When an officer asks for you to take a DUI test such as a breath analysis test, you may feel like it is within your rights to refuse to take it. However, doing so can actually come with some severe consequences, all due to implied consent laws. What is an implied...
OWI
Johnny Damon and wife arrested for DUI and related charges
Baseball player Johnny Damon had a long a storied career, notably winning the World Series with both the Red Sox and Yankees. He was known as a nice guy and a good teammate, so it comes as a surprise that Damon and his wife face criminal charges related to a stop in...
OUIs: Drugs and alcohol have to be handled differently
It’s possible to be arrested for operating a vehicle under the influence if you’re using drugs or have taken prescriptions. You can also face charges for driving under the influence of alcohol. The authorities have tests that can be performed to identify alcohol...
Can I refuse a roadside breath test? What about a chemical test?
A breath test feels like an automatic part of any late-night traffic stop. Law enforcement officers are quick to reach for these portable devices as they request a breath test from a driver. In this situation, you might feel pressured – like you have to say yes. Is...
How often are people arrested in Michigan for drunk driving?
“I’m responsible and make good choices." "What are the odds I’ll get pulled over?" "It won’t happen to me.” That is the mindset many people have regarding drunk- or drugged-driving arrests. In reality, the number of operating while intoxicated (OWI) cases the courts...
New Michigan drug-testing law targets drivers
Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol may be a common offense, but that doesn’t mean that the criminal justice system treats conviction lightly. Those convicted may face more harsh punishment than they may have expected, as law enforcement believes in using...
Breathalyzer techs accused of falsifying records
Law enforcement relies on different methods for detection of the presence of alcohol in a suspect’s system. One tool is a Breathalyzer, which measure the amount of alcohol in a person’s system based on breath the individual blows into it. It is imperative that these...
Is there a legal THC limit for driving under the influence?
Ask just about anyone on the street and they could probably tell you the legal limit for blood alcohol content (BAC) for driving. But with recreational marijuana expanding throughout the state, many people are wondering: do these same rules apply to driving while...
When can OWI or OWVI become a felony?
Law enforcement officers across the state of Michigan arrested more than 30,000 people in 2018 on suspicion of operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. That’s an average of about 83 people every single day of the year, each of them facing the...
What is the point of pleading no contest?
The outcome of a criminal case seems fairly simple. Someone is either guilty or not guilty. In Michigan, when facing misdemeanor charges such as operating while intoxicated (OWI), defendants have another plea option: no contest. Here’s a brief overview of what a no...
