Michigan OWI Lawyer

DUI Charges in Michigan: A Primer

michigan_owi — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 16:45:15 +0000

Legalwins.com has recently added an article on OWI and other Michigan DUI charges, and the penalties that each of those carries. It’s more complicated than you think – the sad combination of cars and intoxication has been broken down differently in every town, the penalty for each act depending upon the fact of how drunk you were when making the decision to take your car key and slip it in the ignition, whether your stupidity resulted in morbidity or any damage to property – to avoid arrest and poverty, go to Legalwins right this minute, read the text and lose yourself in it.

Michigan sobriety court graduates return to say thanks

michigan_owi — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 16:31:36 +0000

It’s not often that people who have been through a court system come back to thank it, but with the new and boldly successful Sobriety Courts in Michigan, this is precisely the case.

A number of Sobriety Courts have been established in Michigan since the late 1990s and early 2000s as an alternative to traditional trials and punishments for people who have incurred repeat misdemeanors as a result of chronic substance abuse problems. Instead of a mechanical sentencing process, a sobriety court is more akin to a stern, government-backed rehabilitation program. Individuals who have found themselves unable to kick the bad habit of appearing before the bench on drunk driving charges and are staring down serious jail terms may petition to be transferred to Sobriety Court. While it may still lead to a jail sentence, it’s typically reduced or eliminated altogether, in favor of a gauntlet of trials and tests for the subject to show their determination of staying dry.

The requirements differ from county to county, but they typically involve up to 24 months of community service, therapy, periodic drug and alcohol tests, attendance of Alcoholic Anonymous meetings, random visits from case officers, and more. Since sobriety is a lifelong process, it takes some doing to convince a Sobriety Court that you have changed your ways. Nevertheless, most people who find themselves with a choice tend to pick court-mandated rehab over jail, and there is a great demand among people facing prosecution for DUI offenses to be transferred to the Sobriety Court.

We would like to emphasize that this isn’t just a weak government program that can be exploited as a get-out-of-jail card. Participants need to prepare themselves for a long and intensive commitment. The reward, at the end, will be a rediscovery of your self-respect and a new lease on life. There is a reason why Sobriety Court programs only a recidivism rate of under 20%, as compared to a 60-80% rate for people who don’t participate in a similar program. If you have multiple drunk driving arrests and convictions, it may be a good idea to ask your Michigan DUI lawyer to recommend you for the Sobriety Court. It may be what you need to turn your life around.

Livingston County Plant Fire Creates Unrest for GM

michigan_owi — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 19:44:11 +0000

There was a fire at a car dashboard factory in Livingston County. The factory was owned by Magna International who produces dashboards and other various in car items for GM, Chrysler, Ford, Nissan and others. Luckily no one was injured in the blaze, but the impact the fire has on the auto industry isn’t clear at the moment. You can read the full article here, click through a slide show of the damage, as well as a video of the fire crew battling the blaze.

According to the article GM plans to suspend production at three plants and have also rescheduled overtime at four other plants. Too soon to tell what long term affects this will have on GM and other car manufacturers. Repairs have already begun on the plant, so hopefully they’ll be finished soon so GM can start getting more cars out on the road.

And while driving remember should you get a DUI, Michigan attorney Joseph A. Awad can help!

New Driving Ordinance in Troy, Michigan

michigan_owi — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 20:38:28 +0000

If you really need to pet your dog while driving in Troy, Michigan, it’s a very good idea to pull over first. The city of Troy has launched an unprecedented crackdown on distracted drivers, outlawing not only text messaging and talking on cell phones, but any other activity that interferes with one’s ability to operate a vehicle, such as drinking coffee, smoking cigarettes, admonishing your children, and for all we know, thinking too much.
Violators can catch fines of up to $200, as well as other pleasantries. For more information, check out our blog post on Michigan distracted driving ordinances.

Michigans High Alcohol Enhanced Penalty Law

michigan_owi — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 15:03:12 +0000

Also known as the “Super Drunk Driving Law”, Michigan subjects drivers with Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) over 0.17 to the nations most strict penalties.

Typical OWI offenses in Michigan used to revolve around 90 days in jail and fines in the undreds of dollars. Under the new penalty structure, jail time is doubled and fines can reach near $1,000. Drunk Drivers in MI can also expect to need serious legal support to fight drivers license suspension and will probably not get out of mandatory alcohol treatment.

Do you think these new penalties will help keep impaired drivers off the road?

We advise drivers not to drive impaired but if you should need an expert OWI attorney, call immediately. There is no time to lose!