What Are the Consequences of a DUI in Michigan?

Technically, in the state of Michigan, the term for driving under the influence is OWI (Operating While Intoxicated), but colloquially, most people refer to this charge as DUI, (Driving Under the Influence). Nevertheless, if you’ve been arrested and charged with operating your vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you’re up against a wide range of potential penalties. Please continue reading and reach out to a dedicated Marquette DUI lawyer from Berger Law to learn more about the penalties for a DUI in Michigan and how we can help you fight them. Here are some of the questions you may have:

What are the penalties for a first-offense DUI in Michigan?

A first-offense DUI in Michigan is classified as a misdemeanor. It means that you have a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08% or higher, or any amount of a Schedule 1 controlled substance or cocaine in your system. The penalties for a first-offense DUI are:

• Up to 93 days in jail
• Fines of $100 to $500
• 360 hours (45 days) of community service
• License suspension for 30 days, followed by 150 days of restricted driving
• 6 points on your driver’s license
• Possible vehicle immobilization or ignition interlock device

Importantly, if your blood alcohol content was above .17%, you will face more severe penalties, which are:

• Up to 180 days in jail
• Fines of $200 to $700
• A one-year license suspension, with possible restricted driving after 45 days with an ignition interlock device
• Mandatory alcohol treatment program

What happens if I get a second DUI?

For a second-offense DUI in the state of Michigan, you can expect to face even harsher penalties, as courts will now treat you as a repeat offender. The penalties for a second-offense DUI are as follows:

• Up to one year in jail, with a mandatory minimum of five days
• Fines of $200 to $1,000
• 30 to 90 days of community service
• License revocation for at least one year, with no possibility of restricted driving
• Vehicle immobilization for 90 to 180 days, or vehicle forfeiture
• Possible ignition interlock device after license reinstatement

How long will I go to jail for a third DUI in Michigan?

For a third DUI in the state of Michigan, you can expect to face an incredibly harsh set of penalties, including a period of incarceration ranging anywhere between one and five years. Other penalties you may face are as follows:

• Fines of $500 to $5,000
• 60 to 180 days of community service
• License revocation for at least five years, with no possibility of restricted driving
• Vehicle immobilization for one to three years, or vehicle forfeiture
• Possible ignition interlock device after license reinstatement

As you can see, DUI offenses in Michigan are not to be taken lightly. That said, with the right attorney in your corner, you stand a strong chance of having your charges mitigated, or, in the best cases, dropped altogether. For further questions, or if you would like to speak with a competent DUI lawyer from our firm, simply contact us today.