Michigan Has Harsh OWI and DUI Laws
Facing DUI or OWI charges? What can you do before appearing in court to improve your odds of a favorable resolution?
All hope is not lost. You can improve your situation.
If you are charged with DUI or another drunk or drugged-driving offense in Michigan, there are general approaches to improve your chances for a favorable outcome before trial. Do not do anything before checking with your attorney and getting case-specific advice. Some things can be done to help improve your chances of getting a favorable plea bargain, an acquittal, and a lenient sentence, but there is no one-size-fits-all formula.
It is crucial to determine how you got the drunk driving charge to improve things at sentencing. This can be done in several ways, but one is to get an Alcohol Evaluation done by a substance abuse therapist. An expert can determine what, if any, problem may exist and set up a proactive plan to address it. On the other hand, if there is no addiction or dependence, the substance abuse evaluator will provide a report indicating that there is no alcohol issue. A favorable evaluation can result in a reduced bond, a more favorable plea bargain, and a reduced sentence.
An effective OWI defense attorney will initially take a position with the prosecution that you are not guilty, even in the face of seemingly overwhelming evidence. An attorney is most effective at plea or sentence bargaining or preparing for trial when starting from a power position and then determining what can be done to maintain or enhance negotiating power rather than starting off assuming there is nothing that can be done to help a client. Prosecutors and judges respect and tend to do more for lawyers who fight for their clients!
To make full use of any approach to defending alcohol or drug-related driving charges like OWI, Impaired Driving, or OWPD, you should contact a DUI defense attorney in Michigan specializing in defending people charged with intoxicated driving.
“What can I do if I’m charged with DUI and I know I am guilty?”
In some cases, the best thing to do is to accept responsibility for what has happened. In others, the evidence may not be very strong, and fighting the case may result in a better resolution than simply pleading guilty. OWI law is so complex that few lawyers are actually qualified to analyze every aspect of a case for potential legal, factual, constitutional, and scientific defenses.
While the charge is pending, it is often helpful to voluntarily start substance abuse counseling or attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. If the AA option is chosen, it is essential that you get sign-in sheets to prove you did attend the meetings. This will show that you are serious about dealing with any addiction issues you may have. It is essential to get a substance abuse evaluation to determine if there are substance abuse/addiction issues and, if so, how to deal with them most effectively. If there are no issues, the substance abuse evaluation will be a great tool to show the judge and prosecutor that the incident is isolated and not an indication of a more significant problem. If you enter into a program, commit to it. The judge will not be impressed if there is minimal effort shown.
Do not rely on your family or friends who have had drunk driving charges in the past for advice on what to do. It is in your best interest to contact an attorney who specializes in defending drunk driving allegations in Michigan before you start a course of action. This way, you will make the final decisions based on what course of action is best for you.
“What if I am not guilty of OWI?”
It is imperative that you start working on your defense early on. Most police departments have in-car videos and videos of the booking area at the police station. Most police stations only keep these videos for a limited time, so it is vital that someone requests they are preserved. If there may be favorable evidence, the recordings may be lost or destroyed even earlier. An experienced lawyer handling DUI cases will know how to preserve the evidence that can be used to help defend you or mitigate the charges. A great OWI defense attorney will have years of experience, advanced training, and a track record of success in fighting these cases.
“What if My License is Suspended and I’m charged with DUI?”
If your license was suspended because of an OWI arrest, or you refused to take a breath test, do not drive unless you obtain a hardship license. If you are caught driving while your license is suspended – then you have committed a new offense while on bond, and probation may no longer be an option for you.
Do not drink alcohol or use illegal drugs while your DUI case is pending. If you need to avoid temptation – then avoid your “‘party” friends, avoid bars and nightclubs, remove alcohol from your home and avoid posting “party” pictures online. Driving without a license while on bond could result in new charges, contempt, a bond violation, and possible denial of probation.
Contact an experienced lawyer who handles drunk driving charges in Michigan to advise you of your best course of action. It may be possible to get your driver’s license reinstated or avoid it from being suspended.
“What are the Costs if Charged with DUI?”
There will be fines and court costs accessed, and the amounts vary from court to court and the seriousness of the offense. There will also be administrative fees and legal fees. Many courts make the entire amount of fines, costs, and administrative fees due immediately upon sentencing. Consult an attorney who handles offenses of drunk driving in Michigan to determine what the costs may be.
Getting Legal Help with an offense of drunk driving in Michigan
Michigan has some of the harshest drunk driving laws in the United States. You should never face a prosecutor or judge without the best legal help you can get. The attorneys at the law office of LEWIS & DICKSTEIN, P.L.L.C. have decades of experience defending alleged drunk driving in Michigan. Representing people charged with criminal offenses is all we do. Our lawyers are well respected and have a reputation for winning.
Call us today at (248) 263-6800 for a free consultation or complete a Request for Assistance Form. We will contact you promptly and find a way to help you.
We will find a way to help you and, most importantly,
we are not afraid to win!
