Michigan’s DUI Laws

In Michigan the principal drunk driving  charge is called operating while intoxicated.  The acronym that is used is “OWI”.  If you were given a ticket, it probably has these letters or this acronym written on it so as to notify you that you are charged with drunk driving. 

Other common acronyms include OWVI (operating while visibly impaired), OUI (operating under the influence), DUIL (driving under the influence of liquor), UBAL (unlawful bodily alcohol content) and OUIL (operating under the influence of liquor). 

In thinking about these possible drunk driving charges, it is helpful to understand that there are really four different and distinct alcohol related drunk driving theories or offenses in Michigan and two drugged driving theories or offenses. Of all the possible drunk driving crimes, OWI is the most serious offense. 

The prosecutor can prove OWI alcohol by showing either the common law OUIL (operating under the influence of alcohol) or the statutory UBAL (unlawful blood alcohol level).  The OUIL charge requires the observation evidence but not the chemical evidence, and the UBAL requires the chemical evidence but not the observation evidence. 

“Observation evidence” is the otherwise circumstantial evidence of your intoxication, and includes all the things observed by the officer, such as the driving, your behavior and appearance, and your performance on the field exercises. 

The “chemical evidence” is the breath blood or urine test results.  Of course .08 is the legal limit in Michigan, and according to the UBAL theory of drunk driving is unlawful to have .08 or more in your body at the time you are driving.

Keep in mind that just because your test result indicates a bodily alcohol content of .08 or more this DOES NOT necessarily prove that you were drunk or that you are guilty.  The prosecutor must also prove that the test result is accurate, reliable and precise. 

There are many reasons why, in your case, the prosecutor may not be able to prove the overall reliability of your test result.  If he or she cannot, then the jury MUST find you NOT GUILTY!  You should discuss possible reasons or defenses to the chemical evidence in your case.

Looked at somewhat differently it is also helpful to understand that in a typical drunk driving case, the prosecutor’s case will be made up of two separate parts, the circumstantial or “observation” testimony of the arresting officer, and the  chemical test evidence.  Each of these parts can be further broken down, and each part lends itself to one of the two “theories” of the crime charged. 

Said differently, if you are charged with drunk driving in Michigan, then you are charged with violating the law by operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated (OWI) because you were either OUIL or UBAL. 

Here is a chart to summarize what I’ve written about so far regarding the various drunk driving charges in Michigan;

  • Operating under the influence of intoxicating liquor – (OUIL) This is the “common law” theory of the offense, meaning the prosecutor must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that your ability to operate was substantially lessened by the consumption of alcohol.  A breath or blood test is not required for this theory.
  • Driving with an unlawful bodily alcohol level/content – (UBAL) This theory is proved if the prosecutor establishes that at the time you were driving you had a breath or blood alcohol level above the legal limit (.08).
  • Operating while impaired – (OWVI) This means your ability to operate was lessened to the point it would be noticed by another person.
  • Zero Tolerance –  Michigan has also enacted a “Zero Tolerance” law for people under the age of 21. Minors may not operate a motor vehicle with any bodily alcohol content, which is defined as .02 or above, or “any evidence of alcohol.”

Here is a summary of the penalties for drunk driving in Michigan.  It is best to discuss this issue with your lawyer to better understand what you are actually facing and if there have been any recent changes in the law:

  • A conviction or plea of guilty of OUIL or UBAL or OWVI (first offense), means a maximum sentence of up to 93 days in jail,  up to $300 for the OWVI or $100-$500.00 in fines for the OUIL/UBAL, plus the costs of prosecution, and up to 360 hours of community service.
  • A second DUI, OUIL or UBAC in Michigan increases the fines plus costs to $200.00 – $1,000.00, and imprisonment up to 1 year in jail.
  • A conviction or guilty plea to OWVI will result in a maximum sentence up to $300.00 in fines plus costs, up to 93 days in jail and up to 45 days of community service.
  • A third time conviction for drunk driving will result in a felony punishable by 1 to 5 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $5,000.00.

In Michigan, OWI can also be proved by showing, beyond a reasonable doubt that you either had a schedule one drug in your system at the time your were driving, or that you had any other type of drug in your system at the time you were driving, AND the drug either substantially lessened your ability to drive, or caused your driving ability to be lessened to the point that it was noticed by another person.

The schedule one drugs include things such as the commonly known ilicit drugs, such as marijuana and cocaine.  Michigan’s law for these unlawful drugs is “zero tolerance” meaning any amount is unlawful. 

