Drunk Driving in Lapeer County, Michigan

Drunk Driving Lapeer

The new definition of drunk driving in Michigan .08 -- Lower Limit. Tougher Law.

The Laws

Michigan�s tolerance for drunk drivers has gone down, with .08 blood-alcohol content (BAC) becoming the new drunk driving standard. Michigan previously had a two-tiered standard, with .10 BAC or greater considered drunk driving and .08-.09 BAC being impaired driving.

Michigan is the 44th state to adopt an .08 BAC standard for drunk driving offenses. Many studies show that .08 BAC laws save lives. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates the country would save 400-600 lives each year if all states adopted .08 laws. The change also means Michigan avoids significant federal penalties and the loss of highway construction funds.

A first-time offender convicted of drunk driving faces:

• Up to 93 days in jail
• Up to a $500 fine
• Up to 360 hours of community service
• Up to 6 points on a driver�s license
• Up to 180 days with a suspended license, with a restricted license possible after 30 days

Convicted drunk drivers will also be subject to a new $1,000 penalty that is included in a recently approved driver responsibility program. The $1,000 penalty will be imposed for two consecutive years. Drivers may still be arrested and charged with impaired driving, however, the law no longer has a blood alcohol content associated with impaired. Those convicted of impaired driving face an additional $500 penalty assessed for two consecutive years.

Other penalties have also been increased. Anyone who refuses a breath test the first time is given a one-year driver�s license suspension. The penalty had been a six-month license suspension. For a second refusal in seven years, it is a two-year suspension.

If you have been charged with a drunk driving in Lapeer County, Michigan

Let the attorneys at Kohl Harris Nolan, McCarthy, P.C. help you. Our unique combination of knowledge and experience brought together by this association of notable attorneys anchors Lapeer County's pre-eminent litigation firm. No firm in the County or the State of Michigan is rated higher, as the firm is rated "AV" by the Martindale - Hubbell law firm rating services.

Being charged with drunk driving, DUI, DWI or OUI in Lapeer county is a serious offense that requires serious defense from a skilled lawyer who has the experience with many other similar cases to provide you with the defense required for these cases. As seasoned drunk driving attorneys in Lapeer we know how to present your drunk driving defense.

When you're faced with a situation like drunk driving, you need a DUI or OUI attorney that is skilled at defending cases of this nature. Although the State of Michigan has set minimum penalty guidelines upon conviction for driving while intoxicated, DUI or OUI cases, there are instances where your case could be dismissed or you could be charged with another type of traffic violation. In either instance, you need a good DUI or OUI attorney in Lapeer that knows how to present your defense and to help assure that if you are convicted of DUI or OUI that the lightest penalties possible are imposed rather than the tough maximums available to the courts.

Don't just give in to being charged with drunk driving in Lapeer. Hire a drunk driving attorney that can help you to avoid prosecution and conviction on drunk driving charges. The right drunk driving attorney can make all of the difference between having a drunk driving conviction on your record that can impact many different areas of your life and your future and not having a drunk driving charge on your record.

Contact MetamoraLawyers now to represent you as your drunk driving attorney in Lapeer county, Michigan.

If you're charged with any type of impaired driving in Lapeer county Michigan, we provide expert experienced legal representation to help reduce or dismiss the charges against you.

Drunk driving in Lapeer County abbreviations:

• DWI - Driving While Intoxicated
• OUI - Operating under the Influence
• DUI - Driving under the Influence
• OUIL - Operating under the Influence of Liquor