Michigan OWI Attorney

The first step in any Michigan DUI/OWI case or arrest will be the initial stop made by law enforcement. This occurs when a police officer notices or receives a report of a driver who is driving erratically or recklessly or who has broken a traffic law. The officer will pull the driver over to the side of the road and will ask for his or her license and registration. At this point, the officer will also be observing the driver for any signs that may indicate that he or she has been drinking and driving. This may include bloodshot eyes, the smell of alcohol on the driver's breath, slurred speech, open alcohol containers in the vehicle or similar indicators. Depending on what the officer observes and any statements the driver may make about whether he or she has been drinking, the officer may ask the driver to step out of the vehicle to perform field sobriety tests.

Field sobriety tests are the next step in a law enforcement officer's determination of whether a driver may be intoxicated or under the influence of a controlled substance. These gauge a driver's balance, coordination, ability to follow instructions and overall mental and physical abilities. Depending on how the driver performs these tests, the officer may or may not make an arrest for DUI. It is after the DUI arrest that the driver will be asked to submit to a breath test or blood test to determine his or her blood alcohol concentration.

Do you need a Michigan DUI lawyer from our firm?

The most important thing you can do after being pulled over and arrested for DUI/OWI is to consult with a Michigan criminal defense attorney. A Michigan DUI lawyer can talk to you about what occurred and can offer valuable guidance to help you make the right choices about your case, so contact a Michigan DUI attorney from our office today!