Non-schedule one drugs can include nearly anything that impairs or intoxicates.  For this crime the law uses the following working definition of a drug: Any substance, which when taken into the human body, can impair the ability of the person to operate a vehicle safely.  Again, for these drugs the prosecutor must prove that the drug impacted the driving as explained above.

Here is the text of Michigan Statute addressing the offense of drunk driving, or at least the main portion of it:

257.625 Operating motor vehicle while intoxicated; operating motor vehicle when visibly impaired; penalties for causing death or serious impairment of a body function; operation of motor vehicle by person less than 21 years of age; requirements; controlled substances; costs; enhanced sentence; guilty plea or nolo contendere; establishment of prior conviction; special verdict; public record; burden of proving religious service or ceremony; ignition interlock device; “prior conviction” defined; violations arising out of same transaction.

Sec. 625.

(1) A person, whether licensed or not, shall not operate a vehicle upon a highway or other place open to the general public or generally accessible to motor vehicles, including an area designated for the parking of vehicles, within this state if the person is operating while intoxicated. As used in this section, “operating while intoxicated” means either of the following applies:

(a) The person is under the influence of alcoholic liquor, a controlled substance, or a combination of alcoholic liquor and a controlled substance.

(b) The person has 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, or, beginning October 1, 2013, the person has an alcohol content of 0.10 grams or more per 100 milliliters of blood, per 210 liters of breath, or per 67 milliliters of urine.

(2) The owner of a vehicle or a person in charge or in control of a vehicle shall not authorize or knowingly permit the vehicle to be operated upon a highway or other place open to the general public or generally accessible to motor vehicles, including an area designated for the parking of motor vehicles, within this state by a person if any of the following apply:

(a) The person is under the influence of alcoholic liquor, a controlled substance, or a combination of alcoholic liquor and a controlled substance.

(b) The person has 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 or, beginning October 1, 2013, the person has an alcohol content of 0.10 grams or more per 100 milliliters of blood, per 210 liters of breath, or per 67 milliliters of urine.

(c) The person’s ability to operate the motor vehicle is visibly impaired due to the consumption of alcoholic liquor, a controlled substance, or a combination of alcoholic liquor and a controlled substance.

(3) A person, whether licensed or not, shall not operate a vehicle upon a highway or other place open to the general public or generally accessible to motor vehicles, including an area designated for the parking of vehicles, within this state when, due to the consumption of alcoholic liquor, a controlled substance, or a combination of alcoholic liquor and a controlled substance, the person’s ability to operate the vehicle is visibly impaired. If a person is charged with violating subsection (1), a finding of guilty under this subsection may be rendered.

(4) A person, whether licensed or not, who operates a motor vehicle in violation of subsection (1), (3), or (8) and by the operation of that motor vehicle causes the death of another person is guilty of a crime as follows:

(a) Except as provided in subdivision (b), the person is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 15 years or a fine of not less than $2,500.00 or more than $10,000.00, or both. The judgment of sentence may impose the sanction permitted under section 625n. If the vehicle is not ordered forfeited under section 625n, the court shall order vehicle immobilization under section 904d in the judgment of sentence.

(b) If, at the time of the violation, the person is operating a motor vehicle in a manner proscribed under section 653a and causes the death of a police officer, firefighter, or other emergency response personnel, the person is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 20 years or a fine of not less than $2,500.00 or more than $10,000.00, or both. This subdivision applies regardless of whether the person is charged with the violation of section 653a. The judgment of sentence may impose the sanction permitted under section 625n. If the vehicle is not ordered forfeited under section 625n, the court shall order vehicle immobilization under section 904d in the judgment of sentence.

(5) A person, whether licensed or not, who operates a motor vehicle in violation of subsection (1), (3), or (8) and by the operation of that motor vehicle causes a serious impairment of a body function of another person is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 5 years or a fine of not less than $1,000.00 or more than $5,000.00, or both. The judgment of sentence may impose the sanction permitted under section 625n. If the vehicle is not ordered forfeited under section 625n, the court shall order vehicle immobilization under section 904d in the judgment of sentence.

(6) A person who is less than 21 years of age, whether licensed or not, shall not operate a vehicle upon a highway or other place open to the general public or generally accessible to motor vehicles, including an area designated for the parking of vehicles, within this state if the person has any bodily alcohol content. As used in this subsection, “any bodily alcohol content” means either of the following:

(a) An alcohol content of 0.02 grams or more but less than 0.08 grams per 100 milliliters of blood, per 210 liters of breath, or per 67 milliliters of urine, or, beginning October 1, 2013, the person has an alcohol content of 0.02 grams or more but less than 0.10 grams per 100 milliliters of blood, per 210 liters of breath, or per 67 milliliters of urine.

(b) Any presence of alcohol within a person’s body resulting from the consumption of alcoholic liquor, other than consumption of alcoholic liquor as a part of a generally recognized religious service or ceremony.

(7) A person, whether licensed or not, is subject to the following requirements:

(a) He or she shall not operate a vehicle in violation of subsection (1), (3), (4), (5), or (8) while another person who is less than 16 years of age is occupying the vehicle. A person who violates this subdivision is guilty of a crime punishable as follows:

(i) Except as provided in subparagraph (ii), a person who violates this subdivision is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be sentenced to pay a fine of not less than $200.00 or more than $1,000.00 and to 1 or more of the following:

(A) Imprisonment for not less than 5 days or more than 1 year. Not less than 48 hours of this imprisonment shall be served consecutively. This term of imprisonment shall not be suspended.

(B) Community service for not less than 30 days or more than 90 days.

(ii) If the violation occurs within 7 years of a prior conviction or after 2 or more prior convictions, regardless of the number of years that have elapsed since any prior conviction, a person who violates this subdivision is guilty of a felony and shall be sentenced to pay a fine of not less than $500.00 or more than $5,000.00 and to either of the following:

(A) Imprisonment under the jurisdiction of the department of corrections for not less than 1 year or more than 5 years.

(B) Probation with imprisonment in the county jail for not less than 30 days or more than 1 year and community service for not less than 60 days or more than 180 days. Not less than 48 hours of this imprisonment shall be served consecutively. This term of imprisonment shall not be suspended.

(b) He or she shall not operate a vehicle in violation of subsection (6) while another person who is less than 16 years of age is occupying the vehicle. A person who violates this subdivision is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable as follows:

(i) Except as provided in subparagraph (ii), a person who violates this subdivision may be sentenced to 1 or more of the following:

(A) Community service for not more than 60 days.

(B) A fine of not more than $500.00.

(C) Imprisonment for not more than 93 days.

(ii) If the violation occurs within 7 years of a prior conviction or after 2 or more prior convictions, regardless of the number of years that have elapsed since any prior conviction, a person who violates this subdivision shall be sentenced to pay a fine of not less than $200.00 or more than $1,000.00 and to 1 or more of the following:

(A) Imprisonment for not less than 5 days or more than 1 year. Not less than 48 hours of this imprisonment shall be served consecutively. This term of imprisonment shall not be suspended.

(B) Community service for not less than 30 days or more than 90 days.

(c) In the judgment of sentence under subdivision (a)(i) or (b)(i), the court may, unless the vehicle is ordered forfeited under section 625n, order vehicle immobilization as provided in section 904d. In the judgment of sentence under subdivision (a)(ii) or (b)(ii), the court shall, unless the vehicle is ordered forfeited under section 625n, order vehicle immobilization as provided in section 904d.

(d) This subsection does not prohibit a person from being charged with, convicted of, or punished for a violation of subsection (4) or (5) that is committed by the person while violating this subsection. However, points shall not be assessed under section 320a for both a violation of subsection (4) or (5) and a violation of this subsection for conduct arising out of the same transaction.

(8) A person, whether licensed or not, shall not operate a vehicle upon a highway or other place open to the general public or generally accessible to motor vehicles, including an area designated for the parking of vehicles, within this state if the person has in his or her body any amount of a controlled substance listed in schedule 1 under section 7212 of the public health code, 1978 PA 368, MCL 333.7212, or a rule promulgated under that section, or of a controlled substance described in section 7214(a)(iv) of the public health code, 1978 PA 368, MCL 333.7214.

(9) If a person is convicted of violating subsection (1) or (8), all of the following apply:

(a) Except as otherwise provided in subdivisions (b) and (c), the person is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by 1 or more of the following:

(i) Community service for not more than 360 hours.

(ii) Imprisonment for not more than 93 days.

(iii) A fine of not less than $100.00 or more than $500.00.

(b) If the violation occurs within 7 years of a prior conviction, the person shall be sentenced to pay a fine of not less than $200.00 or more than $1,000.00 and 1 or more of the following:

(i) Imprisonment for not less than 5 days or more than 1 year. Not less than 48 hours of the term of imprisonment imposed under this subparagraph shall be served consecutively.

