There are four major alcohol- or drug-related driving offenses, each with its own penalties:

Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) is operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08% or greater or under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance. The first offense is a misdemeanor punishable by one or more of the following:

The Secretary of State will suspend the operator's license for 180 days and a restricted license is available only after 30 days. Six points are also assessed against the driver s record.

Operating While Visibly Impaired (OWVI) is operating a motor vehicle while visibly impaired due to the consumption of alcohol or a controlled substance. No specific alcohol or drug content is required. The first offense is a misdemeanor punishable by one or more of the following:

The Secretary of State will suspend the operator's license for 90 days in the case of alcohol, 180 days in the case of drugs, and a restricted license is available. Four points will be assessed against the driver's record.

Operating with Presence of Drugs (OWPD) is operating a motor vehicle with any amount of a controlled substance in the body. No specific amount is required, and the drugs need not affect one's driving. The first offense is a misdemeanor punishable by one or more of the following:

The Secretary of State will suspend the operator's license for 180 days and a restricted license is available only after 30 days. Six points will be assessed against the driver's record.

"Zero Tolerance" provides that no person under the age of 21 shall operate a motor vehicle with any bodily alcohol content. No specific amount is required, and the alcohol need not affect one's driving. The first offense is a misdemeanor punishable by one or more of the following:

The Secretary of State will suspend the operator's license for 30 days and a restricted license is available. Four points will be assessed against the driver's record.

For all of these offenses, the penalties are progressively more severe with multiple convictions. The Motor Vehicle Code also includes other alcohol-or drug-related offenses, such as OWI/OWVI causing injury or death and OWI/OWVI endangering a child, that have significant criminal penalties and Secretary of State sanctions. Moreover, the Michigan Penal Code includes numerous offenses which, when committed with a motor vehicle, have serious penalties.

Persons accused of these various driving offenses require effective and proven representation. The defense attorneys at Willey & Chamberlain have the experience and know-how you need, in courts and before the Secretary of State, to evaluate your case thoroughly and provide the best advice on how to approach it.