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Flint DUI Lawyer

If you’ve been charged with driving under the influence (DUI) of drugs or alcohol, your future is at stake. You may be facing serious penalties, but you may be able to avoid them if you enlist the help of a Flint DUI lawyer. No matter how helpless you may think your case is, do not plead guilty to your charges before consulting with a trusted and competent legal representative. At Drias Law Group, we have extensive experience leading Michigan DUI cases to a positive resolution.

Call us today at (810) 644-5660.

What Are the Penalties for Drunk or Drugged Driving in Michigan?

In Flint and throughout Michigan drunk and drugged driving cases are prosecuted as Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) or Operating While Visibly Impaired (OWVI). If a Flint prosecutor has objective evidence of your intoxication – such as a lab report showing that your blood contained an illegal amount of alcohol or any amount of drugs – you will face OWI charges. If your case is based only on the arresting officer’s belief that you were intoxicated, however, the prosecutor will charge you with OWVI. You should reach out to one of our Flint criminal defense attorneys if you are accused of such an offense.

If you get convicted of a first OWI offense, you may face the following penalties:

  • Up to 93 days in jail
  • A fine of up to $500
  • Up to 360 hours of community service
  • A 30-day driver’s license suspension, and then restricted driving privileges for 150 days
  • Six points added to your driver’s license

For your first OWVI offense, you may be penalized with the following:

  • Jail for up to 93 days
  • Fines reaching $300
  • Up to 360 hours of community service
  • Restricted driving privileges for up to 90 days
  • Four points on your driver’s license

In addition to the criminal penalties listed above, either an OWI or an OWVI charge may result in the following collateral consequences:

    • Court costs
    • Reimbursing the police for the blood alcohol content (BAC) testing costs and the towing and storage of your vehicle
    • Attorney’s fees
    • Trouble with job attendance if you rely on your car to get to work
    • Difficulties applying for jobs in the future because of your permanent criminal record
    • Disciplinary action from your college or university
    • Loss of a professional license
    • If you’re an immigrant, possible deportation

vVastly increased insurance premiums

How Can a Flint DUI Lawyer Help?

The first thing that hiring a lawyer will accomplish is to give you peace of mind. Your lawyer will act as an intermediary between you and the authorities to ensure that your rights are respected throughout the criminal justice process. Your Flint OWI lawyer will also review all of the evidence that the prosecutor intends to use against you, and on that basis determine which defense strategy or strategies might be applicable in your case.

Many people charged with OWI assume that they stand no chance if the police obtained an incriminating BAC test. But, even these cases can be won if there is evidence that the police did not respect your rights and follow procedures at every step of the way. However, when winning your case is unlikely, your lawyer can still help you negotiate the best plea agreement with the prosecutor, who may be in a position to guarantee you a lenient sentence.

OWI/OWVI law is a complex and multifaceted area of the law. To learn more about specific issues that drunk or drugged driving cases involve, you can review the following:

  • Driving Under the Influence (DUI) — A deeper look into Michigan OWI law and the consequences of a conviction
  • Operating While Visibly Impaired (OWVI) — A detailed explanation of Michigan OWVI law and the consequences of a conviction
  • Felony DUI — In some cases, OWI may be charged as a felony, which will involve much more serious penalties
  • Operating With Presence of Schedule 1 Drug or Cocaine (OWPD) — A closer look at how Michigan treats drugged driving and how the offense is punished
  • DUI Warrants — An explanation of how constitutional issues of search and seizures apply to OWI or OWVI cases
  • Out-of-State Drivers & DUI — If you’re an out of state driver charged with a Michigan DUI, you can find helpful information here
  • DUI Defenses — Depending on the facts of your case, there may be several different ways of defending against your OWI charges
  • OWI Consequences — The consequences of a Michigan OWI or OWVI conviction extend far beyond jail time, fines, and a driver’s license suspension
  • Getting Your Driver’s License Back — By acting fast and hiring an experienced Flint OWI or OWVI lawyer to work on your case, you may be able to successfully fight the suspension of your license
  • Michigan DUI Help — The answers to the most common concerns about DUI/OWI charges, such as why you were charged, your likelihood of going to jail, how much it will cost, and possible defenses
  • Underage DUI — Getting caught drunk driving under the age of 21 can result in severe penalties
  • Michigan Legal Limit — Learn more about how Michigan authorities will determine your BAC and how your test results will affect your case
  • Refusing DUI Testing — You may face harsh penalties if you refuse to provide a blood, breath, or urine sample during or after your OWI arrest

A Flint DUI Attorney Can Answer Your Questions

At Drias Law Group, we have built our reputation on the excellent service and aggressive legal defense we provide our clients. As a former prosecutor, Attorney Martin Drias is well-positioned to understand how the prosecutor is building your case and where its weaknesses may lie. If you don’t find the answers to your questions above, or if you want to talk to a Flint OWI lawyer today, call Drias Law Group now at (810) 644-5660 for your free and confidential case consultation.