(ii) Community service for not less than 30 days or more than 90 days.

(c) If the violation occurs after 2 or more prior convictions, regardless of the number of years that have elapsed since any prior conviction, the person is guilty of a felony and shall be sentenced to pay a fine of not less than $500.00 or more than $5,000.00 and to either of the following:

(i) Imprisonment under the jurisdiction of the department of corrections for not less than 1 year or more than 5 years.

(ii) Probation with imprisonment in the county jail for not less than 30 days or more than 1 year and community service for not less than 60 days or more than 180 days. Not less than 48 hours of the imprisonment imposed under this subparagraph shall be served consecutively.

(d) A term of imprisonment imposed under subdivision (b) or (c) shall not be suspended.

(e) In the judgment of sentence under subdivision (a), the court may order vehicle immobilization as provided in section 904d. In the judgment of sentence under subdivision (b) or (c), the court shall, unless the vehicle is ordered forfeited under section 625n, order vehicle immobilization as provided in section 904d.

(f) In the judgment of sentence under subdivision (b) or (c), the court may impose the sanction permitted under section 625n.

(10) A person who is convicted of violating subsection (2) is guilty of a crime as follows:

(a) Except as provided in subdivisions (b) and (c), a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 93 days or a fine of not less than $100.00 or more than $500.00, or both.

(b) If the person operating the motor vehicle violated subsection (4), a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 5 years or a fine of not less than $1,500.00 or more than $10,000.00, or both.

(c) If the person operating the motor vehicle violated subsection (5), a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 2 years or a fine of not less than $1,000.00 or more than $5,000.00, or both.

(11) If a person is convicted of violating subsection (3), all of the following apply:

(a) Except as otherwise provided in subdivisions (b) and (c), the person is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by 1 or more of the following:

(i) Community service for not more than 360 hours.

(ii) Imprisonment for not more than 93 days.

(iii) A fine of not more than $300.00.

(b) If the violation occurs within 7 years of 1 prior conviction, the person shall be sentenced to pay a fine of not less than $200.00 or more than $1,000.00, and 1 or more of the following:

(i) Imprisonment for not less than 5 days or more than 1 year. Not less than 48 hours of the term of imprisonment imposed under this subparagraph shall be served consecutively.

(ii) Community service for not less than 30 days or more than 90 days.

(c) If the violation occurs after 2 or more prior convictions, regardless of the number of years that have elapsed since any prior conviction, the person is guilty of a felony and shall be sentenced to pay a fine of not less than $500.00 or more than $5,000.00 and either of the following:

(i) Imprisonment under the jurisdiction of the department of corrections for not less than 1 year or more than 5 years.

(ii) Probation with imprisonment in the county jail for not less than 30 days or more than 1 year and community service for not less than 60 days or more than 180 days. Not less than 48 hours of the imprisonment imposed under this subparagraph shall be served consecutively.

(d) A term of imprisonment imposed under subdivision (b) or (c) shall not be suspended.

(e) In the judgment of sentence under subdivision (a), the court may order vehicle immobilization as provided in section 904d. In the judgment of sentence under subdivision (b) or (c), the court shall, unless the vehicle is ordered forfeited under section 625n, order vehicle immobilization as provided in section 904d.

(f) In the judgment of sentence under subdivision (b) or (c), the court may impose the sanction permitted under section 625n.

(12) If a person is convicted of violating subsection (6), all of the following apply:

(a) Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (b), the person is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by 1 or both of the following:

(i) Community service for not more than 360 hours.

(ii) A fine of not more than $250.00.

(b) If the violation occurs within 7 years of 1 or more prior convictions, the person may be sentenced to 1 or more of the following:

(i) Community service for not more than 60 days.

(ii) A fine of not more than $500.00.

(iii) Imprisonment for not more than 93 days.

(13) In addition to imposing the sanctions prescribed under this section, the court may order the person to pay the costs of the prosecution under the code of criminal procedure, 1927 PA 175, MCL 760.1 to 777.69.

(14) A person sentenced to perform community service under this section shall not receive compensation and shall reimburse the state or appropriate local unit of government for the cost of supervision incurred by the state or local unit of government as a result of the person’s activities in that service.

(15) If the prosecuting attorney intends to seek an enhanced sentence under this section or a sanction under section 625n based upon the defendant having 1 or more prior convictions, the prosecuting attorney shall include on the complaint and information, or an amended complaint and information, filed in district court, circuit court, municipal court, or family division of circuit court, a statement listing the defendant’s prior convictions.

