Need information and help with a Michigan DUI?

An experienced Michigan OWI Lawyer can make a huge difference

After a Michigan DUI arrest, you are probably scared about going to jail and having a criminal record. You are concerned about losing your driver's license, about having to have an ignition interlock device, and about the employment, insurance and financial implications your arrest may have. If you are like most people who have faced this situation, you may be a little overwhelmed by the complexity of Michigan DUI Law. You have every right to be concerned and afraid because you are facing an allegation that could cause you discomfort and harship now, and affect the rest of your life.

Select the county where you were arrested:

Under Michigan law, the terms DUI and OWI generally refer to the same thing, a criminal drunk driving charge.

Michigan DUI law separates impaired driving charges into several categories with varying degrees of seriousness and penalties. The right attorney can make the difference between jail and no jail, or between a short and a long sentence.

Here are some highlights of the Michigan DUI penalty statutes:

• A first offense misdemeanor DUI carries up to 93 days in jail and a 30 days license suspension followed by another 150 days of restricted driving privileges.
• A second offense carried between 5 days and one year in jail and potential vehicle forfeiture.
• A third conviction carries between 1 and 5 years in jail and a 5 year minimum license suspension.
• DUI related deaths carry up to 15 years in prison in every case, and up to 20 years in prison in some cases.

In addition jail time and license suspensions, if you are convicted you also face heavy fines, alcohol classes and other collateral consequences that a lawyer will help you to negotiate and minimize. There may be career, immigration and insurance issues that could spring from an unrepresented DUI conviction, so it make sense to protect yourself early by consulting with an experienced lawyer who can evaluate the unique circumstances of your case and your life.

There is simply too much at stake in your Michigan DUI case. You need the voice and guidance of a seasoned professional.

Don't go to court or try to handle your license issues without an experienced attorney who concentrated on Michigan DUI cases

Michigan DUI Process: Navigating the criminal court system can be daunting during any criminal prosecution, but especially so in drunk driving cases. This is because, due to the high volume of charges that the courts and prosecutors must process, and due to the fact that a Michigan drunk driving charge is truly the "every-man's" charge, prosecutors and judges may see your case as "routine" and less than serious unless you have a strong voice in the courtroom pointing out that this event and its outcome will have a lasting impact on your life and the lives of those you care about.

In addition to the criminal court process which will determine your guilt or innocence, as well as your sentence and terms of probation if you plead guilty or no contest, or are found guilty, you will also need to navigate the civil license and driving aspects of your MI DUI case. This means dealing with an even more bureaucratic and crowded system: The Michigan DMV. If you value your privilege to legally drive, it makes sense to enlist the help of an attorney who focuses on dealing with DUI license suspension issues in Michigan. Your attorney should also be intimately familiar with the Michigan ignition interlock laws and how they apply to you and your transportation needs.

The Michigan DUI case against you may not be as strong as it seems

Were you given a chemical test for drugs or alcohol? Michigan DUI chemical testing is not foolproof. In fact, a good Michigan DUI lawyer will be on top of all of the latest issues that might benefit your case. If you are not represented, or if you choose the wrong lawyer, you may never learn about scandals within police departments, evidence contamination issues, breath machine failures, missing, disciplined, injured or retired police officers, and many other things that could literally make the difference between your conviction and acquittal or dismissal.

Let a professional review your case today

Because of the high stakes and the complexity of the law and process, it makes sense to talk with a dedicated DUI lawyer before making any life-altering decisions or mistakes in your case. Make sure you talk with a lawyer who has direct experience in the county where you were arrested and who is familiar with the local courts, prosecutors and police officers.

Select the county of your Michigan DUI arrest: