DUI/OWI/OVWI in Michigan
If you've been charged with drunk driving in Michigan, it's important to take the charges seriously. An OWI (also known as DUI) conviction can have significant consequences, including fines, higher insurance rates, loss of your license and even jail time. Whether you call it DUI or OWI, the charge can change your life. Each case offers a variety of possible defenses that can result in the charge being reduced or, possibly, dismissed.
At the Law Office of Victor J. Zanolli, I help people who are facing any level of drunk driving charge. I will guide you through the complexities of our legal system. It takes a great deal of experience and knowledge to provide a legal defense to clear a client of an alcohol-related offense. I will use my years of experience to conduct a thorough examination of your case. Your performance on field sobriety tests, the preliminary breath test (PBT), must be reviewed and police videos and reports must be obtained. I am committed to protecting the rights of my clients charged with OWI, OWVI and other serious offenses.
Drunk Driving- Generally
In Michigan, drunk driving is divided into two different offenses. The two offenses are (1) Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) and (2) Operating While Visibly Impaired (OWVI). OWVI is a lesser offense of the two (less serious).
First offense Operating While Intoxicated is a 6 point violation, with no license whatsoever available for the first 30 days. Thereafter, a restricted license can be issued for a period of up to 6 months. In order to be convicted of operating while intoxicated, the prosecutor must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant (1) was operating a motor vehicle and (2) that he or she did so with a blood -alcohol above .08.
Second offense Operating While Visibly Impaired is a 4 point violation, 93 day misdemeanor offense, and will result in a restriction of license (to and from and during work, treatment, probation, community service and support groups) for 90 days. Fines and costs, amount dependent on the individual court, are imposed as is alcohol education and community service. To be convicted of OWVI, a prosecutor must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant was (1) operating a vehicle, and (2) the defendant's ability to operate the vehicle was visibly weakened or reduced (impaired) as a result of consuming alcohol.
If a defendant is convicted or pleads guilty to OWI the maximum sentence includes up to a 500 dollar fine plus costs, up to 93 days in jail, and up to 45 days of community service. If a person is convicted or pleads guilty to OWVI, the maximum sentence includes up to 300 dollars in fines plus costs, up to 90 days in jail, and up to 45 days of community service.
In addition to monetary sanctions, jail, community service, and suspending or revoking your license, the sentencing judge may also forfeit the vehicle you're operating and sell it. Recently, the State of Michigan has enacted a driver's responsibility fee (Bad Driver's Tax). These additional fines are paid over two years at 1,000 dollars per year for OWI and 500 dollars per year for OWVI.
Other Charges
My firm also handles all alcohol, traffic and drug-related offenses including reckless and careless driving, zero tolerance, suspended/revoked license, open intoxicants and OWI-boat, snowmobile and ORV.
Contact Information
Contact a Southfield, Michigan lawyer. Call the Law Office of Victor J. Zanolli toll-free at 877-838-2021 or complete my contact form to have an experienced attorney assist you after a DUI/OWI charge.
