College is a time when freedom and exploration can cause young adults to make harmful decisions such as substance abuse. Drinking alcohol is becoming a rite of passage for these teenagers and young adults. They drink simply to get drunk. Binge drinking is when an...
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Alcohol Offenses
Automatic expungement: Is my OWI conviction included?
The expungement process involves paperwork and lasts around eight months. But later this year, you might not need to file an application and wait a long time. Michigan’s Automatic Expungement Program aims to automatically remove eligible criminal convictions from the...
Can I get my OWI set aside if I caused an injury or death?
You already know that drunk driving—that is, operating while intoxicated (OWI)—is illegal in Michigan. You can get an OWI if you are driving under the influence of alcohol and/or your blood-alcohol content (BAC) is 0.08 or greater. An OWI can have a negative effect on...
Does alcohol rehabilitation or treatment impact OWI expungement?
The long-term problems a person can face if they are charged and convicted for operating while intoxicated in Michigan are vast. They can lose their driving privileges, face jail time and need to pay hefty fines. In addition, it can be an obstacle later in life with a...
Out-of-State Client Appeared in Hearings via Zoom on Superdrunk Charge, Which Was Reduced
A client was charged with superdrunk (operating while intoxicated with BAC of over .17) in Eaton County. His BAC was actually .27%. The client is in his early 20’s, lives in Illinois, and was in Michigan for work purposes when he picked up the charge. The client...
OWI Charge Reduced to Civil Infraction
A 25-year old female was arrested for OWI in Ingham County, MI. She blew .11% on the BAC test. After reviewing the dash camera footage meticulously, attorney DeBruin and the client discussed filing a motion to suppress the arrest for lack of probable cause. Attorney...
When Might a Prosecutor Drop OWI Charges?
It’s rare for a prosecutor to drop OWI charges. What’s more common is for the prosecutor to offer an agreement under which you plead guilty to a lesser offense such as reckless driving. But even these so-called “wet reckless” dispositions only occur in cases where...
Can I Refuse a Field Sobriety Test in Michigan?
Field sobriety tests (FSTs) are used by police to analyze your physical and mental capabilities when you are suspected of operating a vehicle while intoxicated (OWI/DUI). When officers ask you to perform one or more FSTs, they are reviewing how you move, whether you...
Criminal Charges from College Football Riots
College sports are an important part of American culture. Competition and inter-school rivalries stir the passions of students, alumni, and fans alike. Often fueled by excessive alcohol consumption, these passions sometimes cross the line and people get rowdy,...
10 Things to Know if You’re Stopped for a DUI
Sometimes it feels like you need a law degree to understand your rights during a DUI stop, but what you’re required to do during a stop is actually limited. The police may want you to think that you have to do everything they say and answer all of their questions, but...