Michigan's "Super Drunk" Law: Higher BAC, More Penalties

A significant number of drunk driving convictions stem from incidents where a driver is more than twice the legal limit to drive.

2012-11-27

November 27, 2012 (Press-News.org) Michigan's "Super Drunk" Law: Higher BAC, More Penalties

Many drivers convicted of driving while intoxicated have a high blood alcohol concentration. Even just a few drinks in an hour can put a driver over the legal limit to drive, which is .08 percent in all 50 states. However, a significant number of drunk driving convictions stem from incidents where a driver is more than twice the legal limit to drive.

In an attempt to target such high BAC drivers, Michigan adopted a so-called "Super Drunk" law, which increases the fines and penalties associated with a DWI if the driver has a BAC of 0.17 or higher. A driver's BAC can be measured by breath, blood or urine tests.

Penalties for a Super Drunk Offense

Instead of the usual penalties, drivers convicted of a High BAC offense face:
-Up to 180 days in jail
-Up to a $700 fine
-Up to 360 hours of community service
-A one-year license suspension

These penalties are often double those of a driver convicted for a DWI with a BAC of .08 to .16. For example, the maximum jail time for a first-time DWI conviction below .17 is 93 days in jail.

Other factors can dramatically influence potential penalties. For example, if there are minor children in the car when the DWI arrest occurred, the driver can face child endangerment charges, which carries up to a year in jail.

Restricted Driving Privileges

It is possible for a driver convicted under Michigan's Super Drunk law to obtain a restricted license after an automatic 45-day license suspension. This requires the driver to use an ignition interlock device whenever driving in any car. An IID prevents a car from starting if the driver has any alcohol on his or her breath. While the vehicle is operational the driver must blow into the device at regular intervals to ensure the driver hasn't been drinking. The IID must remain in the vehicle for the length of the one-year suspension.

Installation of an IID, at the cost of the driver, gives the driver a restricted license. A restricted license allows a driver to operate a vehicle, but only for work purposes, drug and alcohol treatment programs, medical appointments, probation, community service and school.

Help With DWI Charges

It can be difficult in the wake of a DWI conviction to get to work, drive children to school and perform other necessary tasks. Michigan residents who are facing DWI charges should contact an experienced criminal defense attorney to discuss options on how best to mitigate potential penalties.

Article provided by Jason L. Jansma PLC
Visit us at http://www.jansmalaw.com

ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

Spinal Cord Injury Research Continuing

2012-11-27

Spinal Cord Injury Research Continuing Spinal cord research has made strides in recent years, good news to the 5.6 million paralyzed people currently living in America and the 12,000 new people hospitalized for spinal cord injury (SCI) every year. However, progress is being made in fits and starts, and new research continues to battle this devastating injury. Promising New Research Neuroscience 2012, the annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience, offered a variety of potential future solutions to SCI, from reducing pain in the injured patient to actually curing ...

New Study Shows Bedsores Linked to Patient Fatalities

2012-11-27

New study shows bedsores linked to patient fatalities When we come to the conclusion that we must turn over the care of a loved one to a nursing home, it is common for that difficult decision to be accompanied by fears about his or her continued well-being. One of the dangers associated with nursing home care is the development of bedsores, also referred to as pressure ulcers. Recently, a new study revealed that the consequences of these injuries can be far more serious than previously understood. Bedsores occur when the tissue and skin on an individual are injured, ...

Respond Intelligently to Debt Collector Harassment

2012-11-27

Respond Intelligently to Debt Collector Harassment Each year, millions of Americans find themselves in significant debt. Too often, debt brings with it not only constant worry about bills and finances, but also harassing phone calls from unscrupulous bill collectors. Fortunately, consumers do have rights and there are some basic steps people can take to protect themselves from creditor harassment. Make a Plan If debt collectors begin making harassing phone calls to your home, it is important to come up with a plan on how to address them. Designate one person in ...

