Frequently Asked Questions by Our Clients
We are here to help you; please call us today at (800) 237.2450 or contact us by email at info@centerfordriversrights.com.
Q. Am I going to jail?
A. Most likely not if you’re a first time offender. Most courts order fines, probation, alcohol programs, license sanctions, and community service for a first time offense. If you are a repeat offender, you stand a minimal chance of going to jail if you don’t get an attorney. If you are charged as a third time offender, you are most likely going to go to jail if you don’t get an attorney quickly.
Q. Am I going to lose my license?
A. First time offenders risk losing their license for 30 days, with an additional 150 days of restricted driving privileges. If a plea to impaired driving is agreed upon with the prosecutor, the driver’s license is not suspended at all, but it is restricted for 90 days.
Q. How much will the fines cost me?
A. For a first offense, if you don’t hire an attorney, you’re facing at least $300 and up to $500 in fines, plus court costs ranging from about $200 to $1,000, reimbursement to the police, probation oversight fees, and other mandatory fees.
Q. What are the consequences of Operating While Intoxicated (OWI)?
A. 1st Offense Misdemeanor (a) Except as otherwise provided in subdivisions (b) and (c) below, the person is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by 1 or more of the following: (i) Community service for not more than 360 hours. (ii) Imprisonment for not more than 93 days. (iii) A fine of not less than $100.00 or more than $500.00.
2nd Offense Misdemeanor (b) If the violation occurs within 7 years of a prior conviction, the person shall be sentenced to pay a fine of not less than $200.00 or more than $1,000.00 and 1 or more of the following: 5 days to 1 year and/or 30 to 90 days community service. (i) Imprisonment for not less than 5 days or more than 1 year. Not less than 48 hours of the term of imprisonment imposed under this subparagraph shall be served consecutively. (ii) Community service for not less than 30 days or more than 90 days.
3rd Offense Felony (c) If the violation occurs within 10 years of 2 or more prior convictions, the person is guilty of a felony and shall be sentenced to pay a fine of not less than $500.00 or more than $5,000.00 and to either of the following: 1 to 5 years imprisonment (Dept. of Corrections) (i) Imprisonment under the jurisdiction of the department of corrections for not less than 1 year or more than 5 years. OR: at least 30 days to 1 year with 60 to 180 days community service (County jail) (ii) Probation with imprisonment in the county jail for not less than 30 days or more than 1 year and community service for not less than 60 days or more than 180 days. Not less than 48 hours of the imprisonment imposed under this subparagraph shall be served consecutively.
(b) If the violation occurs within 7 years of 1 prior conviction, the person shall be sentenced to pay a fine of not less than $200.00 or more than $1,000.00, and 1 or more of the following: (i) Imprisonment for not less than 5 days or more than 1 year. Not less than 48 hours of the term of imprisonment imposed under this subparagraph shall be served consecutively. (ii) Community service for not less than 30 days or more than 90 days.
(c) If the violation occurs within 10 years of 2 or more prior convictions, the person is guilty of a felony and shall be sentenced to pay a fine of not less than $500.00 or more than $5,000.00 and either of the following: (i) Imprisonment under the jurisdiction of the department of corrections for not less than 1 year or more than 5 years. (ii) Probation with imprisonment in the county jail for not less than 30 days or more than 1 year and community service for not less than 60 days or more than 180 days. Not less than 48 hours of the imprisonment imposed under this subparagraph shall be served consecutively.
Q. Do I need an attorney to represent me?
A. No, you do not need an attorney. It probably would be a very good idea to have one who knows what they are doing. Some lawyers know the law but are abrasive and not very good with people. This makes them ineffective in trial and difficult for them to negotiate because they are annoying to the prosecutors/city attorney.
There is a vast range of possible sentences. You want to make sure that your lawyer knows how to articulate your particular situation so that you do not end up going to AA three times a week on your first offense.
Q. How much do attorney’s charge for DUI/OWI representation?
A. Most charge more than they are worth. I base my fees on the amount of time that a case will take as well as on the results that I expect to achieve in each case. I have the knowledge, support staff, and trial skills to achieve outstanding results at an affordable price. I typically charge a $1500 retainer for a first offense. To get a free consultation; please call our office at 800.237.2450 or email us at info@centerfordriversrights.com and one of our attorney’s will be happy to assist in your road to recovery.
Q. Where are the courts and what are their rules?
Michigan’s courts each have their own particular rules and guidelines. Some have their own websites, while others leave you with a phone number and an address. Take some time to look into the court that your case is in. Remember, never assume you know your court date or location just by going online. Consult your attorney, since notices from courts are sometimes inaccurate, causing a waste of a day off from work or time from your obligations.
Oakland County
43RD DISTRICT COURT (HAZEL PARK)
43RD DISTRICT COURT (FERNDALE)
43RD DISTRICT COURT (MADISON HEIGHTS)
44TH DISTRICT COURT (ROYAL OAK)
46TH DISTRICT COURT (SOUTHFIELD)
47TH DISTRICT COURT (FARMINGTON HILLS)
48TH DISTRICT COURT (BLOOMFIELD HILLS)
51ST DISTRICT COURT (WATERFORD)
52-2 DISTRICT COURT (CLARKSTON)
52-3 DISTRICT COURT (ROCHESTER HILLS)
Wayne County
18TH DISTRICT COURT (WESTLAND)
19TH DISTRICT COURT (DEARBORN)
20TH DISTRICT COURT (DEARBORN HEIGHTS)
21ST DISTRICT COURT (GARDEN CITY)
24TH DISTRICT COURT (ALLEN PARK)
25TH DISTRICT COURT (LINCOLN PARK)
26TH DISTRICT COURT (RIVER ROUGE)
27TH DISTRICT COURT (WYANDOTTE)
28TH DISTRICT COURT (SOUTHGATE)
30TH DISTRICT COURT (HIGHLAND PARK)
31ST DISTRICT COURT (HAMTRAMCK)
32A DISTRICT COURT (HARPER WOODS)
33RD DISTRICT COURT (WOODHAVEN)
35TH DISTRICT COURT (PLYMOUTH)
Macomb County
16TH CIRCUIT COURT (MT CLEMENS)
37TH DISTRICT COURT (CENTERLINE AND WARREN)
38TH DISTRICT COURT (EASTPOINTE)
39A DISTRICT COURT (ROSEVILLE)
40TH DISTRICT COURT (ST CLAIR SHORES)
41A DISTRICT COURT (SHELBY TOWNSHIP)
41B DISTRICT COURT (CLINTON TOWNSHIP)
42ND DISTRICT COURT DIVISION I (ROMEO)
42ND DISTRICT COURT DIVISION II (NEW BALTIMORE)
