| If you're charged with a drunk driving offense in | | | | advice because they are only interested in obtaining a |
| Michigan, the choices you make during your case are | | | | conviction -- not helping you. |
| crucial because of the state's unique laws. Here are 8 | | | | 4. Expecting a legal outcome based on another |
| common mistakes you must avoid: | | | | person's case. Each drunk driving situation offers a |
| 1. Assuming a drunk driving charge can't be defended. | | | | unique set of circumstances. In Michigan, outcomes |
| Michigan has some of the nation's toughest DUI and | | | | vary from court-to-court and case-to-case. |
| DWI laws. So a conviction can result in a lengthy jail | | | | 5. Thinking your social status will result in leniency in the |
| sentence (up to 93 days), license suspension and | | | | courtroom. Due to Michigan's strict drunk driving laws, |
| points, fines up to $500, 360 hours of community | | | | history has proven people with higher status can be |
| service, and an ignition interlock device on your car -- | | | | punished more severely. The consequences are also |
| and that's only for a low breath test first offense. A | | | | often more damaging. For example, if you have a |
| first offense conviction under Michigan's new super | | | | high-profile job requiring a professional license (e.g., |
| drunk law carries much more significant punishment, | | | | doctor, dentist, therapist, etc.), a drunk driving charge |
| including more jail time, fines and mandatory substance | | | | puts this license in jeopardy. |
| abuse counseling. Lawyers have legal knowledge and | | | | 6. Holding back information from your lawyer. Although |
| information about laws that can sometimes help lower | | | | not unique to client-attorney relationships in Michigan, |
| your fine and jail time. | | | | withholding or lying to your lawyer is a mistake -- in any |
| 2. Believing your drunk driving charge doesn't carry | | | | situation -- that will always come back to haunt you. |
| serious consequences. Don't think you can just walk | | | | 7. Not documenting the events that occurred during |
| into court, plead guilty and then move on. If your | | | | your drunk driving charge. Memories fade, so write |
| charge isn't defended properly, and you end up with a | | | | down your version of what happened during your |
| conviction, then you face a lifetime of consequences | | | | arrest as soon as possible. |
| because Michigan drunk driving cases stay on your | | | | 8. Hiring a lawyer based on the lowest price. Michigan |
| record permanently. Negative outcomes include | | | | does not have a continuing education requirement. As |
| skyrocketing insurance rates, employment challenges | | | | a result, many of Michigan's lawyers don't get additional |
| and travel restrictions to Canada. | | | | training after law school. The lawyers who spend the |
| 3. Taking advice from someone other than your | | | | time and money to stay on top of specialized |
| lawyer. You might be surprised to find out Michigan | | | | education in topics such as breath and blood testing |
| police officers rarely really know or understand the law | | | | and alcohol metabolism gain knowledge that helps |
| and are known to offer questionable guidance, such as | | | | deliver successful results for clients. Rarely will the |
| downplaying the situation and stating you don't need a | | | | most qualified lawyers have the lowest fees. |
| lawyer. Also, avoid talking to prosecutors or taking their | | | | |