Ann Arbor DUI Lawyer

If you were accused of driving under the influence in Ann Arbor, you have the chance to avoid conviction. Speaking to a DUI attorney in Ann Arbor can provide you with the support needed to argue your case in court.

No one breaks the law because they expect they’ll injure someone or get caught in the act. Unfortunately, most people don’t learn that driving under the influence is dangerous until one or both things happen. If you’ve been charged with a DUI or OWI in Ann Arbor, there’s a complex legal process that follows.

If you hope to avoid a conviction for your Ann Arbor DUI/OWI charge, you must take your case seriously and build a strong defense. Reaching out to an Ann Arbor DUI lawyer from the Schwartz Law Group can make you feel confident as you go up against the prosecution and try to convince the judge and jury to side with you.

Consequences of a DUI in Ann Arbor

The consequences for a DUI or OWI conviction in Ann Arbor will vary depending on your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level at the time of your arrest and whether you’ve previously been convicted of a DUI or OWI. If your BAC is above .08 percent but below .17 percent and you have no previous convictions, then you’ll be charged with a misdemeanor. You may have to spend up to 93 days in jail.

If your BAC level is above .17 percent at the time of your arrest in Ann Arbor and it’s your first offense, then you may have to spend up to 180 days in jail. Regardless of your BAC level, you can also face between $500 and $700 in fines and up to 360 hours of community service.

A DUI or OWI conviction in Ann Arbor may become more severe if you have a passenger under the age of sixteen in your vehicle when arrested. You can face up to one year in jail, up to $1000 in fines, and may have to serve up to 90 days of community service for this offense.

How the Ann Arbor Police Test for DUI

When the Ann Arbor police pull you over and test you for drunk driving, you’ll want to be aware of the testing procedures they use and your rights under the law. They likely begin by using a preliminary breath test (PBT), which you can refuse to take, but if you refuse, you’ll be charged with a civil infraction and fined $100.

By refusing to take a PBT, the cops can arrest you for probable cause of DUI or OWI. You’ll then be subject to a more accurate DataMaster breathalyzer reading at the police station.

Refusing to take the breathalyzer test at the station can result in a license suspension because of Michigan’s implied consent law. The police may also force you to get your blood or urine tested for alcohol if you refuse the DataMaster test.

Contact an Ann Arbor DUI Attorney

Even if the police obtain a positive DUI test at the scene of your arrest and charge you with a DUI or OWI, you still have the chance to fight your case in court. An experienced attorney will have strategies that could result in reduced or dismissed charges.

To speak with an Ann Arbor DUI lawyer from Schwartz Law Group, call 248-930-5019 or fill out the contact form below to schedule a free consultation.