DUI/OWI and Drunk Driving Lawyers in Lansing and East Lansing
Serving: Ingham, Eaton, and Clinton Counties (Lansing – East Lansing – Okemos – Williamston – Holt – Mason – DeWitt – St. Johns – Grand Ledge – Charlotte)
What is Drunk Driving: In 1975 when I was an Assistant Prosecutor for Ingham County, I could convict a defendant after a 3 day trial, and the sentence would be no jail, no probation, $25.00 fines and costs, and no license suspension. That is no longer the case today. About 11,000 people die each year as a result of drunk driving accidents, i.e. 1 drunk driving death every 50 minutes. As a result, both the legislature and the Courts treat drunk driving cases very seriously, and the laws become more severe every year.
Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) 1st Offense: OWI 1st is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 93 days in jail, up to two years probation, a fine of $100.00 – $500.00, Community Service up to 360 hours, 6 points on driving record, 6 months suspension of driver’s license, Alcohol / Drug Assessment, appropriate substance abuse counseling, and vehicle may be immobilized up to 180 days.
Operating While Intoxicated Enhanced (Super Drunk): This law went into effect October 31, 2010. 1st offenders who have a blood alcohol level over .17% may be charged with OWI Enhanced, which is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 180 days in jail, up to two years probation, a fine of $200 – $700, Community Service up to 360 hours, 6 points on driving record, 1 year suspension of driver’s license, an Alcohol / Drug Assessment, and appropriate substance abuse counseling.
Operating While Intoxicated 2nd Offense: If you have a prior OWI or Impaired Driving conviction within 7 years, you may be charged with OWI 2nd, which is a misdemeanor punishable by not less than 5 days and not more than 1 year in jail, up to two years probation, a fine of $200.00 – $1,000.00, Community Service of 30 days – 90 days, 6 points on driving record, 1 years suspension of driver’s license, an Alcohol / Drug Assessment, appropriate substance abuse counseling, and mandatory vehicle immobilization 24-180 days or possible vehicle forfeiture.
Operating While Intoxicate 3rd Offense: If you have two prior OWI or Impaired convictions in your lifetime, you may be charged with OWI 3rd, which is a felony punishable by either (a) not less than 1 years and not more than 5 years in prison, or (b) not less than 30 days and not more than 1 year in jail and community service for not less than 60 days and nor more than 180 days, up to 5 years probation, a fine of not less than $500.00 and not more than $5,000.00, 6 points on driving record, 5 year revocation of driver’s license, appropriate substance abuse counseling, and mandatory vehicle immobilization of 6 months – 3 years or possible vehicle forfeiture.
Impaired Driving 1st Offense (Impaired): Impaired 1st is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 93 days in jail, up to two years probation, a fine of up to $300.00, Community Service up to 360 hours, 4 points on driving record, 90 days suspension of driver’s license, an Alcohol / Drug Assessment, appropriate substance abuse counseling, and vehicle may be immobilized up to 180 days.
Impaired Driving 2nd Offense: If you have a conviction of Impaired within 7 years, then you may be charged with Impaired 2nd, which is a misdemeanor punishable by not less than 5 days and not more than 1 year in jail, up to two years probation, a fine of $200.00 – $1,000.00, Community Service of 30 days – 90 days, 4 points on driving record, 1 year suspension of driver’s license, an Alcohol / Drug Assessment, appropriate substance abuse counseling, and mandatory vehicle immobilization 24-180 days or possible vehicle forfeiture.
