Drunk driving is one of the most common crimes in Michigan. It is also one of the most serious, as a conviction for first-time offenders can result in months of jail time, fines and more. At Willis Law, our attorneys understand the importance of putting forth a strong, coherent defense against drunk driving charges, especially when a person's BAC is allegedly .17 or greater.

'Super Drunk' Driving Charges

Penalties under Michigan's "Super Drunk" law are double those of "normal" OWI charges. This means that first-time offenders could spend up to 180 days in jail, which could significantly impact personal relationships, work, extended license suspension and more.

At Willis Law, we defend individuals facing drunk driving charges, including "Super Drunk," OWI and OWVI. We fight for the best outcome possible and strive to keep our clients out of jail, in possession of their driver's license and without a criminal record.

Michigan's Super Drunk Law

Individuals can be charged under the "Super Drunk" law if they were operating a motor vehicle with a bodily alcohol content (BAC) of .17 percent or above, even on a first offense. If your bodily alcohol content is .17 or above on a first offense, you will face stiffer penalties, including:

• Up to 180 days in jail
• $200 to $700 in fines
• One-year driver's license suspension with no exceptions for the first 45 days, restricted driving privileges thereafter with an ignition interlock device
• Immobilization of vehicle if caught driving without an ignition interlock installed

Another component of a "Super Drunk" case is that during the restricted driving period, you will be required to pay to have an ignition interlock device installed in your vehicle that you must blow into before your engine will start. It will also require you to blow periodically as you are operating your vehicle or turn off the engine, if you do not.

Remember, being charged under "Super Drunk" does not mean that you are guilty. Mistakes happen in these cases. We will thoroughly examine the circumstances of your arrest to identify factors such as an improper traffic stop, failure by the police to use proper arrest procedures, a faulty field sobriety test and faulty BAC test.

Contact an Experienced Drunk Driving Defense Lawyer

To learn more about how our attorneys can help you, contact us today for a free initial consultation. We have office locations in Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids and Paw Paw.