Now that the recreational use of marijuana is lawful in Michigan many area police departments are getting ready to identify and arrest more THC impaired drivers. For example, the Grand Rapids Police Department has requested federal funding that will allow them to send additional officers for DRE training. According to…
Michigan drivers suspected of intoxicated driving based on the consumption of alcohol, marijuana, or other intoxicating substances, must submit a breath, blood or urine sample upon the reasonable request of a peace officer. A failure to provide such a sample will result in the police obtaining a warrant for your…
Prosecutors across the state of Massachusetts have stopped using breath test results obtained during drunk driving arrests for tens of thousands of motorists between 2011 and 2017. The reason is that defense attorneys representing the drivers discovered that breath test machines throughout the state were improperly calibrated. If was further…
Many courts throughout Michigan employ an alternative form of sentencing for drunk drivers that emphasize treatment over punishment. Collectively, this approach to sentencing is called sobriety court. Such courts utilize a 2011 Michigan statute codified in Michigan Compiled Laws § 257.304. This law established new procedures and sobriety court participation…
There is at least a ten-fold difference in the amounts Michigan lawyers charge to handle a first offense drunk driving case. Fees usually start at around $1,500.00 for a newer less experienced lawyer. From there, fees increase to as much as $15,000 – $25,000.00, including trial, for a top DUI…
Yes, you can lawfully refuse police DUI/OWI tests without penalty. However, there are exceptions, and in some situations, it may not be in your best interest to refuse these tests. Therefore, before you make this decision, you should discuss your options directly with a lawyer. Generally speaking, if you are stopped by the…
A study out of the Mississippi State University suggests that people with bodily alcohol levels at or near the legal limit are actually more creative. According to a 2018 article in the Harvard Business Review, test subjects who imbibed in alcohol were able to give more correct answers to word…
After you’ve been arraigned on your Michigan DUI/OWI, the court will make a determination as to bond conditions. The court will add conditions to your bond because you have been charged with a serious offense and the court wants to make sure that, while out on bond, you’re not continuing…
On March 22, 2018, an Amish man was arrested in Ohio for drunk driving after he ran a stop sign. He admitted to the police that he drank 10 beers. The police noticed the failure to stop and then began following the buggy because they believed it may be lead…
There are several ways to look at this question. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration defines the two terms this way. Notice the results-based language contained in these definitions: Impairment—Refers to the deterioration of an individual’s judgment and/or physical ability. Physiological and cognitive impairment begin at BAC levels below those…