Unlike some other states, which have a blanket DUI charge for people caught driving under the influence, Michigan has different charges for different levels of impairment. The type of drug or alcohol you’ve consumed can affect your charges, as well as your level of visible impairment. You can even get arrested if the drugs that you consumed haven’t affected your ability to drive.
What are Michigan’s DUI laws?
Michigan criminal law divides DUIs into three separate charges. If you’re driving with a blood alcohol level (BAC) of .08 or more, you could be charged with Operating While Intoxicated (OWI). If you’re under the influence of drugs or alcohol that have affected your ability to drive, you could be charged with Operating While Visibly Impaired (OWVI), even if the officer doesn’t give you a Breathalyzer test.
Finally, you could be charged with Operating with Any Presence of a Schedule 1 Drug (OWPD) if an officer pulls you over and finds evidence of drugs in your system. You could be charged with an OWPD even if you weren’t driving erratically. To make matters worse, your criminal charges and license suspension will be handled separately. Even if your criminal defense attorney successfully defends you in court, you could still lose your license.
Michigan also has extra penalties for minors who are caught driving under the influence. If you’re under the age of 21, you only need a BAC of .02 or higher to be charged with a crime.
What should you do if you’re charged with a DUI?
Whether you’re a minor or an adult, you have a lot at stake when you’re charged with a DUI. An attorney could handle your DUI case and any associated charges that might have come with it. With their help, you could get back on the road as soon as possible.