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Lansing DUI Lawyer

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We leave no stone unturned and meticulously investigate every case that we take on.

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Relentless pursuit of the best possible outcome of your case. Period.

If you have been charged with driving under the influence (DUI), your whole life can change instantly. Not only can you be facing significant fines and penalties, but the repercussions that result can follow you for the rest of your life. That is why before you deal with these devastating consequences on your own, you should contact an experienced Lansing DUI lawyer as soon as possible.

Consequences of a dui in Michigan

If you have been convicted of a DUI, you can end up facing:

  • Incarceration in jail or even prison, depending on whether you’ve been charged with a misdemeanor or felony
  • Expensive fines and court costs ranging anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars
  • Loss of employment if you cannot drive for work
  • Points on your driver’s license
  • For that matter, having your license restricted, suspended, or revoked
  • Community service ranging from days to weeks
  • High insurance premiums
  • An impounded motor vehicle
  • Issues with child custody or visitation rights
  • Immigration problems (even if you’re an American citizen—good luck getting into Canada with that DUI conviction!)
  • Depending on the circumstances, loss of your CPL rights (or even your gun rights altogether)
  • A criminal record

Relevant Michigan dui statutes

Michigan has various laws prohibiting driving while under the influence, including regulations regarding operating while under the influence of drugs or alcohol (OWI) and operating while visibly impaired (OWVI) by drugs or alcohol. However, most people still refer to both as DUI.

Generally, an OWI is the more serious of the two offenses and involves operating a motor vehicle while:

  • Under the influence of a controlled substance (including your prescription medications!) or alcohol
  • Having a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08% or greater
  • Having any amount of a schedule I controlled substance or cocaine (technically a schedule II drug) in the body
  • Being under the influence of an intoxicating substance, even if it’s not listed as a controlled substance

In comparison, an OWVI charge results from your ability to operate a motor vehicle being visibly impaired. You might be thinking, “What’s the difference?” which is a great question. Think of intoxication as being legitimately drunk or high, while visible impairment is at that threshold where it’s clear you’ve had something, but not so much that you make a fool of yourself. This is neither a legal test nor a scientific one, but just our attempt at helping you understand what the difference is.

Aggravating factors

Although the punishment for an OWI is often significant, you can face even more substantial penalties if you are charged with an aggravated OWI. Typically, factors that can lead to an aggravated OWI include:

  • Causing a serious injury or death
  • Driving on a revoked license or a suspended license
  • Driving without automobile insurance
  • Transporting a minor while under the influence of alcohol or drugs
  • Having prior offenses
  • Having a BAC of 0.17 or higher, which we colloquially call being “super drunk.”

How to strengthen your case

If you’ve been charged with a DUI, the situation may seem overwhelming and incredibly stressful. Fortunately, there are things you can do to strengthen your case, including:

Collect evidence

Your defense can be stronger if you can offer credible evidence that you were not drinking and driving, such as providing proof that your erratic driving was due to a medical condition and not alcohol or drugs.

Avoid getting in further trouble

Another way to build credibility is to stay out of trouble. This means you should not commit any other criminal offense, no matter how minor or insignificant it may be, as the judge can look at your whole criminal history when deciding your punishment.

Work with a Lansing dui lawyer

Due to the complexity of a DUI charge, it is crucial to reach out to an experienced Lansing DUI lawyer as soon as possible. These skilled lawyers can not only help you present the most vigorous defense possible, but they can also help you fight to get back control of your life—whether you’re needing that control back from the government, addiction, or both. Schedule a free consultation so that we can answer any questions you have about your DUI charges.

 

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For these reasons, it is important to work with an experienced Lansing DUI attorney who can help you fight against these charges before you receive a conviction.”
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Yes, we’re big fans of defending people’s rights. But check out what our clients are saying...

(That's what really matters!)

"Dustyn Coontz was friendly and professional from the first meeting with him until the conclusion of my case"

I was informed and up to date through the entire process. Anytime I had questions or concerns I just contacted his office and was always answered or soon returned a call.
Phil

“Incredibly thorough and professional!”

Services rendered were above and beyond the call of duty. I can't imagine my experience with the legal system without the assistance of Coontz Law and the attorney provided to me.
Andrew

“Hands down been an Excellent Lawyer!”

Never judged never looked down on my story instead gave me hope that the outcome would be better by fighting and not giving in. A lawyer thats Willing to fight for you to the end is ONE you WANT and NEED on your Team!!! I would recommend and also rate 5 Stars! I appreciate all you've done so far in my case.
Kandra

“He is kind, compassionate, and cares about people.”

He even called me and texted me back a few extra times when he didn't have to. For me he went beyond. Thanks so much, Dustyn.
Christine

“If you need legal representation, I would highly recommend Coontz Law”

From my first conversation with Dustyn, he was a calm presence since this was the first time I needed any legal assistance. He truly wants the best for his clients and is truly a wonderful lawyer to have on your side. I never felt judged and he was willing to fight for the best outcome for myself & my future.
Jake
A great criminal defense starts with a simple free consultation

Our Process

01
You schedule a call
Meet briefly to learn more ∙ Understand your specific situation ∙ Determine if we can help
02
We suggest a solution
Know what it will cost ∙ Understand how long it’ll take ∙ Know what next steps look like.
03
We work together
Gather & review evidence ∙ Create defense strategy ∙ Provide updates without you even asking
04
Enjoy peace of mind
We’ll work tirelessly on your behalf to get you the best possible outcome on your case.

FAQs

How Long Will Your License Be Suspended Following a DUI?

If you have been convicted of an OWI, you can be penalized with a license suspension. For example, if you are a first-time offender and you are convicted of an OWI, your license can be suspended for 30 days, followed by 150 days of restricted driving privileges. A high BAC conviction results in at least 45 days suspended, 320 days restricted with an ignition interlock (or “blow and go”) device. With an OWVI conviction, you don’t lose your license and just have 90 days of restrictions.

But if you have two DUI convictions in seven years, or three in 10, then your license will be revoked for at least one year. This means at some point you’ll need to go through the process of a driver’s license appeal, for which you might want to hire a lawyer.

How Long Will a DUI Remain on Your Record?

In Michigan, a DUI conviction can stay on your record for life. That said, there is a new law going into effect in March 2022 that will allow you to have a first offense expunged from your criminal record (but not your driving record). If you’re looking for a clean slate from a past DUI offense, it’s a good idea to contact an expungement lawyer. Generally, a DUI will mean you will be facing misdemeanor charges. However, if you receive multiple DUI convictions, the penalties go up (and the possibility of expungement disappears). In addition, if you are charged a third time for drunk driving, a DUI conviction can mean felony charges.

For these reasons, it is important to work with an experienced Lansing DUI attorney who can help you fight against these charges before you receive a conviction.

How Can an Experienced Lansing DUI Lawyer Help You?

Following a DUI or a drugged driving charge, you should reach out to an experienced DUI attorney to begin preparing the best possible defense for your case as soon as you can. These experienced lawyers can try to negotiate with the prosecutor for a lesser charge and present the strongest arguments and evidence against these charges.