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Facing a DUI charge can be an overwhelming experience, filled with uncertainty and fear of the potential consequences. There are many misconceptions about DUI charges, often leading individuals to make decisions that may not be in their best interest.

In the state of Michigan, operating a vehicle while intoxicated (OWI) or while visibly impaired (OWVI) by alcohol or drugs is prohibited. If you're suspected of drunk driving, a law enforcement officer may pull your vehicle over, ask you some questions, or request that you take some DUI tests.

Drunk driving charges can lead to many life-altering penalties and ramifications, even when it is your first DWI or, as the Michigan law refers to it, OWI. Understanding what happens next after your arrest is critical in order to prevent or mitigate the potential consequences of the charges.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), drinking and driving claims the lives of 28 people a day in the United States, or one every 52 minutes. Annually, around 10,000 nationwide fatalities occur. In Michigan alone, there were 974 highway fatalities in 2022, of which 33 percent were the result of impaired driving.

In Michigan, operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a serious offense. A person convicted of DUI or OWI in the state may face devastating penalties, including massive fines, jail time, license suspension, and other serious, life-altering consequences.

According to the 2021 Michigan Annual Drunk Driving Audit, approximately 44.7% of all fatal traffic accidents in the state involve impairment due to alcohol or drugs. Being charged with a DUI (driving under the influence) or OWI (operating while intoxicated) is a serious infraction.

If you’ve recently been arrested and charged with a DUI, you may be thinking that you can either handle it on your own or that there’s no point in fighting it.

If your driver's license has been revoked, suspended, or denied, you may be eligible to appeal to the Michigan Secretary of State's Administrative Hearing Section, the Driver License Appeal Division or DLAD, or to the Circuit Court for full or restricted driving privileges.

If you have recently been charged with a DUI, you are probably unsure of what happens next. One of the biggest concerns that people have after being charged with DUI is how it will affect their employment.

Daniel Larin has authored books and articles for defense lawyers to understand the most effective drunk driving defense strategies. We are prepared to clearly explain the penalties for all possible drinking and driving offenses and offer free initial one-hour consultations to help you get started.