Articles Tagged with 41b district court drunk driving lawyer

driver-accused-of-drunk-driving.jpg

 

Three Lifetime Drunk Driving Charged as a Felony in Michigan!

Since the passage of Heidi’s Law in Michigan in 2007, a person is subject to felony prosecution for three (3) or more lifetime convictions for any combination of:

  • OWI/operating while intoxicated-alcohol with a BAC of .08 or greater,
  • OUID/operating under the influence of drugs/prescription medications,
  • OWPD/operating with the presence of Schedule 1 controlled substance,
  • Super drunk driving/operating with a high BAC of .17 or greater,
  • OWVI/operating while impaired driving,
  • Zero Tolerance/under 21 with any BAC (0nly 1 such conviction may be counted towards a felony).

Driving under the influence convictions which occur in states outside of Michigan are also counted.   This law has been on the books for several years and all states have adopted this law. However, prior to the passage of this Heidi’s Law, a person could only be charged with felony drunk driving if the prior convictions occurred within 10 years of the new arrest.  This blog will explore legal defense strategies, possible penalties and other ramifications associated with a felony DUI offense. For additional information: What you need to know now if you are charged with drunk driving anywhere in Macomb County.

It is a felony if you get convicted for a third drinking and driving offense in Michigan.  A person convicted of a felony will lose coveted rights such as the right to possess a firearm. There is a social stigma for individuals convicted of a felony and other consequences associated with a felony record.  Hiring a local lawyer with years of experience  handling felony matters if you find yourself facing a DRUNK DRIVING THIRD or any other felony charge. Felony lawyers will look at every possible angle to get the charge dismissed or reduced to lower offense.  Felony lawyers also know what to expect from the local judges and prosecutors in the jurisdiction where they practice.  For example, we know from experience that there is the possibility of reducing a felony charge in Macomb County (including felony drunk driving) to a misdemeanor under certain circumstances and with the Macomb County Prosecutor’s approval.

Penalties for Felony Drunk Driving Conviction

The list of possible penalties for a third driving and driving conviction in Michigan are as follows:

  • Fines: $500.00 to $5,000.00 fine, plus costs.
  • Jail/Community Service: Imprisonment for 1 to 5 years, or, probation with imprisonment in the county jail for not less than 30 days or more than 1 year and community service for not less than 60 days or more than 180 days. Not less than 48 hours of this imprisonment shall be served consecutively.
  • License Sanctions: License revoked minimum of 1 year for any felony driving offense. A second revocation is for 5 years. After minimum period of revocation, a person must appear before the Driver License Appeal Division satisfy several requirements before a license will be granted.
  • Other: Destruction of License, Plate confiscation, Vehicle immobilization from 1 to 3 years, Possible vehicle forfeiture .
  • Points: 6

Proving Drunk Driving: Actual intoxication is irrelevant when test results are .08% or greater

The elements of a drunk driving which the prosecutor must prove are:

Intoxication or Impairment by alcohol, drugs or marijuana: In Michigan “Operating While Intoxicated” (OWI) means operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs (OUID) to a degree that renders one unable to safely drive a vehicle. In Michigan, OWI convictions can be obtained regardless of actual intoxication if a person has a BAC of .08% or greater or tests positive for the presence of certain Schedule 1 drugs. Pursuant to MCL 257.625, “operating while intoxicated” means any of the following:

(a) The person is under the influence of alcoholic liquor, a controlled substance, or other intoxicating substance or a combination of alcoholic liquor, a controlled substance, or other intoxicating substance.

(b) The person has an alcohol content of 0.08 grams or more per 100 milliliters of blood, per 210 liters of breath, or per 67 milliliters of urine, or, beginning October 1, 2018, the person has an alcohol content of 0.10 grams or more per 100 milliliters of blood, per 210 liters of breath, or per 67 milliliters of urine.

(c) The person has an alcohol content of 0.17 grams or more per 100 milliliters of blood, per 210 liters of breath, or per 67 milliliters of urine.

Proof of operation of vehicle:  The police do not have to witness the offender actually driving or operating the vehicle. In the cases researched, you can be charged and convicted with OWI if the police had probable cause to believe the accused was operating the vehicle at some point in time. In other words, evidence of recent operation will suffice in cases where there is an accident or when a vehicle in a ditch or off the road).

