In Need Of A DUI/OWI Attorney?

At Maesen Law, PLC, our Grand Rapids DUI attorney knows that Michigan has several names for Driving Under the Influence (DUI), including Operating While Intoxicated (OWI), Operating While Visibly Impaired (OWVI), felony DUI, and Operating With Presence of Schedule 1 Drug or Cocaine (OWPD).

Even if this is your first arrest for DUI, a conviction can lead to severe consequences, including fines, driver’s license suspension or revocation, community service, counseling, drug and alcohol testing, and even jail or prison time. As new convictions accrue, or when the driver’s BAC is exceptionally high, the penalties for drunk driving convictions will substantially increase.

Our founder and lead DUI attorney in Kent County, Ryan Maesen, provides our clients with the legal skill and resources they need to face their charges with confidence backed by 16 years of practice in the criminal justice system, which includes extensive trial experience.

We understand the value of freedom, and the reality is, without a trusted legal advocate by your side, you are risking everything. Those facing serious DUI charges in Michigan often can only get the justice they are willing to pay for it. It is not an entitlement or a guarantee. It must be fought for, and when the stakes could not be higher, we produce real results.

Contact our skilled Wyoming DUI attorney today to understand the depth of your charges, and how they are going to impact your current livelihood and your future, so we can get to work on an assertive legal solution together.

DUI crimes attorney grand rapids

What are the Penalties for a First Time DUI in Michigan?

At Maesen Law, PLC, our Grand Rapids DUI lawyers understands how frightening a first-time DUI charge can be. Whether you are a college student, blue-collar worker, or hold a professional license or degree, a DUI conviction can reshape your future.

A first-time DUI conviction in Michigan for having a BAC over .08 is a misdemeanor offense, with penalties that may include:

  • Six points added to your driver’s license.
  • Suspension of your driver’s license for 30 days, and then restriction of your license for 150 days.
  • Community service for up to 360 hours.
  • Fines of up to $500.
  • Probation
  • Up to 93 days in jail.

DUI charges come with multiple personal and professional consequences, as most people who are arrested for drunk driving spend the night in jail, which can lead to unexcused absences from work, school, or other obligations that can immediately impact their livelihoods.

Even if this is your first DUI charge, you should contact our skilled drunk driving attorney in Grand Rapids as soon as you are able, so you can pursue the best outcome for your unique legal circumstances.

Our skilled Grand Rapids criminal defense attorney represents clients in the following practice areas:

What are the Penalties for a Second or Subsequent DUI in Michigan?

A second OWI conviction in Michigan for being impaired or having a BAC over .08 is a serious misdemeanor.

The penalties for a second DUI conviction may include:

  • Six points on your driver’s license.
  • A minimum one-year driver’s license revocation, or a minimum of five years revocation if your license has been revoked within the preceding seven years.
  • License plate confiscation.
  • Vehicle immobilization or forfeiture.
  • Community service for 30 to 90 days.
  • Fines of up to $1,000.
  • Mandatory minimum of five days in jail, with the potential to serve up to one year.

A third or subsequent DUI within a driver’s lifetime, or two or more convictions for certain other types of offenses, will result in felony charges, and may include the following penalties:

  • Six points on your driver’s license
  • Revocation of your driver’s license.
  • Denial of your vehicle registration and confiscation of your license plate.
  • Community service for up to 180 days.
  • Fines of up to $5,000.
  • Probation plus a jail sentence of 30 days to one year.
  • A prison sentence of one to five years.

Michigan treats OWI charges more seriously when the driver’s BAC is .17 or higher, which results in an Unlawful Blood Alcohol Level change, also commonly known as “super drunk OWI.”

Whether you have been arrested once or multiple times for drunk driving in Michigan, you should never face the prosecutor’s office alone, or accept a “deal” without understanding your full legal rights and options. Contact our experienced drunk driving attorney in Grand Rapids today to learn how your charges will affect you now and going forward.

Our approach to producing real results for real people is unmistakable, and fully visible through our involvement in nearly 90 trials in just over 15 years. Allow our trusted criminal defense attorney in Grand Rapids to put your case into perspective, starting with an initial consultation today.

Our hard work translates into wins that matter.

Maesen Law Produces Real Results for Real People Throughout Michigan

Our Grand Rapids drunk driving defense lawyer is a respected and aggressive advocate who provides customized legal strategies that allow our clients to pursue real results, so they can move forward with confidence.

Contact our skilled criminal defense lawyer in Grand Rapids today to learn more about your legal rights and options to pursue the best outcome for your case. We are available by phone 24 hours a day by calling 616-821-7691 or allow us to review your case via email to ensure each aspect is reviewed with the discretion and attention to detail you deserve.

Frequently Asked Questions For Our Grand Rapids Drunk Driving Attorney

How Can a Grand Rapids Criminal Defense Attorney Help with My DUI Case?

A Grand Rapids criminal defense attorney can assist you with your DUI case with:

  • Assessing the evidence against you: The attorney will review all the evidence, such as breathalyzer results, blood tests, and witness statements, to determine if there are any discrepancies or issues with the evidence that could potentially help your case.
  • Identifying potential legal defenses: A DUI defense attorney will have a deep understanding of DUI laws and defenses. They can identify potential legal defenses, such as mistakes in the administration of the breathalyzer test, issues with the reliability of the test equipment, or other factors that could potentially impact the case.
  • Representing you in court: The attorney will act as your advocate in court, making arguments on your behalf and presenting evidence in your favor. They can also cross-examine witnesses and challenge the prosecution’s evidence.

Will I Lose My Driver’s License If I Am Convicted of a DUI in Grand Rapids?

If you are convicted of a DUI in Grand Rapids, you may face consequences that include the loss of your driver’s license. The exact consequences will depend on a variety of factors, including your blood alcohol level, any prior DUI convictions, and the circumstances surrounding your arrest.

In Michigan, a first-time DUI conviction can result in a license suspension of up to six months. For a second DUI conviction within seven years, the license suspension can be up to one year. For a third DUI conviction within ten years, the license suspension can be up to five years. Additionally, if your blood alcohol level was particularly high, you may face an extended license suspension.

Can I Be Sentenced to Jail If I Am Convicted of a DUI in Grand Rapids?

Yes, you can be sentenced to jail if you are convicted of a DUI in Grand Rapids. The exact consequences you face will depend on a variety of factors, including your blood alcohol level, any prior DUI convictions, and the circumstances surrounding your arrest.

In Michigan, a first-time DUI conviction can result in a jail sentence of up to 93 days. For a second DUI conviction within seven years, the jail sentence can be up to one year. For a third DUI conviction within ten years, the jail sentence can be up to five years. Additionally, if your blood alcohol level was particularly high or if there were aggravating circumstances, such as an accident or a high rate of speed, you may face a longer jail sentence.

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