Michigan Drunk Driving -- Introduction & Overview
Welcome to the Maze Legal Group's on-line legal resource for Michigan drunk driving law and procedure. We have attempted to provide the most complete and through overview of Michigan's drunk driving laws to assist people that may be facing criminal charges for the very first time in their life.
The offense of drunk driving, known as "OWI" or "operating while intoxicated," is exactly the same as a DUI or a DWI, and we use the terms interchangeably. Every state has its own unique manner of classifying a drunk driving offense under several acronyms. The term OUIL (operating under the influence of intoxicating liquors) was practically unique to Michigan until a few years ago. There is also DUI (driving under the influence) and DWI (driving while intoxicated). These are derived from a state's statutory language, but they all point to the same type offense: drunk driving, impaired driving, driving under the influence of a narcotic, etc.
An OWI arrest is made every ten minutes in Michigan alone. A drunk driving charge is one of the most common criminal offenses in the United States, and the bulk of these charges are made against otherwise law abiding people. Approximately 3,836 people are arrested each day for suspected drunk driving nationally, with 150 people being arrested in Michigan daily.
Based upon recent reports from the federal government, approximately one in ten motorists arrested for drunk driving is wrongfully arrested, although our government describes this more optimistically as "accurate in 91 percent of the cases, or as high as 94 percent if explanations for some of the false positives are accepted." (A "false positive" is an innocent person locked in jail, with or without an acceptable explanation.)
In almost every case, the prosecuting attorney will automatically offer to reduce a charge from OWI to OWVI (operating while visibly impaired). There is essentially no difference between the two charges, and they both count as a drunk driving conviction. At best, the difference is designed to encourage people to waive the right to contest the evidence.
It is absolutely legal to drink and drive. It is only illegal to drive while impaired or intoxicated. Moreover, even intoxicated motorists have constitutional rights that require a dismissal in many cases. If you have been charged with drunk driving, it is important that you contact an attorney as soon as possible. Important video tape evidence may be available that could exonerate you, require suppression of evidence, or mandate that the case be dismissed.
About the Maze Legal Group, PC
Please do not hesitate to call our law offices if you have been charged with a drunk driving DUI OWI DWI charge. Call us toll free at (888) 941-1122. Experienced drunk driving defense attorneys are ready to help you fight your case.
Disclaimer:
The materials contained in this web site have been prepared for informational purposes only. The information is general in nature, and it may not apply to particular factual or legal circumstances. In any event, the materials do not constitute legal advice or opinions and should not be relied upon as such. Transmission of the information is not intended to create, and receipt does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship. Internet subscribers and online readers should not act upon any information in this web site without seeking professional counsel.
© Copyright 2006 Maze Legal Group, PC. All Rights Reserved.
The Maze Legal Group is owned and operated by William J. Maze. Mr. Maze graduated from The Citadel in 1992 and Wayne State University Law School in 1996. He has ten years of experience in private practice, and Mr. Maze has earned a reputation of successfully defending drunk driving charges throughout Michigan. Mr. Maze is certified in the NHTSA/IACP standardized field sobriety tests, he is a member of the National College for DUI Defense, and he owns PBT devices and a BAC Datamaster, Michigan's breath testing instrument. More important, Mr. Maze is a trial attorney prepared to defend people rather than simply accepting whatever the prosecution is willing to offer.