Your situation may feel helpless, but with the help of a Michigan DUI lawyer you may be able to avoid the harsh consequences of a DUI conviction.
In Michigan, most people call a drunk driving charge “DUI,” or driving under the influence. But the legal term is actually “OWI,” which means operating while intoxicated. You may also get charged with “OWVI,” which means operating while visibly impaired. OWVI involves more lenient penalties, and applies to situations where the authorities can only show that you looked and acted intoxicated when the police pulled you over. An OWI charge applies when there is hard evidence, such as a breathalyzer test, to prove that you were intoxicated while driving.
Why Was I Charged with DUI/OWI?
You or your loved one may be facing DUI/OWI charges for several reasons. Typical scenarios that result in DUI/OWI charges include the following:
- A law enforcement officer observes you driving erratically and pulls you over to investigate whether you are intoxicated
- The police pull you over for a traffic infraction (like running a stop sign or having a broken tail light) then gain probable cause to believe you are intoxicated because of your smell, appearance, and behavior
- You pass through a DUI checkpoint and the police gain reason to believe you are drunk or on drugs
- You got into a serious accident and you test positive for alcohol and/or drugs while receiving medical treatment
No matter the reason why you got charged with driving under the influence, the Michigan OWI attorneys of Davis Law Group can help bring your case to a positive resolution.
Will I Have to Go to Jail for DUI/OWI?
Unless you find someone to bail you out of jail immediately after your arrest for DUI/OWI, you will likely spend some time behind bars. Getting sentenced to jail after your DUI/OWI trial, however, is fairly unlikely unless you’re a repeat offender. Even when Michigan law gives judges the authority to dole out jail sentences in drunk driving cases, they often give offenders community service or probation.
That being said, there are some cases where a jail or prison sentence is very likely:
- Third DUI/OWI conviction – If you have 2 or more priors on your criminal record, you will probably receive a 1 to 5 year prison sentence
- DUI/OWI resulting in serious injury – In this scenario, you may face a prison sentence of up to 5 years
- DUI/OWI resulting in death – If your drunk driving causes the loss of life, you may be sentenced to 15 years in prison
In cases such as these, it is even more essential that you retain the services of a reputable legal professional. While your primary concern may be to avoid jail or prison time, the most devastating effect of a DUI conviction is often the crippling expense of passing through the criminal justice system.
