Our Troy DUI/OWI attorneys help Michigan drivers understand the charge, challenge weak evidence, and choose the right path forward.
Key Takeaways:
- Refusing a chemical test after an OWI arrest triggers a one-year suspension that is separate from your criminal case, and the window to challenge it is only 14 days.
- A BAC of 0.17 or higher moves a first offense into Michigan’s high BAC category, with longer jail exposure, higher fines, and a required ignition interlock period.
- A reduced charge such as OWVI carries lighter license consequences, which is why your stop and test results deserve a close look.
Most people charged with drunk or drugged driving think the case begins at the first court date. It starts much earlier than that. The paper permit tucked in your wallet, the form you may have signed about a breath test, and whatever you said at the roadside are already shaping what happens to your license, your job, and your record. Michigan handles impaired driving charges on two separate tracks, one in criminal court and one through the Secretary of State, and neither waits for the other.
At The Friedman Law Firm, our Troy DUI/OWI attorneys bring over 70 years of combined experience to impaired driving cases. We look at the whole file early, give you an honest read on where you stand, and never make you feel judged for the night that brought you here. You talk directly with the attorney handling your case from the first call forward.
Book your no-cost consultation today and learn how we can help you protect your freedom and future.
What an OWI Arrest Puts on the Line for Your License and Record
OWI versus OWVI. Operating while intoxicated generally means driving with a BAC of 0.08 or higher, or while substantially affected by alcohol or drugs. Operating while visibly impaired is a lesser charge based on noticeable impairment. A first OWI carries up to 93 days in jail, fines of $100 to $500, six points, and a 180-day suspension, with a restricted license possible after the first 30 days. A first OWVI typically comes with 90 days of restricted driving instead.
High BAC charges. A BAC of 0.17 or higher raises the stakes on a first offense. The penalties include up to 180 days in jail, fines of $200 to $700, a one-year suspension with no driving for the first 45 days, and a restricted license only with an ignition interlock device.
Refusing the chemical test. Under Michigan’s implied consent law, refusing a breath, blood, or urine test after arrest leads to an automatic one-year suspension and six points, separate from anything the court decides. You have 14 days to request a hearing to challenge it. Refusing the roadside preliminary breath test is different; that one is a civil infraction.
Repeat offenses. A second conviction within seven years brings at least five days in jail, fines up to $1,000, and a license revocation that does not simply expire. A third offense is a felony, and the gap between misdemeanors and felonies follows you well past sentencing.
How an OWI Case Can Resolve Depending on the Evidence
Challenging the stop and the testing. An officer needs a lawful reason to pull you over, and breath and blood results depend on calibrated equipment, trained operators, and a documented chain of custody. When any of that breaks down, key evidence may be suppressed.
Negotiating a reduced charge. When the evidence has weak spots, prosecutors may agree to resolve the case as OWVI or another lesser offense. Reducing a criminal charge can mean fewer points, a shorter license restriction, and a record that’s easier to live with.
Sobriety court for repeat offenses. For some second and third offenses, Michigan’s sobriety court programs pair intensive treatment and testing with the chance to drive on an ignition interlock sooner than a standard revocation allows.
Taking the case to trial. The prosecution must prove impairment beyond a reasonable doubt. If the evidence doesn’t meet that standard and no offer makes sense, trial is a legitimate option.
Our Troy DUI/OWI attorneys will help you weigh each of these paths against the facts of your case.
What You Can Expect When Our Troy DUI/OWI Attorneys Take Your Case
- We act on deadlines first. The 14-day window to contest a refusal, your bond conditions, and requests for dash camera and body camera footage get handled right away.
- You reach the attorney who knows your file. When you call, you hear from the person working on your case.
- You get an honest assessment. We tell you where your case is strong and where it isn’t, so your decisions rest on real information.
- We know how Michigan courts handle OWI cases. Our criminal defense team has spent decades in Michigan district courts and understands how prosecutors evaluate impaired driving charges.
- Payment plans are available. Cost shouldn’t decide whether you get a thorough defense.
An OWI charge is serious, but it comes with real options, and the sooner you act, the more of them stay open. Our dedicated Troy DUI/OWI attorneys are ready to walk through what happened and tell you plainly what comes next. Book your no-cost consultation today.