Operating While Visibly Impaired is a charge similar to OWI, but one that does not require proof of illegal blood alcohol content to secure conviction. OWVI charges in Michigan rely on police opinion and observations, and even if your blood alcohol content was below 0.08%, you could face OWVI charges if a police officer accuses you of being visibly impaired. In OWVI cases, the prosecution must prove that you were impaired, which makes it critical to work with an experienced criminal defense lawyer who can defend against damaging accusations. Grabel & Associates is recognized as a OWVI defense law firm in Michigan and our lawyers will do everything they can to prove you did not operate a motor vehicle while intoxicated.
While OWVI charges are not as serious as OWI charges, the potential penalties can still be life-changing, even for a first offense. Our skilled drunk driving defense lawyers will work with you to protect your rights and fight wrongful conviction in your OWVI case. We understand that an OWVI charge can not only be stressful, but confusing, as you face drunk driving penalties even though your blood alcohol content was below the legal limit. In some cases, OWVI is offered as a lesser charge to OWI, and while it may seem like a beneficial proposition, it is important to always consult a lawyer before making any legal decisions. Our attorneys are available 24/7 to analyze your case and begin developing an effective Michigan criminal defense strategy.
When you are charged with OWVI, the prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that your ability to safely operate a motor vehicle was visibly impaired due to alcohol or drug use. Your level of intoxication is determined largely by police observations, field sobriety tests, and your blood alcohol content, and working with a lawyer in the investigative stages of your case is crucial to obtaining a great case result.
While the legal blood alcohol content (BAC) limit in Michigan is 0.08%, driving with a blood alcohol content below that limit could still result in criminal charges. Even if you are found to not be guilty of an OWI, you could still be convicted of OWVI. Like any drunk driving charge, OWVI conviction will result in serious criminal and administrative penalties, and a defense lawyer will work to guide you through the criminal justice process to a great case outcome.
If you are convicted of a first offense OWVI charge in Michigan, you could face up to 93 days in jail. In addition, you could be forced to pay a fine of up to $300, along with driver responsibility fees that could total in the thousands. Your vehicle could be immobilized, and in some cases sentences can include up to 360 hours of community service.
In addition, you will have a restricted driver’s license for 90 days, and 4 points will be added to your Michigan DL. Although you will be able to get to work, drug or alcohol treatment, court-ordered service, and other locations, you will not enjoy the freedom to drive wherever you want.
Grabel & Associates is a law firm dedicated to justice in DUI, OWI, OWVI, and all other drunk driving cases. If you have been accused of driving while visibly impaired in Michigan, contact our criminal defense attorneys now. No matter what the details of your case, our attorneys are here to help and will stand with you in your fight for justice.
Grabel & Associates is committed to justice in OWVI cases, and we understand how easily wrongful conviction can result after Operating While Visibly Intoxicated charges. When police rely on eyewitness observation, traffic violations, and unreliable field sobriety tests, there is often a wide range of evidence that can be challenged, and only by working with a talented attorney can you ensure your interests are properly protected.
Our lawyers will investigate every detail of your case, and look at any hidden aspects of your investigation or arrest that could help you achieve an acquittal, case dismissal, or reduced sentence. Our criminal defense strategies have been proven and our experienced lawyers have been helping clients fight OWVI conviction for over a decade. Our team combines for over 100 years of legal experience, and we know how to help you achieve the best possible results in criminal cases.