No matter how careful you might be, you can never prepare for the sudden impact of a drunk driving arrest, a traffic violation, or any other criminal charges brought against you. In an instant your life can change. You might find yourself behind bars, your car has been towed, and you are facing criminal prosecution. A conviction in any of these cases can be even more damaging. You could be facing jail time, heavy fines, suspension of your driver’s license, and lost opportunities for future employment. Imagine the impact that not being able to drive anymore would have on your family and your life. Now more than ever is the time to choose wisely when considering legal defense. Our attorneys have been defending cases like these in the southeastern region of Michigan for over two decades.
Under Michigan law, operating/driving a motor vehicle under the influence (OUI/DUI), and operating/driving a motor vehicle while impaired (OWI/DWI), are generally misdemeanors. However, if you have previously been convicted of an alcohol related driving offense in the past, the matter can be charges as a felony. The punishment for drunk driving varies greatly by circumstance. It fluctuates based on whether it is a first, second, or subsequent arrest, the level of blood alcohol detected, and whether a child is present in the car at the time of arrest. Your driver’s license will be suspended, but you are eligible for a restricted license in some instances to drive to and from your employment. Depending on the circumstance, you can be sentenced to jail time for up to 93 days for a first offense to a period of years for multiple offenses.
There are a number of stages in every OUIL/OWI arrest. They include the stop, the arrest, breath and/or blood tests, and field sobriety tests. Mistakes are often made in each of these steps. A thorough examination of the facts of your case by an experienced attorney is crucial in trying to fight a prosecutor’s case. There are many potential legal defenses and technical defenses to an OUIL/OWI charge, but only an aggressive attorney with expertise in Michigan’s OUIL/OWI law knows where to look for them.
Criminal cases in Michigan may be brought by any governmental entity, e.g. the federal government, state, city/township or, or the county. Our law firm specializes in criminal matters brought in state court by the county prosecutor or local police and city attorneys. If you or someone you know has been charged with a crime it is important to have experienced legal representation present with you when talking to the police. Police detectives are trained in getting you to waive your right to an attorney. Don’t fall into their trap. They often are burdened with hundreds of cases at one time. While they mean well, it is impossible to represent your best interests under these circumstances. If you or someone you know has been charged with a crime you want a lawyer with expertise and experience in dealing with criminal defense cases to insure the best possible chance of a fair trial by jury or lessening or dropping of the charges.
Our law firm is a small law firm with limited clientele. This way we can give each of our clients the personal attention and care they deserve. If you or someone you know has been charged with DUI/DWI, a traffic offense, or a crime, contact us to schedule your free no-obligation consultation. You can rest assured that your case will be handled with care and concern and that we will aggressively pursue your goals and use every legally available means to fight for your rights.
