Super Lawyers
Justia Lawyer Rating
The Best Lawyers in America
Avvo Clients' Choice
Avvo Rating 10.0
National College for DUI Defense
National Collage for DUI Defense
American Council Of Second Amendment Lawyers
Avvo Clients Choice Award
Avvo Rating
Trial Lawyers University
Best Lawyers
James Publishing Author
Super Lawyers
Trial Lawyers College

DUI Charges and Concealed Pistol Licenses

When the blue and red lights come on you immediately begin to go down a mental check list: Where is my license? Where is my insurance and registration? How fast was I going? Is my seatbelt on? And for those of you with a Concealed Pistol License (CPL) you need to revert to your initial training.

First, you need to notify the officer that you hold a CPL and where the weapon is located. Further, you may be subject to a $500 fine and 6 month CPL suspension if you fail to notify the officer. Typically, the officer will have knowledge that you hold a CPL after running the license plate to inquire who the vehicle is registered to, and then running the registered owner's license that would include notification that the potential driver is a CPL holder. Officers are going to approach with much caution under these circumstances, therefore, it is important for you to be forthcoming and cooperative and consult with an attorney to avoid any unnecessary penalties.

CPL Related Penalties

In some cases, these temporary traffic stops morph into in-depth drunk driving investigations. If you are arrested for drunk driving, the penalties that you may endure or the degree of the penalties depend on several variables.

First, the major distinction between the potential penalties depends on whether you physically had your pistol on your person, in the vehicle, locked in the vehicle, or at home.

However, for your county licensing board, there is no presumption of innocence when arrested for drunk driving. When you are arrested or more specifically charged with drunk driving the Prosecutor (who by law is typically a member of the licensing board) is required to report the drunk driving charge to the county licensing board[iii]. When the Board receives that notice they will send Order of Suspension because of the alleged violation.[iv]

You are required then to forfeit your license in a timely manner, and failure to do so is punishable by up to 93 days in jail and /or fine of $500.[v]

This suspension will continue until the disposition of the drunk driving. When the matter is ultimately resolved, the prosecutor again is required to report the disposition to the Board so they may take appropriate action. The Board will then send a subsequent Notice of suspension and possible revocaction. Under some circumstances, you have a right to a hearing[vi] but the board is going to revoke your CPL as result of a drunk driving conviction.

Renewing Your CPL

When reviewing the CPL application and renewal requirements, to be eligible for for CPL you can not have a drunk driving within the past 3 years. Therefore, it is anticpated that the suspension would likely continue for a minimum of 3 years.

However, these penalties are subject to whether the pistol was on person when the alleged offense occurred. If the pistol was on person, and not locked in the trunk or not at home, and the BAC or bodily alcohol content was above a .10, then the CPL will be permantly revoked.[vii] If the the BAC was .08 or more but less than .10, then the it would be revoked for not more than 3 years, and 1 year revocation if more .02 or more but less than .08. [viii] In addition, there are related criminal charges if the pistol is on person, which may include 93 day jail sentence and $100 fine. [ix]

Therefore, it is extremely important to notify the officer immediately of the CPL and pistol location when involved in a traffic stop. If you are subsequently arrested for drunk driving, you may anticipate that you will be required to relinquish your license to the Board, and may have pistol forefeited. That suspension will conitnue until disposition of the case, and notification by the prosecuting attorney to the Board. The potential suspension will depend on the resolution of the case, but also some of the other aspects outlined above. In addition, it is likely that you would not be eligible for renewal of the CPL for a minimum of 3 years if convicted of the drunk driving.


[iii] MCL 28.425m

[iv] MCL 28.425b(7)(i)

[v] MCL 28.425b(16)

[vi] MCL 28.428

[vii] MCL 28.425k(a)

[viii] MCL 28.425k(b)-(c)

[ix] MCL 28.425k (a)-(b)

Call Today! FREE Consultation Lawyer and Receive Immediate Attention for Your Criminal Law Case Patrick T. Barone is a Michigan Super Lawyer, who has maintained continuous top attorney ratings since 2007. In addition, the Michigan native is the author of multiple books on OWI, DUI and criminal law. The OUIL attorney near me has lectured at over 80 legal seminars all over America. He leads Barone Defense Firm in providing aggressive legal warriors for each client's criminal case.

Contact us 24 hours a day at our law firm’s easy to remember toll-free number, 1-877-ALL-MICH or 877-255-6424, for a free criminal case review. The Michigan attorneys near me at Barone Defense Firm travel the entire Great Lakes State, to help citizens in legal trouble in Michigan for alleged criminal law violations.

For your FREE lawyer consultation, call today to learn how to protect yourself from a possible unwarranted conviction. What do you have to lose, when the free legal advice with our litigation team’s criminal lawyers near me can answer many tough questions?

Client Reviews
★★★★★
Patrick Barone is the ONLY choice for DUI defense. He was realistic from the start and made it a point to look at my case before taking my money. As a business owner, when I think of attorneys, I think of the "shark infested waters. Patrick is a shark alright, but his prey is not the client; it's justice for his client. Ten stars Patrick!! Chris F.
★★★★★
Attorney Patrick Barone was very helpful and helped me understand the charge and sentence absolutely clearly. He also guided me through step by step helping me form a statement. His instructions were clear and detailed. It was obvious he cared about me understanding every important detail within my case. I would absolutely recommend this defense firm to anyone in need. Aaron B.
★★★★★
The Barone Defense Firm is the firm I recommend. They are truly concerned about the person, not just the legal issue, but the person as well. They are the most knowledgeable defense firm that I am aware of, having actually written the book on DWI Defense. If you are faced with a DWI you will not find a more professional and skilled law firm. But, most importantly, they care about how the accused individual recovers his or her life when the case is complete. Very remarkable group of lawyers. William H.