Causing a drunk driving accident in Michigan, or receiving a Michigan DUI, are very serious matters and may subject you to harsh penalties.
Each year, thousands of people are injured and hundreds die as the result of alcohol and drug-related crashes in Michigan. Tens of thousands of people are arrested in Michigan yearly for alcohol-related driving offenses. Driving a motor vehicle requires concentration, sharp motor skills and a concern for oneself and others on the road; all of these can be compromised by alcohol.
In Michigan, Operating While Impaired (OWI) and Driving Under the Influence (DUI) offenses carry penalties that can affect you both now and later. It’s important to note these crimes are considered felonies and can greatly impact your future.
First Michigan DUI offense penalties:
- Fine (up to $500)
- Driver Responsibility Fee ($1,000 each year for 2 years)
- Jail sentence (up to 93 days)
- Community service (up to 360 hours)
- License suspension (up to 6 months)
- 6 points on your driver’s license
- OWI conviction on your permanent record
For second offenses (or, for first offenses with a blood alcohol content level of .17 or higher), the penalties can be even more severe. Your insurance rates will also skyrocket.
Not surprisingly, if you are convicted of causing death or serious injury when operating while intoxicated in Michigan, the penalties you’d face are even more rigorous.
For death:
- Fine ($2,500-$10,000) and/or
- Jail sentence (up to 15 years)
For serious injury:
- Fine ($1,000-$5,000) and/or
- Jail sentence (up to 5 years)
Additional consequences (applicable to both death and serious injury):
- Driver’s license revocation (minimum of 1 year)
- License plate confiscation
- Vehicle immobilization (for up to 6 months)
- Possible vehicle forfeiture
- 6 points on your driver’s license
- Driver Responsibility Fee ($1,000 per year for 2 consecutive years)
While OWI arrests are very serious business, not every arrest ends in a conviction. At Barberi Law, a full-service law firm serving Mid-Michigan and Central Michigan, we will work with you to understand the circumstances surrounding your case in an effort to protect your rights. Please contact us to begin a discussion that may be integral in preserving your freedom and protecting your future, including your employment opportunities.
Sources:
http://www.michigan.gov/msp/0,4643,7-123-72297_64773_22774-75633–,00.html
http://www.michigan.gov/sos/0,4670,7-127-1627_8665-24488–,00.html