Legal traffic stop:  A traffic stop may be based upon any violation of any Michigan traffic laws. Drivers are often stopped for straddling lane markers, weaving between lanes, driving at excessive or very slow speeds, braking erratically, obstructed vision, defective equipment and coming in close contact with objects or other vehicles. The police may also approach a person that is found fixing a flat tire on the shoulder of a road although nothing illegal is occurring! Cellular phone calls to the police may also be used to give law enforcement officers with notice of a drunk driver’s whereabouts. The caller may be eventually be called as a witness.

Planning a defense strategy for felony drinking and driving

Our goals  in every criminal case, including drunk driving, are always the same: avoiding of a conviction and avoiding jail!  While avoiding a conviction or jail 100% of the time is not realistic even for experienced criminal defense lawyers, steps can be taken to get a case under control, reduce charges and obtain the lowest possible sentence.

Police Report: The police report can be obtained soon after we are retained for a criminal matter. By law, the prosecutor is required to provide full disclosure (known as discovery) of the report, videos and test results (see blog regarding alcohol/drug testing). Refuting the accuracy of tests, intoxication and grounds for the traffic stop are ways in which a drunk driving charge may be challenged. An aggressive drunk driving defense may also include:

  • Interviewing any possible witnesses (passengers, last persons who could testify as to client’s sobriety)
  • Obtaining an expert witness to challenge blood or alcohol test results (especially in close cases or cases involving prescription meds or THC levels)
  • Recreating the scene of the traffic stop

Client Background: Obtaining a complete personal history of our client is essential in the preparation of a sound legal defense. In our experience, the positive background of a person can make a vast impression on the prosecutor, the probation department and the assigned judge during various phases of a criminal case.

  • Education, degrees, special skills
  • Employment, years at employment, position, awards
  • Family situation, child support obligations
  • Military duty, tours of service, decorations, honorable discharge
  • Charitable service, community involvement
  • Other awards, achievements, recognition
  • Past and present physical health, mental health, psychological attention, medications
  • Past and present substance abuse/alcohol treatment, in-patient care, attendance of AA, relapse prevention programs

Criminal History: In addition to the personal history, the lifetime criminal conviction history also plays a vital role in the criminal process of a drunk driving offense.  We can usually minimize the value of extremely old criminal offenses.

  • Misdemeanors (including traffic related misdemeanors)
  • Felonies
  • Juvenile record
  • Drinking and drug convictions (disorderly conduct, domestic violence, MIP, possession of marijuana, etc)

Habitual Felony Offenders: For felony convictions, Michigan judges are required to follow the Michigan Sentencing Guidelines. The guidelines factor in prior convictions and felonies for purpose of scoring a sentence range. Prior felonies will be used to label an offender as a habitual offender. A person with 1 prior felony is considered a “habitual offender 1” or Hab-1st. Habitual offender status can go as high as Hab-4.  The maximum penalty for a person with Hab-4th  status (meaning the person has 3 prior felonies not counting the charged felony) is up to life in prison.

Other Relevant Factors:  The following factors may influence the outcome or sentence of a felony drunk driving:

  • Is the person charged with  a *true 3rd DUI offense (meaning the offender has only 2 prior DUI lifetime convictions)?
  • Are any of the prior drinking & driving offenses more than 10 years old?
  • Does the offender have a felony record?
  • Does the pending offense involve an injury accident?
  • Is the blood alcohol content (BAC) in a close range to .08% or is it extremely high (over .17%)?
  • Has the offender engaged a substance abuse counselor and/or AA?
  • Is the offender on probation for any other criminal matter?

*In Macomb County, our firm has advocated plea bargains to a misdemeanor if the offender is charged as a true third drunk driving offender. We have achieved this result in numerous cases; including offenders with more than two (2) prior lifetime DUI offenses. Public policy, accidents involving injuries and directives by the County Prosecuting Attorney may have an impact on plea bargaining drunk driving cases.

Possible outcomes of a drunk driving felony

Everyone likes to believe that they will win their drunk driving case at trial. This is not realistic since the vast majority of drunk driving offenses (as well as all other criminal offenses) in Michigan are resolved based upon a plea bargain.  In fact, recent statistics indicate that over 90% of all criminal cases are resolved by a plea bargain and not by trial.

