Michigan Drunk Driving Defense Lawyers Who Know How to Win!
Defense lawyers in Michigan who are known for providing the highest possible level of representation on OWI, DUI, and related charges.
Effective, zealous, and fearless representation on felony and misdemeanor charges.
A conviction for Operating While Intoxicated in the State of Michigan will cost you. Your license will be suspended, and you will receive 6 points on your driving record. You could also spend thousands of dollars in court expenses, possibly receive jail time, and the many terms of a lengthy probation period. Many lawyers handle these cases, but few are known for tirelessly and fearlessly fighting for their clients to achieve the best outcome. That is the type of representation that has made LEWIS & DICKSTEIN, P.L.L.C. widely regarded among judges and attorneys as one of Michigan’s top OWI Defense law firms. We have decades of experience defending clients on drug and alcohol-related driving charges, including charges under Michigan’s Super Drunk law.
The ‘Super Drunk Law’
In 2010, Michigan adopted a new drinking and driving law referred to as the “super drunk” law. The law states that if you drink and drive and your blood alcohol level is 0.17 or higher, you are considered “super drunk.” The potential punishment for Super Drunk Driving is more severe than that of the DUI/OWI charge. The penalty for being convicted of the super drunk law is 180 days imprisonment instead of the DUI/OWI penalty of 93 days.
Recently Gov. Rick Snyder signed new legislation that allows local municipalities to enforce the super drunk law. Before this legislation took effect, police officers could not write citations for the super drunk violations under their local ordinances. A city attorney did not have the authority to prosecute an offense where the possible punishment exceeded 93 days of incarceration.
Implications Now That City Attorneys May Prosecute Cases under Michigan’s Super Drunk Law
City and township prosecutors now can handle Michigan super drunk cases. A portion of the fines collected goes to the municipality in which the offense took place. In some cases, if a person under investigation for Super Drunk Driving hires a lawyer on a pre-charge basis before a warrant is issued, the attorney may be able to persuade an officer to submit the case to a city attorney instead of a state prosecutor. Although the charge may be the same, most city and township prosecutors are more reasonable and have greater discretion than county and state prosecutors.
Defenses to Super Drunk Driving in Michigan
It takes years of specialized training and experience to provide an exceptional defense in Michigan Super Drunk Driving cases. Even lawyers with this expertise rarely provide an adequate defense because they are afraid or unwilling to do what is necessary to fight for their clients successfully. Defenses to these cases can be factual, constitutional, scientific, medical, and legal. A defense attorney must thoroughly and meticulously investigate any potential defense under the law to maximize the client’s bargaining power and minimize the government’s bargaining power.
Penalties for Super Drunk, Operating a Vehicle with a High BAC .17
- License Sanctions for a first conviction include a hard suspension (no license) for the first 45 days, followed by 320-day restricted with BAIID.
- Maximum Jail Term of 180 days
- Maximum Term of Probation of 2 years
- Maximum Fine of $700.00
- Court Costs Approximately $1,000.00 to $1,500.00
- Police and Prosecution Restitution from $400.00 to $800.00
- Community Service for up to 360 hours
- Vehicle Immobilization Discretionary with Judge
- Substance Abuse Program and Victim’s Impact Panel or Weekend are Mandatory
- Random Drug/Alcohol Testing
- Points 6
- CPL Rights Lost for 3 years
No Substitute for a Top Drunk Driving Defense Attorney
There is no substitute for having a defense attorney who exclusively practices criminal defense. A general practice lawyer or lawyer who handles different types of law will not have the specialization, experience, and reputation to get you the best possible result. If you have a drunken driving arrest in Oakland County, Wayne County, Macomb County, or elsewhere in Southeastern Michigan, you will want to contact a Michigan Drunk Driving Attorney familiar with the courts in these areas. The defense attorneys with LEWIS & DICKSTEIN, P.L.L.C. practice regularly in all of these areas and can consistently help our clients avoid jail and, in some cases, avoid a conviction altogether. Some larger law firms will take your money and then hand your case off to an attorney with little experience in the field of alcohol-related offenses. Some smaller firms have only one lawyer that handles criminal cases. The thing that makes LEWIS & DICKSTEIN, P.L.L.C. unique is our team of lawyers who each have decades of experience. They work together to make sure that each client is protected diligently and thoroughly.
Every Drunk Driving / DUI / OWI Case is Defensible
If a defense attorney can mount a strong defense, they may persuade a prosecutor to dismiss OWI charges or reduce a charge to a nonalcohol-related offense or a civil infraction. Not every legal defense has to be a winner to be helpful to the defense. When an experienced OWI defense attorney is negotiating with a prosecutor, they must use every tool at that person’s disposal to achieve the best possible result. Using every tool means that even though a case may not have a rock-solid defense, a persuasive attorney will use whatever strengths can be found in the defense to increase their client’s bargaining power. Even a few cracks in the armor of the prosecutor’s case can lead to an exceptional resolution or a very favorable sentence.
Remember that not all defense lawyers are the same, and the attorney’s reputation and experience can be instrumental in obtaining a favorable outcome. For example, a lawyer with a reputation for getting all of their clients to plead guilty is not likely to have much bargaining power, even with a credible defense. Conversely, an attorney with a reputation for zealous, fearless, and effective representation can make a strong argument with a weak defense issue. Don’t trust your fate to the lowest bidder. Generally speaking, you get what you pay for. If you value your freedom, ability to drive, liberty, reputation, and education or employment, you will want the best lawyer possible at your side.
Reputation and Track Record for Winning in Court
Our team has a 10.0 rating on Avvo (Superb), AV rating on Martindale-Hubbell (Preeminent), and National Super Lawyer. If you are looking for the most qualified, most effective OWI defense attorneys to represent you at a fair and affordable price, LEWIS & DICKSTEIN, P.L.L.C. is the firm you want by your side!
If you are charged with Operating While Intoxicated (OWI), DUI, Impaired Driving, or Super Drunk Driving, and looking for a Michigan drunk driving attorney, you will want to contact one of the attorneys at LEWIS & DICKSTEIN, P.L.L.C. We will find a way to help you.
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!
