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Potential Penalties for a Drunk Driving Charge in Michigan 
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Potential Penalties for a Drunk Driving Charge in Michigan 

Being charged with drunk driving in Michigan can impact your life in a variety of ways, and you may face a number of different penalties depending upon the facts and circumstances of your case. If you have been arrested for drunk driving, it is essential that you reach out to an attorney as soon as possible to protect your rights and your freedom. To line up the advocacy you need to achieve the best possible result in your case, connect with one of the attorneys from the Law Offices of Bradley J. Friedman as soon as possible, and read on to learn more. 

Michigan Drunk Driving Offenses

Penalties for drunk driving in Michigan can range from the loss of your ability to drive to the loss of your freedom due to incarceration. Facing jail time and extensive fines makes drunk driving a very serious offense, and if you have been charged before, the penalties increase in severity with each additional charge. For example, with an OWI, the first offense is punishable by up to 93 days in jail, the second offense at least five days and no more than a year of jail, and for the third offense, one to five years in jail, with the fines likewise increasing with each conviction. 

In Michigan, drunk driving is driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 or more, or while intoxicated or impaired by alcohol, a controlled substance, or another intoxicating substance. What this means is that even if you do not have a blood alcohol level of .08, you may still be charged with drunk driving if your driving was in any way impaired due to your intoxication from drugs or alcohol. 

There are three specific drunk driving offenses in Michigan:

  • OWVI – Operating While Visibly Impaired – this can subject you to fines, court costs, jail time, and the potential of community service if you are found guilty 
  • UBAC/UBAL – Unlawful Bodily Alcohol Content/Level – you are subjected to the same penalties as an OWVI, but with the difference that community service is required
  • OWI – Operating While Intoxicated – the most common of the drunk driving offenses in Michigan, with similar penalties to UBAC and OWVI. 

Reach Out to a Michigan Drunk Driving Defense Attorney Now

A drunk driving charge can complicate your life in terms of your ability to drive for personal reasons and can also impact your ability to get to and from work, or work at all if your job involves driving. It is important to address your case as effectively as possible as quickly as possible so if the facts allow, you can get back on the road and on with your life. Connecting with an experienced drunk driving attorney will help you to identify what your best options are and get someone on the case to help. 

To discuss how to best approach your drunk driving charge while protecting your rights and supporting your continued freedom from incarceration, schedule a consultation today with the Law Offices of Bradley J. Friedman to explore options.

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