DUI offenses in the state of Michigan have punishments, depending upon the situation. An OMVI or Michigan OWI has 3 driving offenses;

1.    Operating while under the influence of alcohol,

2.    Driving with an illegal body alcohol level,

3.    Operating a vehicle while impaired.

The OWI is the lease serious of all alcohol related charges. Of course, the court must prove that the individual accused is guilty”beyond a reasonable doubt”!

Michigan has “No Tolerance” for those individuals (minors) under the age of 21. This is in strict compliance with the non- drinking regulations that Michigan has set up for minors. Many states have fines and/ or lenient jail sentences for those individuals driving under the influence; however Michigan is strict with regard to the jail punishment. This helps in persuading individual’s top “not drink and drive”. For example a 1st offender of OUIL or excessive BAC in Michigan can be forced to pay up to $ 500 in fines , 93 days in jail , and 45 days of community service if convicted. A 2nd Dui, OUIL, or UBAC could result in $1,000 fine with up to 1 year in prison. With each additional DUI conviction, the fine increases, as well as the incarcerations, putting a 3rd offense up to $ 5,000 in fines and 1 to 5 years in prison, and so forth. Many persons do not mind to pay a stiff fine, however they do not want to go to prison. So, the rigid prison sentences help to encourage persons not to drive while under the influence.

A driver’s blood or alcohol level (BAC) should not be greater than .08% while operating a vehicle, which is compliant to most other states pertaining to DUI offenses.

Many individuals feel that they can drink, drive, and not get caught, so they take a chance on driving. There are various signs that draw attention to an individual who has been drinking and is behind the wheel:

•    Driving very slowly,

•    Driving over the yellow line,

•    Weaving  from side to side,

•    Driving without headlights

These are just some of the signs that police frequently see in regard to intoxicated persons.