can result in jail time and will affect your right to drive a vehicle. By working with you I can find out what the applicable penalties are in your case. In Michigan, the drinking and driving laws have changed over the years. The most significant changes in the recent past came into effect on October 1, 1999. Since then, persons charged with drinking and driving face the following maximum penalties from the Court: OWI (Intoxicated) MCL 257.625(1) OWI (Impaired) MCL 357.625(3) Zero Tolerance MCL 257.625(6) 1st offense Misdemeanor Misdemeanor Misdemeanor Fines: $100 to $500 Fines: $0 to $300 Fines: Up to $250 Jail: Up to 93 days Jail: Up to 93 days Jail: None Community Service: Up to 45 days Community Service: Up to 45 days Community Service: Up to 45 days Probation: Up to 2 yrs Probation: Up to 2 yrs Probation: Up to 2 yrs Vehicle Immobilized: Up to 180 days Vehicle Immobilized: Up to 180 days Vehicle Immobilized: None 2nd Offense (e.g. one prior MCL 257.625 or MCL 257.653(a) (4) conviction occurring within 7 years of the new offense) Misdemeanor Misdemeanor Misdemeanor Fines: $200 to $1000 Fines: $200 to $1000 Fines: Up to 93 days Jail: 5 days to 1 year Jail: 5 days to 1 year Jail: Up to 93 days Community Service: 30 to 90 days Community Service: 30 to 90 days Community Service: Up to 60 days Probation: Up to 2 yrs Probation: Up to 2 yrs Probation: Up to 2 yrs Vehicle Immobilization minimum of 90 and up to 180 days, unless forfeit Vehicle Immobilization minimum of 90 and up to 180 days, unless forfeit Vehicle Immobilization None (however, forfeit 1-3 years if prior MCL 257.653a3 conviction) Vehicle Forfeiture: available in discretion of Court Vehicle Forfeiture: available in discretion of Court License Plate: required to be confiscated License Plate: required to be confiscated 3rd Offense (e.g. two or more prior MCL 257.625 or MCL 257.653(a)(4) convictions occurring within your lifetime before the new offense) Felony Felony Not Applicable Fines: $500 to $5000 Fines: $500 to $5000 Jail: 1 year to 5 years Jail: 1 year to 5 years Community Service: 60 to 180 days Community Service: 60 to 180 days (Possibility for probation with 30 days to 1 year in jail) (Possibility for probation with 30 days to 1 year in jail) Probation: Up to 5 years Probation: Up to 5 years Vehicle Immobilization minimum of 1 year and up to 3 years, unless forfeit Vehicle Immobilization minimum of 1 year and up to 3 years, unless forfeit Vehicle Forfeiture: available in discretion of Court Vehicle Forfeiture: available in discretion of Court License Plate: required to be confiscated License Plate: required to be confiscated
2. Michigan Law Services: As you may have learned recently, enforcement of laws against impaired driving is extremely active in southeast Michigan. The consequences of any charge of operating while intoxicated (OWI) Ñ sometimes referred to as DWI, DUI, OWIL, OUI, or simply drunk driving Ñ can be severe and life-changing. If you or a family member has been charged with OWI or another alcohol-related offense such as minor in possession (MIP), please contact a criminal and traffic defense lawyer ... Facing even a "basic" first-offense OWI charge without an effective lawyer is a serious risk. If you have other such charges on your record Ñ even over a decade old Ñ or there are aggravating factors such as an accident, this decision becomes even more critical. Jail time is a clear possibility, along with large fines, long-term drivers' license suspension and dramatically increased insurance rates. Investigating Your OWI Arrest and Pursuing All Defense Angles ... the laws and have experience handling OWIs in tough-enforcing courts throughout the area Ñ including those in Novi, Warren, Troy, Bloomfield Hills and Rochester. To help you understand what is at stake, ... assess your case based on factors such as: * Your prior criminal record, including previous OWI or other alcohol/drug-related offenses * The full circumstances of your arrest * The Michigan city and county in which you were arrested It is possible to win dismissals and acquittals in OWI cases. In order to determine how best to handle your situation, we will look at issues such as: * Whether the police had probable cause and reasonable suspicion to stop your vehicle and arrest you * The validity of your Breathalyzer and other physical test results, in light of other successful OWI defense cases * The conduct of law enforcement officials throughout your arrest and detention
3. Janet M. Ziulkowski: You should consult an attorney for individual advice regarding your own situation.
4. Robinette & Walton: Enhanced Penalty BAC Level and Zero Tolerance Laws Many states have "enhanced penalty BAC level" laws that impose harsher penalties for drivers with BAC levels at or above the state's enhanced penalty standards. These laws typically apply to drivers with a particularly high BAC, ranging from .15% to .20%. In addition, all states have "zero tolerance" laws that penalize drivers under age 21 for driving with any trace of alcohol in their systems.
5. Thomas Tomko: In Michigan there are a great number of specific offenses which can be charged when a person is arrested for Drunk Driving.