After the stress of going through an arrest and initial detainment, the series of procedures and hearings that will determine your case outcome may leave you feeling confused and apprehensive. By consulting with a reputable Detroit DUI lawyer, however, you can bring clarity and hope to your situation.
Michigan takes a tough stance on underage drinking and driving. If you are under 21 and get caught behind the wheel with a measurable amount of alcohol in your blood, you will face severe consequences. Your license will get suspended immediately, and you will get charged with Operating While Intoxicated (OWI). If convicted, you will have to pay fines and perform community service. Your OWI offense will be visible on your publicly available criminal record, which can severely restrict your employment and educational opportunities.
Fortunately, you can avoid all or some of these penalties if you hire a skilled and experienced Michigan underage DUI attorney to handle your case. By advocating on your behalf and ensuring that your rights are respected throughout the criminal justice process, your lawyer will greatly increase the chances that you obtain a good case outcome.
Call Davis Law Group today at (313) 818-3238 to find out how we can help you.
What Are the Michigan Laws for Underage OWI?
If the police catch you behind the wheel with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .02 percent or more, you will be charged with OWI. The penalties that may result from a conviction will depend on your BAC and the number of times you have been convicted of OWI in the past:
- First offense – You will face a $250 fine and 15 days of community service. If your BAC was .08 percent or higher, the penalties increase to a 6-month driver’s license suspension, possible 93-day imprisonment, and increased fines.
- Second offense – If you get charged with OWI within 7 years of your last conviction, you will face 60 days of community service and fines of up to $500. If your BAC was .08 percent or more, you will have to spend between 5 days and 1 year in jail and pay fines between $200 and $1,000. Your driver’s license will get suspended for a year.
The consequences of an underage drunk driving conviction aren’t limited to your criminal sentence. In addition to fines, revoked driving privileges, community service, and possible jail time, you may also face:
- Court costs
- Attorney fees
- Probation oversight fees
- Reimbursing the cost of towing and impounding your car
- Driver responsibility fees of up to $1,000 a year
- Alcohol counseling
- Traffic school
- Vastly increased auto insurance premiums
- Disciplinary action from your school
- Inability to qualify for certain professional licenses
- Restricted ability to gain employment because of your criminal conviction
- Possible deportation if you are an immigrant