Rarely is a client willing to roll the dice at trial when we can secure a deal to have a drunk driving felony reduced to a misdemeanor with a dismissal of the felony charge. However, our attorneys will examine a case from every angle to determine the best course of action which may include:

  • Scheduling the case for a jury trial
  • Fling and arguing motions to dismiss because of an illegal traffic stop
  • Filing and arguing improper testing procedures or equipment failures
  • Plea bargaining to a misdemeanor (achieved by our firm in numerous drunk driving cases)
  • Negotiating the minimum sentence (30 days with community service) to avoid prison
  • Sobriety Court

Michigan State Police Annual Drunk Driving Audit

The Michigan State Police maintains an annual audit of drunk driving cases based upon data from the courts and police in Michigan which provides detailed information concerning traffic fatalities and injuries, as well as drunk driving arrest activities in the state. The most recent Michigan Drunk Driving Audit covers 2022 which was completed in July, 2023. Therefore, don’t expect the 2023 audit until around July, 2024. Here are some of the details obtained from the 2022 Annual Drunk Driving Audit:

Macomb County, Number of breath and/or blood tests for alcohol: 1,890

Oakland County, Number of breath and/or blood tests for alcohol: 3,619

Wayne County, Number of breath and/or blood tests for alcohol: 3,735

St. Clair County, Number of breath and/or blood tests for alcohol: 458

Washtenaw County, Number of breath and/or blood tests for alcohol: 840

There are thousands of drunk driving arrests in the Metro Detroit and surrounding regions as illustrated by the above information. Some of these individuals may be facing any one of the following drinking and driving offenses:

Continue reading ›

 

D52061D2-A468-44D3-8C63-5EC426E443F5

According to 2019 Michigan State Police records – 4,933 crimes were reported to the Clinton Township Police. The majority of crimes reported were for larceny, retail fraud (shoplifting), operating while intoxicated (OWI), OWI with a high BAC (.17 or more), domestic violence and assault crimes. The jurisdictional geographical boundaries of the 41B District Court include Clinton Township, Mt. Clemens & Harrison Township. 

41B District Court Information, Location, Zoom Identification

The 41B District Court  has jurisdiction to handle civil, traffic and criminal cases arising in Clinton Township, Harrison Township and Mount Clemens.

  • 41B District Court Address: 22380 Starks Drive, Clinton Township, Michigan 48038
  • Map: Link to map
  • Phone: 586-469-9300
  • Zoom Administrator ID: 218-957-8812
  • Magistrate Zoom ID: 843-970-5882

Clinton Township has its own police department while Harrison Township and Mount Clemens employ the Macomb County Sheriff’s Department for police services. The 41B District Court is served by 3 judges: Judge Sebastian Lucido, Judge Jacob Femminineo and Judge Carrie Lynn Fuca. In 2020, Judge Femminineo replaced long standing Judge Linda Davis. Judge Linda Davis is now active in the organization that she spearheaded, Families Against Narcotics (FAN).

41B District Court has an expansive jurisdiction with east to west borders from Lake St. Clair in Harrison Township to Hayes Road, and north and south borders from 14 Mile Road to Hall Road. The area has a diverse mixture of established and newer real estate, shopping centers, major retailers (Target, Walmart, etc.) Macomb County Community College, and the Partridge Creek Mall. The Macomb County Sheriff’s Department and the Clinton Township Police are the predominant law enforcement agencies in the area.

More than 10% of the total number of crimes in Macomb County are reported in 41B District Court boundaries. In 2019, there were 41,683 crimes reported in Macomb County with 4,933 being reported through the Clinton Township Police Department and several more reported to the Macomb County Sheriff Department.

We are frequent practitioners in the 41B District Court with more experience in that jurisdiction than any other attorneys in Macomb County.  In our opinion, the 41B District Court will give a person a second chance and has a philosophy to encourage rehabilitation and therapeutic justice rather than jail and punitive measures. 

Hire a lawyer now! Court personnel cannot give legal advice and the prosecutor does not represent you!

