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Michigan Drunk Driving Fines

If you are one of the many Michigan drivers who are arrested for drunk driving each year, it is important to understand what you are up against. If you are found guilty of operating while impaired (OWI) or a similar offense, you may not only lose your driver’s license and spend time in jail, but also face unlimited financial hardship. In addition to paying thousands of dollars in Michigan drunk driving fees, your conviction can also cost you countless dollars in higher auto insurance rates and missed opportunities.

Due to Michigan’s strict OWI penalties, even first-time offenders may be ordered to pay up to $500 in penalties. If you are convicted of a 2nd OWI offense within a seven-year period, that amount increases to $1,000, while a 3rd offense can cost you as much as $5,000 in fees. You may also face additional fines if you were driving with an unlawful blood alcohol content (BAC).

The national BAC limit for drivers 21 and over is 0.08%—anyone who is caught operating a vehicle at or above this amount is legally considered impaired. Under Michigan law, violating this BAC limit is a crime in and of itself, which means you could be charged separately for driving with an unlawful blood alcohol level (UBAL). You could even be charged with UBAL in addition to OWI, and ordered to pay separate fines for each offense.

It is also important to know that, if you are under the age of 21, Michigan’s Zero Tolerance Laws prohibit you from operating a vehicle with a 0.02% or higher BAC. Individuals who are convicted of violating this law may be fined anywhere from $100 to $500 in fees.

You can expect to pay even more in fines and fees if you were involved in an auto accident: up to $5,000 if another driver was seriously injured and as much as $10,000 if your impairment caused someone’s death. These fines could even apply if you were not driving, but allowed someone under the influence of alcohol to operate a vehicle.

While an OWI can certainly cost you thousands of dollars in fines, these upfront expenses often pale in comparison to the long-term prices of a conviction. You may have to pay two to three times for auto insurance coverage and those inflated rates may remain in place for years to come. Plus, since your conviction will be forever documented on your criminal record, it could cost you countless dollars in missed opportunities—jeopardizing your eligibility for many jobs, housing options, and educational programs.

Fortunately, the Barone Defense Firm has helped thousands of Michigan residents avoid the numerous expenses that follow a drunk driving conviction. Add your name to the list—contact our attorneys today for your free case evaluation. With our variety of flexible payment options, the question isn’t whether you can afford to have legal representation, but whether you can afford not to.