First Offense OWI/DUI in Michigan

First DUI in Michigan offenders face issues related to both criminal and administrative proceedings, with each venue mandating certain penalties in light of existing laws and the case-specific nature of each OWI/DUI arrest. The following outlines these penalties, which do not address penalties related to juvenile offenders, minors in violation of zero tolerance laws, or commercial drivers.

Administrative Penalties Associated with First Offense OWI/DUI in Michigan

• First offense OWI/DUI in Michigan results in administrative license suspension of six (6) months, with drivers becoming eligible for a restricted, conditional license after one (1) month

• First offense refusals to submit under implied consent laws carry mandatory administrative license suspension of one (1) year

• Reinstatement of license, or restricted reinstatement of license, not contingent upon use of ignition interlock device in Michigan for first offenders

Criminal Penalties Associated with First Offense OWI/DUI in Michigan

• First offense OWI/DUI convictions in Michigan carry no mandatory minimum period of incarceration, but defendants face potential of up to ninety-three (93) days of incarceration

• Fines assessed range from minimum of $100 to not more than $500 for first offenders. However, this amount does not include mandatory annual payment of $1000 driver responsibility fee for next two (2) years, nor does it cover costs incurred to complete conditions of sentence or to reinstate license

• Conviction of first offense in Michigan will influence charging and sentencing of subsequent OWI/DUI arrests for a period of seven (7) years

Getting Legal Help with First Offense OWI/DUI in Michigan

The state of Michigan does not expressly prohibit plea option deals involving reduction of OWI charges into lesser criminal offenses. In turn, a defendant should utilize legal counsel to first attempt to obtain outright dismissal of the charges, but if not possible, then to seek a favorable plea deal. For more information and insight into how this is possible, consult with a Michigan first OWI/DUI lawyer to find out more.