Ordinary law-abiding people who have never been a party to a criminal proceeding can suddenly find themselves thrown into the world of handcuffs, Breathalyzers and jail cells. Each year the drunk driving laws become stricter. In Michigan, in October of 1999, many significant changes will be made to its drunk driving laws.
Drunk driving cases are usually processed in a relatively short time. In Michigan arraignments are held within 14 days, a pre-trial conference (in Midland County with the judge and prosecutor in attendance) within 35 days and if a trial is necessary, it is usually held within 77 days.
The penalty for a drunk driving ticket will largely be determined by one’s prior record. You may obtain a copy of your driving record by contacting:
Michigan Department of State
Records Look-Up Unit Department
7064 Crowner Drive
Lansing, MI 48918-1540
Phone (517) 322-1624
Fax (517) 322-1181
Volumes have been written on the what happens after that awful moment when a ticket for drunk driving is issued. In October of 1999, Michigan law increased the penalties for drunk driving. Some of the new penalties include:
For more information on the procedure that drunk driving cases go through see the discussion of criminal process.