Ann Arbor DUI Lawyer

A DUI is oftentimes a person’s first real run-in with the police. Nobody starts their evening thinking or planning that they are going to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, but a seemingly harmless night out in Ann Arbor can end up with you in Washtenaw County Jail searching for answers. The punishment for a DUI in Ann Arbor can range from jail, probation, fines, community service, required drug and alcohol testing, required attendance in AA/NA, and can also lead to some sort of short or long-term substance abuse treatment. Did you know that a DUI can also suspend your driver’s license for 30 days and add 6 points to your driver’s record? A DUI truly is a unique type of crime that is as scientifically complex as they come. The nature behind a DUI is precisely why a call to Grabel & Associates should be your next move. A proper defense requires an experienced Ann Arboer DUI lawyer who understands the science behind this charge and knows how to advance your case properly. Our DUI attorneys in Ann Arbor have over 100 years of combined experience in successfully defended DUI cases in the State of Michigan in our Ann Arbor office conveniently located here.

Our Attorneys Defending You Against an Ann Arbor DUI Charge

At Grabel & Associates we realize that winning your case doesn’t only happen at trial. The complexity and scientific nature of a DUI case require a proper defense to include asking a lot of pre-trial questions to see if the prosecution has the foundational blocks to be pursuing these charges at all.

Some of these questions include:

• Did the officer have a legal right to stop you?
• What was the basis the officer asked you to step out of your vehicle?
• Were field sobriety tests administered properly?
• Were field sobriety tests “scored” properly?
• Was the preliminary breath test device working properly?
• Did the officer have a legal right to arrest you?
• Was the Datamaster (the breath test device at the police station) working properly?
• Was there a blood draw?
• Did the police have a proper warrant to draw your blood?
• Where is the police video?
• Did the officer act appropriately within the law?

In trying to answer these questions a strong DUI defense lawyer may have to file multiple pre-trial motions to be argued in front of a judge and the ruling in these motions could result in a better deal for you or your case being dismissed altogether.

If a successful outcome cannot be had at pre-trial then the Ann Arbor DUI lawyers at Grabel & Associates are ready to give the best defense possible at trial. This would include a detailed and tailored strategy that would be specific to your case. The prosecution’s case will be attacked and tested from every possible angle. Our expert witnesses are cross-examination tested and will stand strong in front of the prosecution, judge, and jury with their knowledge of the science involved.

Our expertise includes in-depth research, issue-focused writing, and the latest in science-based defense techniques related to OWI defense. Our attorneys have successfully defended thousands of cases statewide and in Ann Arbor. At Grabel & Associates we will put that experience to work for you immediately.

What Are The Different Types Of DUI Charges In Ann Arbor?

A DUI in Ann Arbor is generally a misdemeanor unless there are significant injuries, death, or you have two previous DUI related convictions. Note: Most technically a DUI is actually called an “OWI” or Operating While Intoxicated.

Misdemeanor DUI/OWI Charges

• DUI/OWI First Offense: 93-day maximum
• DUI/OWI Second Offense: Minimum 5 days jail up to 1 year maximum
• DUI/OWI High BAC (aka Super Drunk): 180-day maximum
• Operating While Visibly Impaired (OWVI): 93-day maximum

Felony DUI/OWI

• DUI 3rd or Subsequent Offense: 5-year maximum
• DUI resulting in the serious impairment of a body function of another person: 5-year maximum
• DUI resulting in the death of another person: 15-year maximum
• DUI while another person who is less than 16 years old is present in the vehicle: 5-year maximum

To be properly convicted of any DUI/OWI charge a Prosecutor must prove the following:

1. You have to be “operating” a vehicle. Operating generally means driving, but “operating” can also be as simple as sitting in the driver’s seat of a parked vehicle with the vehicle turned on. The legal definition for “operating” is very broad. If you in any way are able to exert some level of control over the vehicle you are likely “operating” the vehicle under this definition.
2. You have to be operating that vehicle while intoxicated by either alcohol, some controlled substance (drugs), or some other intoxicating substance.

In the case of every DUI style charge, you are deemed intoxicated if your blood alcohol content (BAC) is 0.08 or above. More technically that means that you have 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. The level necessary for Impairment for an OWVI charge is anywhere between 0.02-0.08 grams per 100 milliliters of blood, per 210 liters of breath, or per 67 milliliters of urine.

Did you know that DUI offenses CANNOT be expunged? Traffic offenses, along with capital crimes (crimes with a maximum of life in prison) and most types of Criminal Sexual Conduct are crimes that are not eligible to be removed from your criminal record. Once it’s there, it’s not coming off, ever. Take your best shot with Grabel & Associates behind you.

One you know what type of DUI charge is alleged, the next important thing to know is what court(s) you are required to appear in.

Know Your Court in Ann Arbor

The great city of Ann Arbor and surrounding cities are all within Washtenaw County. All misdemeanor cases in Washtenaw County are handled at the District Court level according to their location. Felony cases start at the District Court level and end up at the Circuit Court if there is enough probable cause shown that a crime was committed and that accused committed it. The first stop (after arraignment) for any criminal case in the Ann Arbor area whether it is a misdemeanor or felony is in District Court.

The 15th District Court in Ann Arbor is also home to Sobriety Court. This is a specialized court that is usually reserved for repeat offenders. Being sentenced to probation under Sobriety Court supervision can help reduce punishment greatly (i.e. avoiding jail time) and has led many people achieving their goals of sobriety. This court is not for everyone, but it can also be the turning point in someone’s life.

Contact Us Now

We are not a general practice law firm. At Grabel & Associates we lead the fight for justice from the front, and we do it by specifically focusing on the area of criminal defense. It’s all we do, and we do it best. If you or someone you love is facing a DUI in the Ann Arbor area, then give us a call at (734) 845-4330 or contact us online. We are located at 2500 Packard St. #106 between E Stadium Blvd. and E Eisenhower Pkwy.