The court staff, the prosecutor and judicial officers are forbidden by law to provide you with legal advice. If you are facing a criminal or drunk driving matter in the 41B District Court, you need a skilled Clinton Township criminal defense lawyer to fight for your rights and get your life back on track. The 41B District handles a wide range of the criminal cases that occur in Clinton Township, Harrison Township and Mount Clemens.  The following is list of some of the most prevalent misdemeanor and felony cases on the 41B District Court’s criminal docket:

Crimes involving firearms are also on the rise throughout Macomb County. Gun crimes include carry a concealed weapon, brandishing a firearm and possession of a firearm under the influence.

Dismissals, felonies reduced to misdemeanors: There’s always a way to resolve a legal predicament. Just because you are guilty does not mean that you will be found guilty. In many cases, there’s a way to get out of the criminal justice system unscathed and without a conviction or by getting a felony dropped down to a petty offense.  An attorney can explain how all of these special provisions of law are utilized in the 41-B District Court which can result in a dismissal of a criminal matter:

Multiple criminal offenses and drunk driving are eligible for expungement

Michigan has adopted Clean Slate legislation that enables eligible individuals to get multiple offenses, and one drunk driving offense, expunged. For the first time ever (effective February 19, 2022) an individual can file a petition to get any of the following offenses for drinking or drugged driving expunged:

  • Operating While Intoxicated (OWI)
  • Operating While Visibly Impaired (OWVI)
  • High BAC .17 or more or Super Drunk Driving
  • Minor with any BAC (Zero Tolerance)
  • Operating with the Presence of a Controlled Substance conviction

The following driving offenses are not eligible for expungement:

  • OWI with a child (passenger under 16)
  • OWI or Impaired Driving causing serious injury
  • OWI or Impaired Driving causing death.

Retail Fraud Cases in the 41B District Court: DISMISSED!

The offense of retail fraud, also known as shoplifting, can occur when an individual intentionally does any of the following at a retail or business establishment:

  • Conceals property with the intent to steal
  • Changes a price tag or packaging of an item
  • Attempts to defeat the checkout scanner

If you are charged with retail fraud, chances are that you have not been in trouble before and had the money to pay for the goods. If a client is not a US citizen, we will take extra measures in our negotiations to AVOID DEPORTATION. Getting the best 41B District Court retail fraud lawyer is important if you want to keep your dignity, keep your case private, avoid deportation and get the charge dismissed with NO JAIL.

Domestic Violence

Are you being charged with domestic violence in the 41B District Court? Are other attorneys telling you to just plead guilty? Have you been told that you can’t get the no-contact order lifted? Does your significant other, spouse or other side want the case dismissed? If you are in this position, get a Macomb County domestic violence lawyer to explain how you can get the charge DISMISSED, can get the no-contact order lifted and will not be labeled with an assault crime.

Over 200 Charged with Operating While Intoxicated in the 41B District in 2019

There is always a consistently high number of OWI/DUI cases in the 41B District Court. From our experience, you are not looking at jail or losing your license for a first time drinking/drugged driving offense. In addition, if you are charged with a felony OWI/DUI (OWI Third), there is a good chance it can be reduced to a misdemeanor with the right 41B District Court drunk driving lawyers. It is extremely difficult and rare, but not impossible, to get a drinking and driving offense reduced to a non-criminal offense. Fortunately, the judges in the 41B District Court have a sentencing philosophy that encourages rehabilitation rather than incarceration.

If a person is charged with Super DUI (BAC .17 or greater), there is a good chance it can be reduced to a lower offense. Using local Clinton Township drunk driving defense lawyers that know the local policies, practices and prosecutors is your best bet if you are looking to get significant deal on any drunk driving case.

All of the 41B District Court Judges have been in private law practice 

The 41B District Court bench all had careers in the private sector running their own law practices. The 41B District Court Judges all know what its like to stand next to another person that is falsely accused of a crime or needs someone to fight for their rights. The 41B District Court is a court system that works with lawyers and those accused of crimes to deliver just and fair results.

From the moment that there is an arrest or a criminal investigation, you need to all of the protection that a local criminal defense attorney can offer. Getting a local Clinton Township criminal defense attorney that knows the system is the best place to start if you are looking to get out of the court system with the best possible outcome.

The 41B District Court Probation Department

It is within the judge’s discretion whether or not to place an individual on probation after being convicted of a criminal or drunk driving offense. For most criminal matters, there will be a period of probation imposed. The maximum period of probation that can be imposed for a misdemeanor is 2 years.  Probation may be non-reporting or require the individual to REPORT (to a probation officer. In certain situations, a skilled criminal defense lawyer can advocate for a short term of probation (3-6 months) or for NO PROBATION.

Probation Violations: The 41B District Court lists various situations that can result in a probation violation:

If you violate your probation for any reason, probation can be terminated, any deal or deferral can be taken away and jail can be imposed. The list below contains common reasons for a probation violation warrant.

  • Alcohol and drug testing violations (failing tests, missed tests).
  • Failure to appear for probation appointments.
  • Getting charged with a new criminal matter.
  • Failure to obtain permission to leave the State of Michigan.
  • Failure to provide current address to the probation department.
  • Failure to attend counseling or program as ordered by the Judge.
  • Failure to pay fines & costs by the due date.
  • Failure to pay restitution.

Probation Modification Hearings: In Michigan, probation can be imposed for up to two (2) years for a misdemeanor offense. While on probation, a person’s right to travel or consume alcoholic beverages can be restricted. Other rights can also be limited or denied while on probation. Probation is an alternative to jail but it also a restraint on personal freedoms and rights. If you are on probation and have been compliant, the 41B District Court Judges may consider modifying or terminating your probation. You will need to talk to an attorney about filing a motion to modify or terminate probation. There are three major reasons that clients ask us to file a motion to modify probation:

  1. Motion to terminate probation early.
  2. Motion to amend probation from reporting to non-reporting.
  3. Motion to amend probation regarding termination/reduction of alcohol/drug testing.

Isolated Incident, First Offender, Not Likely to Get Into Trouble Again: An attorney can advocate for lesser probation, non-reporting probation or a shorter period of probation for eligible offenders.

Traffic Violations in the 41B District Court: Reduced to Avoid Points and Record of any Conviction!

Like other district courts in Macomb County, I would say that traffic tickets are on the top of the list of types of cases that are litigated at the 41B District Court. Gratiot Avenue, Metro Parkway, a stretch of I-94 and Hall Road all contribute to the traffic volume in the 41B District Court.  When resolving a traffic matter in the 41B District Court, we are often able to negotiate a reduction or avoid points. A substantial reduction in a traffic ticket occurs when it is reduced to an offense such as impeding traffic or double parking. A traffic ticket that is reduced to impeding traffic or double parking does not carry any points and will never appear on a person’s driving record! We are also able to get favorable results for individuals charged with misdemeanor traffic offenses such as driving while suspended, reckless driving and leaving the scene of an accident

Continue reading ›

OWI-DUI-Breath-Test

A Qualified DUI Lawyer Should Know the Law and the Science

Qualified DUI lawyers know the laws and the science that can make the difference in the defense of a DUI case. On the legal side, there are hundreds of complex laws, administrative rules, rules of evidence and trial procedure that are involved in the defense of a DUI case. An understanding of the science requires a working knowledge of alcohol and drug interaction with the body.

In this publication, we key in on aspects of the law and the science that comes into play with respect to DUI testing.

Michigan’s Implied Consent Law: Testing for drugs or alcohol if suspected of operating under the influence

Under Michigan’s Implied Consent Law, all persons with a Michigan driver’s license are considered to have given their consent to submit to testing upon the request of a law enforcement officer. Blood, breath or urine chemical tests are utilized to determine blood alcohol content (BAC) or the presence of drugs. Positive test results for illegal drugs, marijuana and prescribed medications are all fair game to support a charge of “operating under the influence of drugs” or “operating while impaired”.  Commonly, the police utilize the breathalyzer to determine a person’s BAC. If a person is extremely inebriated or incapacitated, a blood draw at a medical facility is often utilized and also to allow for medical treatment and detoxification if deemed necessary.

Michigan’s Implied Consent Law pertains to the chemical test offered by the police when you are arrested for a drinking or drugged while driving offense, such as:

  • Zero Tolerance for those Under Age 21 Operating with a BAC of .02 – .07
  • Operating while Intoxicated (OWI), BAC .08 or more
  • Operating with a High Blood Alcohol Content – BAC .17 or more (Super DUI)
  • Operating with any Presence of Drugs (OWPD) (cocaine, heroin, marijuana)
  • Operating Under the Influence of Other Drugs, including prescribed medications
  • Operating while Impaired

Michigan Drunk Driving Laws make the offenses of Zero tolerance (.02-.07), OWI (.08 or more) and Operating with a High BAC (.17 or more) presumptive crimes whereby intoxication is presumed based solely upon blood alcohol content, regardless of actual intoxication.

