Drunk Driving & Driving Offense Defense Lawyers
Driver’s license sanctions are a very important part of certain criminal sentences, including alcohol related crimes such as DUI. These possible sanctions are sometimes overlooked by drunk driving offense attorneys who may be inexperienced in handling criminal matters.Information as to possible driving sanctions can be as important as fines, costs, incarceration, probation, etc. in trying to determine how a criminal matter should be handled.
Driver’s license sanctions can arise in a variety of ways, such as imposition of points on your driving record, restrictions on your driving and/or suspension or revocation of your driving privileges.
Most of us realize that sanctions on our driving privileges are imposed on drunk driving related crimes. However, the restrictions differ as to the types of suspensions and revocations along with what happens when the Secretary of State is notified as to the specific conviction. DUI defense attorneys can help you understand the different sanctions.
Individuals should also be aware that in certain alcohol related cases immobilization of the automobile or forfeiture of the automobile may be imposed.
In addition to drunk driving cases there are a whole host of crimes that contain driver’s license sanctions. These include many drug crimes and many negligent driving crimes..
It is therefore important to at least contact an attorney for his advice as to possible sanctions under your personal set of facts and circumstances.
Southwest Michigan drunk driving laws are some of the toughest in the nation. A conviction for any alcohol or drug-related driving offense has serious consequences, including criminal penalties of fines and incarceration and license sanctions.
There are four major alcohol- or drug-related driving offenses which a drunk driving defense lawyer can handle, each with its own penalties:
Operating While Intoxicated (OWI)is operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08% or greater or under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance. The first offense is a misdemeanor punishable by one or more of the following:
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Operating While Visibly Impaired (OWVI)is operating a motor vehicle while visibly impaired due to the consumption of alcohol or a controlled substance. No specific alcohol or drug content is required. The first offense is a misdemeanor punishable by one or more of the following:
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Operating with Presence of Drugs (OWPD)is operating a motor vehicle with any amount of a controlled substance in the body. No specific amount is required, and the drugs need not affect one's driving. The first offense is a misdemeanor punishable by one or more of the following:
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"Zero Tolerance"provides that no person under the age of 21 shall operate a motor vehicle with any bodily alcohol content. No specific amount is required, and the alcohol need not affect one's driving. The first offense is a misdemeanor punishable by one or more of the following:
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For all of these offenses, the penalties are progressively more severe with multiple convictions which underscores the need for a DUI defense attorney. The Motor Vehicle Code also includes other alcohol-or drug-related offenses, such as OWI/OWVI causing injury or death and OWI/OWVI endangering a child, that have significant criminal penalties and Secretary of State sanctions. Moreover, the Michigan Penal Code includes numerous offenses which, when committed with a motor vehicle, have serious penalties.
Persons accused of these various driving offenses require effective and proven representation by a drunk driving defense lawyer. We at Hills Law Office have the experience and know-how you need, in courts and before the Secretary of State, to evaluate your case thoroughly and provide the best advice on how to approach it. Contact us to find a Southwest Michigan and Kalamazoo criminal defense attorney. We provide expert legal services to nine Southwest Michigan counties.