Michigan has a number of separate but related charges for drivers who are impaired due to something they have ingested. These charges are to ensure that dangerous drivers don't slip through the system unpunished:
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Operating While Visibly Impaired (OWVI): Your inability to operate a motor vehicle was visible to the arresting officer, most likely due to the presence of alcohol or other drugs in your body. You don't need a BAC of 0.08 or above to be charged with OWVI.
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Operating While Intoxicated (OWI): Alcohol or drugs in your body substantially affected your ability so you could not operate a motor vehicle safely. OWI can also mean that―when tested in the field, at the police station, or at a hospital―your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was at or above 0.08%.
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Operating With Any Presence of a Schedule 1 Drug or Cocaine: Even if you don't appear intoxicated or impaired, if you have even a trace of these drugs in your blood (as determined by a chemical test of your blood, breath, or urine), you can be charged.
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Under Age 21 Operating with Any Bodily Alcohol Content: As a minor, you'll be charged if you have a BAC of 0.02 to 0.07 or any presence of alcohol other than that consumed at a generally recognized religious ceremony.
In Michigan you will need a qualified DUI ( DWI, OWI ) Attorney to represent your legal rights because Michigan Statues reference mandatory prosecution if you drive:
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With a BAC of 0.08% or more
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While impaired in any way
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With any presence in your body of a Schedule 1 drug or cocaine
And if
you're under 21, the law is
stricter. Minors aren't allowed to
buy, have in their possession, or
consume alcoholic beverages. If you
have any alcohol in your
vehicle―even unopened―on the road or
in a parking lot, you can be charged
with a misdemeanor. If you have a
BAC of 0.02 or greater, you'll also
be arrested.
Toledo
DUI defense attorney Dennis P. Strong, vigorously for the rights of
individuals charged with Driving Under The Influence - DUI -
Offenses (throughout Northeast Ohio & Southwest
Michigan) and other
types of Criminal Defense Cases. Contact Dennis P. Strong today
Toll Free: (866) 403-4300 or use our
online
submission form for a free and
confidential case evaluation.


Contact
Dennis P. Strong today