How Oklahoma Courts Determine Child Custody

2012-11-27

How Oklahoma courts determine child custody If you are an Oklahoma parent going through a divorce, you may be worried about whether you or your spouse (or neither) is going to get custody of your child. The answer to this question is quite complex, as it involves a consideration of many factors. Like in many other states, Oklahoma courts make child custody decisions based on what it believes are in the "best interests of the child." There is no simple definition of this term, as it generally refers to the analysis that courts make when deciding what types ...

Estate Planning Issues for Same-Sex Couples in Maryland

2012-11-27

Estate Planning Issues for Same-Sex Couples in Maryland Many states across the U.S. have brought same-sex marriage to a vote in recent elections, bringing to light the plight of unmarried same-sex couples who nonetheless consider themselves a cohesive family. Maryland recently voted to recognize same-sex marriage, becoming the first state in the union to vote for same-sex marriage. While the issues surrounding same-sex marriage are myriad, one complication is estate planning. Many of the protections in place for married couples are not available to same-sex couples. ...

Feds Push for Mandatory Ignition Interlocks in All Maryland DUI Cases

2012-11-27

Feds Push for Mandatory Ignition Interlocks in All Maryland DUI Cases Maryland transportation safety advocates and other groups that favor tougher intoxicated driving laws may soon have a new tool in their arsenal: federal funding for states that require ignition interlock devices for all drivers convicted of driving under the influence -- even first-time offenders. Current Ignition Interlock Law in Maryland Under current Maryland law, ignition interlock devices are mandatory for drivers convicted of a second or subsequent DUI offense, but they generally are not ...

Football Revealing the Consequences of Youth Head Injuries

2012-11-27

Football Revealing the Consequences of Youth Head Injuries Football is widely considered the most popular sport in America. From the Super Bowl to Friday Night Lights, football plays a large role for many families and communities. Youth football is as popular as ever; USA Football estimates almost 3 million kids under age 14 play tackle football. That number hasn't dropped in the last half-dozen years. But as a contact-heavy sport, legitimate concerns exist regarding brain injuries caused by tackling. The science on brain injuries and their effects have greatly increased ...

Dog Bites and Liability in Massachusetts

2012-11-27

Dog Bites and Liability in Massachusetts Animal control officers in Dennis, Massachusetts, reported an unprecedented uptick in dog bites and other animal attacks recently. Members of the Cape Cod community suffered 13 animal bites in just two months in the summer of 2012, with nine occurring in July alone, Wicked Local Dennis reported. A veteran animal control officer said she had never before witnessed so many bites in such a short period. Preventing Dog Bites The primary responsibility for preventing dog bites and other animal attacks lies with the person who ...

Community Efforts, FMCSA Regulations Help Mitigate Truck Crashes

2012-11-27

Community efforts, FMCSA regulations help mitigate truck crashes Commercial vehicles are probably the most dangerous vehicles traversing the roadways today. An 18-wheeler can carry a maximum weight of 80,000 fully loaded. It's no wonder communities and policing authorities are cracking down on commercial truck drivers in order to prevent unnecessary truck accidents. Community efforts Community efforts all across the nation have been launched to help improve truck safety and mitigate injuries and fatalities caused by these massive vehicles. Just last month, Operation ...

All Eyes on Texas 130 -- Will Risks Materialize at 85 MPH?

2012-11-27

All eyes on Texas 130 -- will risks materialize at 85 mph? The Texas Department of Transportation recently opened a new stretch of highway connecting San Antonio and Austin. With a speed limit of 85 miles per hour, the new road has the distinction of having the highest posted speed limit of any road in the United States. Built to alleviate traffic congestion between Austin and San Antonio, the 41-mile stretch of Texas 130 has a toll of around 15 cents per mile. It is the state's first public-private toll road, and toll proceeds will be shared between the state and ...

Michigan's "Super Drunk" Law: Higher BAC, More Penalties

ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES: