In Michigan, Super Drunk is Super Bad

In Michigan on October 31 a new Michigan statute goes into effect changing the penalties for those convicted of driving drunk.

2010-12-04

December 04, 2010 (Press-News.org) In Michigan on October 31, scary costumes on trick or treaters won't be the only thing to be frightened of; a new Michigan statute goes into effect changing the penalties for those convicted of driving drunk.

The section 257.625 of the Michigan Statues creates a new category of drunk driver, for those with blood alcohol content (BAC) above .17.

This category, is labeled by some "Super Drunk Law," but the Grand Rapids Press quotes Anne Readett, spokesperson for the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning as saying, "We don't really like calling it the super drunk law."

More accurately, it is an enhanced penalty for high blood alcohol content. What it entails is fines and other costs up to $10,000, mandatory alcohol treatment, alcohol interlocks, jail time and license suspension for 45 days.

Michigan MADD's executive director Homer Smith called it "a disappointing step in the right direction." They would have preferred using the .15 BAC instead of the .17 BAC the Michigan Legislature adopted.

Interlocks are mandatory for a first-time offender charged under the new "super drunk" level, but not for those charged with the .08 to .16 level. Organizations, such as MADD, would like the devices to be mandatory for all drunk driving convictions. An additional expense, the interlocks cost drivers $100, and monthly maintenance fees of $100.

Surprising Statistics

State records for 2009 indicate that had the law been in effect, 14,938 of the 45,893 drivers tested could have been charged as being over the .17 BAC "super drunk" level. This is one third of all drivers tested in Michigan.

There are questions of the effectiveness of the new standards for reducing drunk driving in Michigan. Defense attorneys were skeptical, as one noted, it is unlikely that the threat of enhanced punishment for a .17 BAC, rather than .14, is going to provide much deterrent effect.

Prosecutors had varying views, some seeing it as useful and differentiating the punishment in proportion to the severity of the charge, others didn't see it as likely to make much difference.

Clearly, given the enhanced penalties available to prosecutors, anyone charged under the high blood alcohol content rule needs to consult with an experienced DUI attorney in Michigan.

Article provided by Garton & Vogt, P.C.
Visit us at www.macomblawyers.com

ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

Drunk Driving Laws in Virginia

2010-12-04

Drunk Drivers in Virginia will face severe consequences if convicted, and the laws get tougher every year. From license suspension to jail time, a wide range of civil and criminal punishments are possible. For those who are repeat offenders, the penalties increase substantially. Prosecutors are under increasing pressure to remove drunk drivers from roadways, and will handle DUI cases aggressively. While the state has specific punishments in place, there are additional consequences for being convicted of a DUI. If you have been charged with a DUI, an experienced attorney ...

The Psychology of Investment Fraud

2010-12-04

If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. But scammers often use psychological tricks to influence potential investors to buy into fraudulent investment schemes. It is sometimes difficult to recognize the difference between a legitimate investment opportunity and a fraudulent scheme. Understanding a little of the psychology of fraud can help investors recognize it. Providing a Credible Source One of the most prevalent techniques used to convince people to invest is creating the impression of a credible source. According to the Financial Industry Regulatory ...

West Virginia Schools Get Warning from Federal Government about Bullying

2010-12-04

It's time for West Virginia schools to live up to their legal obligations and take action to stop bullying. This was the message sent by federal education officials to the state's K-12 schools and colleges in a recent letter. A federal government survey of West Virginia high school students found that 23 percent had been the victim of bullying in the last 12 months -- one of the highest percentages of high schoolers in the country. Federal anti-discrimination laws, including the 1964 Civil Rights Act, prohibit harassment based on race, religion, ethnicity, sex, color, ...

NYPD's Adoption of Iris Scanning Technology may Violate Civil Liberties says Top New York Lawyer David Perecman

2010-12-04

In a move questioned by the New York Civil Liberties Union and some of New York's top lawyers, the New York Police Department is now using machines to photograph and scan the irises of prisoners as they pass through New York Central Booking. The department claims that this new high-tech identification program is part of a failsafe measure meant to prevent escapes as suspects move through New York's complex and winding court system. Individuals deeply concerned with civil liberties and privacy, like New York top lawyer David Perecman, are uneasy with new regime of personal ...

NYPD's Adoption of Iris Scanning Technology May Violate Civil Liberties, Says Top New York Lawyer David Perecman

2010-12-04

New York Medical Malpractice Attorney David Perecman Reviews March of Dimes 2010 Premature Birth Report Card

2010-12-04

New York received a "D" grade on the March of Dimes 2010 Premature Birth report card released Wednesday. Every year, approximately 31,187 are born premature in New York State, according to the organization. Premature birth is the leading cause of death in newborns, and one of the leading causes of infant deaths. Babies who are born premature and survive are at greater risk for lifelong health problems including cerebral palsy, learning disabilities, intestinal problems, respiratory problems, blindness and deafness. "Whenever babies are born prematurely, doctors ...

Escalator Accident Causes New York Elevator Accident Attorney to Examine Frequency of Related Incidents

2010-12-04

Officials decided to close all 31 escalators at the Frank R. Lautenberg Secaucus Junction Station in New Jersey after an accident Sunday evening injured five people. Following a New York Jets game, fans were riding up a 25-foot-long escalator with it came to an abrupt stop. Some people who were on the escalator at the time lost their balance and fell. A man and a woman suffered head injuries, while the other three had knee and rib injuries. All were taken to local hospitals. According to an official, none of the escalator caused injuries were life-threatening. "What ...

Are We Licensing Teens to Drive Without Adequate Training?

2010-12-04

Even with driver's education courses and a year's worth of behind-the-wheel practice, a new study recently released by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety (FTS) indicates that many teens still do not have the skills necessary to safely drive in a number of road conditions. Despite that, about one-third of teens are still getting their drivers' licenses within one month of being legally eligible to do so, meaning that countless teen drivers hit the road each year without the ability to handle their vehicles properly. The FTS data, compiled as part of a research study ...

New Jersey Debates Oversight of Nurse Anesthetists

2010-12-04

A suggested revision to current New Jersey Department of Health and Human Services (DHSS) regulations now requiring nurse anesthetists to work in tandem with anesthesiologists could mean big changes for operating rooms all over the state. The change would allow these nurses to administer anesthesia without direct doctor oversight, as long as physicians could be reached in emergencies. The change would not be shocking for the medical community as a whole -- 30 states already let specially trained nurses administer anesthesia without supervision from physicians -- but ...

Toyota Recall: Have They Really Solved the Problem?

2010-12-04

A recent LA Times story highlights the latest development with cases involving the unintended acceleration of Toyota automobiles and giving rise to product injury claims. The story discusses a lawsuit filed in California alleging that Toyota failed to report incidents of sudden acceleration. Employees from dealerships are claimed to have either seen sudden acceleration in vehicles or duplicated it. The suit also alleges Toyota repurchased the vehicles and used confidentiality agreements to buy the customers silence. The lawsuit filing ran to over 1,100 pages and ...

AI risks overwriting history and the skills of historians have never been more important, leading academic outlines in new paper

The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology: Higher doses of semaglutide can safely enhance weight loss and improve health for adults living with obesity, two new clinical trials confirm

In Michigan, Super Drunk is Super Bad

ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES: