Charged with a DUI? Consult a Criminal Defense Attorney in Traverse City, Michigan

Anyone who has ever been charged with a DUI can probably relate to the shock and fear one experiences when faced with a misdemeanor. In an instant, your life is shaken up and your present and future destabilized. As criminal defense attorneys in Traverse City, Michigan we understand this, and we can imagine how emotionally raw you must feel at this time. If you or someone you know has been recently charged with a DUI, we encourage you to reach out to an attorney in the area who will help you work through this challenging time.

The Consequences of a DUI Charge in the State of Michigan & How an Attorney Can Help

In the state of Michigan, driving under the influence is also referred to as ‘operating while intoxicated (OWI) or ‘operating with any presence of a schedule 1 drug or cocaine’ (OWPD). According to the Office of Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, first time OWI or OWPD offenders, will be submitted to the following: “paying a $100 to $500 fine and [doing] one  or more of the following: [spending] up to 93 days in jail, [doing] up to 360 hours of community service, driver’s license suspension for 30 days, followed by license restrictions for 150 days, possible vehicle immobilization, possible ignition interlock, and [have] six points added to [their] driving record.” Those who commit a second offense within 7 years, will have to pay a “$200 to $1000 fine, and go through one or more of the following: [spend] 5 days to 1 year in jail, [complete] 30 to 90 days of community service, driver’s license revocation and denial for a minimum of 1 year (minimum of 5 years if there was a prior revocation within 7 years)” …. among other things.

Clearly, DUI charges come with a wide range of consequences, and although the state outlines the penalties and financial repercussions of these charges, there’s also an emotional aspect to these cases. Individuals who are faced with DUI charges can experience a great deal of stress, trauma and even suicidal thoughts. Depending on the gravity of the charges, they could feel as though their lives are over. Criminal defense attorneys understand this, which is why they try to provide you the legal support you need through this difficult time and manage the situation as tactfully as possible, so you come out the least affected. As Peoples Problems outlines, there are simply great advantages to hiring a DUI lawyer. According to them, “one of the most beneficial ways that DUI lawyers can assist their clients is by, in some cases, being able to apply legal logic to get evidence suppressed and cases dismissed. At the very least, an attorney who is adept at handling DUI cases may be able to get charges reduced, jail time suspended, fines lessened and driving restrictions restored on a probationary basis. All those things are very hard to accomplish without a lawyer.” So, if you have been charged with a DUI, we highly recommend that you reach out to an experienced criminal defense attorney in Traverse City, Michigan by calling the Neumann Law Group at (231) 221-0050.