Search Warrant for Blood Test: If you refuse the chemical test offered by the police, the police may obtain a search warrant for a blood test. If a search warrant for blood is approved, you will be transported to a facility, such as a hospital, for a blood draw by a qualified person.

Your Right to a Second Test: If you take the test offered by the police, you are entitled to request a second test of your own choosing and expense. This right to a second test of your choice is forfeited if you have refused the test offered by the police. In some cases, a second test may be used as evidence to refute the first test obtained by law enforcement officers.

Sanctions for Refusal: If you refuse a test, six (6) points will be added to your driver record license will be suspended for one year. A suspension of a license, or non-resident operating privilege, is automatic for any refusal to submit to the test. This is a separate consequence from any subsequent convictions resulting from the traffic stop or drinking and driving charge. If you are arrested a second time in seven (7) years and again unreasonably refuse the test, six (6) points will be added to your driver record and your license will be suspended for two years. If you refuse to take the test under the Michigan Implied Consent Law, or if the test shows your BAC is 0.08 or more (Operating While Intoxicated) your Michigan driver’s license will be destroyed by the officer and a 625g paper permit to drive will be issued until further action by the State of Michigan as to your license.

Appeal Rights: The Implied Consent suspension may be appealed to the Driver Assessment and Appeal Division (DAAD). The request for hearing must be mailed within 14 days of the date of arrest or your operator’s or chauffeur’s license and vehicle group designation or operating privilege will be automatically suspended without a hearing. You are entitled to have an attorney present for this hearing. However, if you lose at this hearing, you have a right to appeal a first time implied consent suspension to the circuit court where the offense occurred and request a restricted license based upon hardship and need. You may also appeal based upon the merits of the decision of the DAAD hearing officer.

The Science of Blood Alcohol Content: Consumption, Absorption and Elimination

Both math and chemistry are at play in the determination of blood alcohol content (BAC).  Alcohol consumption is the first step in the process of alcohol entering the human body.  After taking a drink, alcohol first enters the digestive system. From the digestive system, it is absorbed into the blood. The process of elimination occurs over time whereby alcohol is dissipated from the blood. Alcohol absorption and elimination are influenced by several factors including weight, sex, metabolism, medications and consumption of food. For purposes of calculating blood alcohol content (BAC), most graphs consider a standard drink to be equal to:

  • Wine: 5 ounces with 12% alcohol content
  • Beer: 12 ounces with 5% alcohol content
  • Liquor: 1.5 ounces with 40% alcohol content (80 proof)

Alcohol testing (in connection with DUI cases) is accomplished by testing the blood, breath or urine of an individual. Analysis of blood is a direct method of testing for alcohol, while breath and urine tests are indirect methods. Alcohol graphs take three (3) major factors into consideration for purposes of estimating blood alcohol content (BAC). Those factors are number of drinks (based upon the above measurements) the body weight and the gender of the individual.

Gender: In general, women have less body water than men of similar body weight, so the result is higher concentrations of alcohol in the blood after drinking. In addition, women have a higher concentration of body fat than men. Body fat does not absorb alcohol, which results in a higher concentration of alcohol in the bloodstream as well.

men-woman-drink-weight-bac-chart

Absorption: The process of alcohol being absorbed into the blood from the digestive system can occur over a period of 30 to 60 minutes but can take up to 2 hours. The recent consumption of food prior to drinking alcoholic beverages can slow down the rate of absorption. In addition, the absorption rate is faster when higher alcohol content beverages are consumed.

Elimination: Like absorption, time is the major factor which has an influence on the elimination of alcohol from the blood. The average elimination rate for most drinkers is .010 to .015 per hour. Consumption of water does not have an impact on the elimination rate of alcohol. Ninety (90%) of alcohol is broken down or eliminated by the liver. The remainder is eliminated by breath, sweat and urine.

CLICK HERE: For additional information on the topic of alcohol absorption and elimination.

Continue reading ›

Contact Information