Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) Lawyers in Traverse City, Michigan

The operating while intoxicated lawyers (OWI lawyers) at the Neumann Law Group in Traverse City, Michigan may be able to help you if you have been charged with an OWI. According to Michigan Law OWI includes BAC above 0.08, BAC above 0.17, and the discovery or belief that you may have consumed alcohol, drugs, or other substances (including prescription medications) that may have affected your ability to properly operate a motor vehicle. Under implied consent laws, if a police officer believes you may have been intoxicated or under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you may be required to submit to a blood or breath test. While you are permitted to refuse to take these tests, refusal to take the test could result in automatic suspension of your license and your refusal to take the test could be used against you in court. In general, police have a wide range of powers when they make a traffic stop and have reason to believe you may have been operating while intoxicated. If you are facing operating while intoxicated charges in Traverse City, Michigan, reaching out to a OWI lawyer like the Neumann Law Group may be helpful. Our OWI lawyers can review the circumstances of your stop, can review the evidence police have gathered against you, and can help you understand your options given the circumstances. Being found guilty of an OWI can have serious consequences.

Consequences of an OWI can include:

• $100 to $500 fine
• Up to 93 days in jail or 360 hours of community service
• Driver’s license suspension up to 30 days, and license restrictions up to 150 days
• Potential requirement that you use an ignition interlock device
• Six points on your driving record

These are just some of the initial charges you may face. Individuals with a high BAC could face tougher penalties, including longer time in jail, higher fines, longer license suspensions, and more. These are just the legal consequences. Other consequences can include higher insurance rates, having a criminal record, and inability to work in certain fields (especially those that involve driving) due to having an OWI on your record.

If you are facing charges for an OWI, reach out to the Neumann Law Group in Traverse City, Michigan today. Our OWI defense lawyers may be able to help you. We may be able to help you seek to reduce the charges, seek to have the charges dropped, or find the best possible solution given your situation. Sometimes individuals need treatment, not jail. The Neumann Law Group works with individuals to find a path forward after an OWI.

What if I Refuse to Take a Chemical Test to Determine BAC?

Under the law in Michigan, if you get behind the wheel to drive, it is implied that you consent to submit to a chemical test if you are arrested on the suspicion of drugged or drunk driving. Refusal to take a chemical test can have serious consequences. Refusal to take the test can result in 6 points automatically being added to your driver’s license and the automatic suspension of your driver’s license for one year. This is why most people submit to chemical tests when they are arrested on the suspicion of OWI. The fact that you refused to take the test could be used against you in court if the police have other evidence to support that you may have been driving while under the influence. Evidence police may use may include seeing a driver weave in or out of the lane while driving, seeing a driver weave within the lane, seeing the driver run off the road, make sudden or unexpected stops, make stops that are too slow, or if they see a driver driving too quickly or too slowly for conditions. Failing to follow the rules of the law can always result in a traffic stop and if the police believe you may be intoxicated due to your appearance or breath, you may face added testing.

The OWI defense lawyers at the Neumann Law Group in Traverse City, Michigan may be able to help you if you are facing OWI charges. Reach out to our OWI lawyer today. We may be able to help.

We May Be Able to Help After an OWI

The consequences of having an OWI on your criminal record or driving record can be immense. Not only can this affect your reputation, but it can also affect your right to drive, the cost of insurance, and other rights going forward. People make mistakes. And sometimes people who are facing OWI charges face difficulties with addiction and substance use. In some cases, it might be possible to have your charges reduced or dropped if you seek treatment or alternative programs. The OWI lawyers at the Neumann Law Group in Traverse City, Michigan can review your case and may be able to help you understand your options. Reach out to our OWI lawyers today to learn more.