OWI MICHIGAN ATTORNEY

A charge of OWI (Operating While Intoxicated) also known as DUI (driving under the influence), comes with life-changing consequences. Not only is an alcohol-related offense a permanent entry on your criminal record for a lifetime, there are exorbitant costs associated with hiring an attorney, court fines, and the increase of car insurance. The most taxing consequence of an alcohol-related offense is the possibility of the restriction or revocation of your driving privileges.

What is OWI – Operating While Intoxicated?

Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) is defined as an individual who operates a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcoholic liquor, a controlled substance, or other intoxicating substance or a combination of alcoholic liquor, a controlled substance, or other intoxicating substance. The legal limit in Michigan is .08. However, you do not need to have a blood alcohol content of .08 or more to be charged with a alcohol-related offense.

What are the penalties for OWI – Operating While Intoxicated?

Drunk driving convictions are considered “stackable offenses”. In other words, with each alcohol-related driving offense, the penalties become more severe. A first and second offense drunk driving is a misdemeanor while a third or greater offense of drunk driving is a felony.   Some of the penalties for drunk driving offenses are as follows:

FIRST OFFENSE
PENALTIES

• Up to 93 days in jail
• Fines and penalties from $100 to $500
• License suspension up to six months
• Community Service
• Court-approved alcohol and drug education program
• Random drug and alcohol testing
• Ignition interlock device requirement

SECOND OFFENSE
PENALTIES

• Up to one year in the county jail with five days of mandatory confinement where the offense occurs within 7 years of a previous drunk driving conviction
• Fines and penalties from $200 to $1000
• License revocation for a minimum of one year
• Vehicle immobilization or forfeiture
• Community Service
• Court-approved alcohol and drug education program
• Random drug and alcohol testing
• Ignition interlock device requirement
• Travel restrictions

THIRD OFFENSE
FELONY PENALTIES

• Fines from $500-$5,000
• 60-180 days of community service
• Driving license revoked for up to five years
• Six points added to your driver’s license
• Confiscation of your driver’s license
• Vehicle is either forfeited or immobilized for one to three years
• Travel restrictions

If you are being charged with drunk driving, you should contact an experienced OWI Michigan attorney to discuss the penalties that you are facing.

Why Choose the Arnone Law Team to Represent
You in Your OWI – Operating While Intoxicated Case?

Attorney Joseph Arnone and the Arnone Law Team are are well known in Macomb County and surrounding courts for their incomparable reputation with clients. Most of Arnone Law Team’s phone calls are from individuals who were referred to their firm from former or current clients. Satisfaction in legal representation can’t be bought with marketing dollars. The Arnone Law Team does not need to advertise fancy legal slogans on billboards to attract clients.

The Arnone Team is a powerhouse legal team.

They take only limited cases and they commit themselves to each case and client that they accept. No stone remains unturned as they investigate and build a defense.

Attorney Joseph Arnone has practiced in district, circuit, and federal courts defending cases from misdemeanors to murder. And when it comes to OWI – Operating While Intoxicated cases, he sees the challenge, meets it, and exceeds all expectations that the client may have.