(16) If a person is charged with a violation of subsection (1), (3), (4), (5), (7), or (8) or section 625m, the court shall not permit the defendant to enter a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to a charge of violating subsection (6) in exchange for dismissal of the original charge. This subsection does not prohibit the court from dismissing the charge upon the prosecuting attorney’s motion.

(17) A prior conviction shall be established at sentencing by 1 or more of the following:

(a) A copy of a judgment of conviction.

(b) An abstract of conviction.

(c) A transcript of a prior trial or a plea-taking or sentencing proceeding.

(d) A copy of a court register of actions.

(e) A copy of the defendant’s driving record.

(f) Information contained in a presentence report.

(g) An admission by the defendant.

(18) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (20), if a person is charged with operating a vehicle while under the influence of a controlled substance or a combination of alcoholic liquor and a controlled substance in violation of subsection (1) or a local ordinance substantially corresponding to subsection (1), the court shall require the jury to return a special verdict in the form of a written finding or, if the court convicts the person without a jury or accepts a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, the court shall make a finding as to whether the person was under the influence of a controlled substance or a combination of alcoholic liquor and a controlled substance at the time of the violation.

(19) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (20), if a person is charged with operating a vehicle while his or her ability to operate the vehicle was visibly impaired due to his or her consumption of a controlled substance or a combination of alcoholic liquor and a controlled substance in violation of subsection (3) or a local ordinance substantially corresponding to subsection (3), the court shall require the jury to return a special verdict in the form of a written finding or, if the court convicts the person without a jury or accepts a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, the court shall make a finding as to whether, due to the consumption of a controlled substance or a combination of alcoholic liquor and a controlled substance, the person’s ability to operate a motor vehicle was visibly impaired at the time of the violation.

(20) A special verdict described in subsections (18) and (19) is not required if a jury is instructed to make a finding solely as to either of the following:

(a) Whether the defendant was under the influence of a controlled substance or a combination of alcoholic liquor and a controlled substance at the time of the violation.

(b) Whether the defendant was visibly impaired due to his or her consumption of a controlled substance or a combination of alcoholic liquor and a controlled substance at the time of the violation.

(21) If a jury or court finds under subsection (18), (19), or (20) that the defendant operated a motor vehicle under the influence of or while impaired due to the consumption of a controlled substance or a combination of a controlled substance and an alcoholic liquor, the court shall do both of the following:

(a) Report the finding to the secretary of state.

(b) On a form or forms prescribed by the state court administrator, forward to the department of state police a record that specifies the penalties imposed by the court, including any term of imprisonment, and any sanction imposed under section 625n or 904d.

(22) Except as otherwise provided by law, a record described in subsection (21)(b) is a public record and the department of state police shall retain the information contained on that record for not less than 7 years.

(23) In a prosecution for a violation of subsection (6), the defendant bears the burden of proving that the consumption of alcoholic liquor was a part of a generally recognized religious service or ceremony by a preponderance of the evidence.

(24) The court may order as a condition of probation that a person convicted of violating subsection (1) or (8), or a local ordinance substantially corresponding to subsection (1) or (8), shall not operate a motor vehicle unless that vehicle is equipped with an ignition interlock device approved, certified, and installed as required under sections 625k and 625l.

(25) Subject to subsection (27), as used in this section, “prior conviction” means a conviction for any of the following, whether under a law of this state, a local ordinance substantially corresponding to a law of this state, a law of the United States substantially corresponding to a law of this state, or a law of another state substantially corresponding to a law of this state:

(a) Except as provided in subsection (26), a violation or attempted violation of any of the following:

(i) This section, except a violation of section 625(2), or a violation of any prior enactment of this section in which the defendant operated a vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating or alcoholic liquor or a controlled substance, or a combination of intoxicating or alcoholic liquor and a controlled substance, or while visibly impaired, or with an unlawful bodily alcohol content.

(ii) Section 625m.

(iii) Former section 625b.

(b) Negligent homicide, manslaughter, or murder resulting from the operation of a vehicle or an attempt to commit any of those crimes.

(26) Except for purposes of the enhancement described in subsection (12)(b), only 1 violation or attempted violation of subsection (6), a local ordinance substantially corresponding to subsection (6), or a law of another state substantially corresponding to subsection (6) may be used as a prior conviction.

(27) If 2 or more convictions described in subsection (25) are convictions for violations arising out of the same transaction, only 1 conviction shall be used to determine whether the person has a prior conviction.

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