Defense Attorney with a Track Record of Winning in OWI Cases
Prosecutors in Michigan are notorious for their harsh and unyielding treatment of defendants charged with drunk driving. It takes a savvy, experienced, and respected lawyer to obtain the most favorable outcome.
Experienced Drunk Driving Defense Lawyers
Driving under the influence is serious anywhere in the country. Still, you’ll need an experienced drunk driving attorney when you drive after drinking in Michigan and face OWI or DUI charges.
Judges in Michigan don’t view OWIs or DUIs lightly, so it may not matter whether this is your first offense. You should take the matter as seriously as the judge will. We aren’t afraid to win and will work tirelessly to get an acquittal or reduced charges. If a plea bargain is accepted, no stone will be left unturned in our effort to achieve a sentence that will not upend your life. The Defense Team with LEWIS & DICKSTEIN, P.L.L.C., are the criminal defense attorneys to turn to when your record and reputation are on the line.
The Best Drunk Driving Attorneys in Michigan will Fight for a Win!
A drunk or drugged driving charge can be challenging to deal with, and you shouldn’t trust your fate to a discount or general practice attorney. Most defense lawyers do not understand how to defend an Operating While Intoxicated charge or any driving offense involving alcohol or controlled substances. The effective defenses available are highly complex and tend to be scientific, medical, or constitutional. A lawyer who has not spent their career fighting these cases cannot be as effective as a lawyer who has maintained a practice dedicated to defending against these charges.
“Is a lawyer with an office near the court better?”
It is a common misconception that a lawyer’s office must be close to a court to achieve extraordinary results on an OWI charge. You would want to hire an attorney familiar with the judge presiding over your case and the prosecutor; however, the physical address of the lawyer’s office is not important. Lawyers who are known to achieve the best results are the ones who provide the most aggressive, intelligent, and effective representation. Judges and prosecutors are more concerned about the quality of a defense lawyer than the distance they drive to court. A Michigan drunk driving attorney with a reputation for winning will always get a better deal, sentence, and outcome. A lawyer too connected or entwined with court staff will likely be more worried about upsetting the judge or prosecutor than fighting to achieve the best deal possible for the client. Your decision to hire a lawyer should focus on the lawyer’s reputation and track record and not some claim that they are buddies with local law enforcement. A lawyer claiming to have a special connection with a judge or their staff is unethical and untruthful. A dishonest attorney like that will likely sell you out rather than fight for you.
Do Your Due Diligence When Evaluating an Attorney
Your life and reputation are important, and you should treat any decision to hire a lawyer accordingly. Take the time to research an attorney and have an in-person meeting before making a choice. Meeting at least two lawyers for comparison’s sake is usually a good idea. Things you can consider in your decision are the lawyer’s reputation, history of success in court, knowledge of the offense and available defenses, ability to communicate, and motivation for taking your case. Every attorney is in practice to make a living; however, the lawyer must be motivated to get the best result for you and not just make money. Does the lawyer have a staff to assist in your defense? If not, you must question whether the attorney has the resources to provide the best defense. Does the lawyer work and collaborate with other lawyers specializing in criminal defense? Working with a team of attorneys is always better than working with a solo practitioner. You know the old saying, “Two minds are better than one.” Before paying a retainer, you should be sure that you trust the attorney and believe they have your best interests at heart. There are several drunk driving attorneys in Michigan; however, few will do what it takes to get you the best possible outcome.
“What are the defenses to drug and alcohol driving offenses?”
The defenses to OWI, DUI, OWPD, and other related offenses can be technical and require a deep and comprehensive knowledge of various areas of the law. The five potential types of defenses are factual, legal, medical, scientific, and constitutional. An attorney lacking expertise in these areas means the client cannot get the best defense. The defense used by the lawyer does not have to result in a dismissal or acquittal to be of value. A successful defense lawyer will use all available defenses to weaken the prosecutor’s case. The defense attorney increases their bargaining power if the prosecutor’s case is weakened. Weakening any aspect of the prosecutor’s evidence will make the government more inclined to offer an extraordinary deal. A Michigan drunk driving defense attorney’s goal must be to achieve a dismissal, but dismissals on OWI cases are rare. In Michigan, it takes intelligent and tenacious work to get a superior plea bargain or sentence for any alcohol or drug-related driving offense.
Top Drunk Driving Attorneys Defending Alcohol and Drug-Related Driving Offenses
You might think a DUI is a simple misdemeanor and not mind having it on your record. However, operating a vehicle while intoxicated can result in jail, probation, extensive fines and costs, damaged reputation, lost driving privileges, loss of employment, deportation, harassment by patrol officers, loss of custody, loss of firearm rights, and much more. The collateral consequences of an alcohol or drug-related driving conviction can be worse than jail and probation. A felony drunk driving can result in years in prison.
No one intends to harm another person when they have a few drinks and get behind the wheel. Yet it does happen, and lives are needlessly lost. Making an example of an OWI defendant in court is intended to deter others from endangering their lives and the lives of others. Entrusting your case to the highly experienced, successful Michigan drunk driving attorneys with LEWIS & DICKSTEIN, P.L.L.C. gives you the advantage of our experience and skill in achieving the best possible outcome. Regardless of whether you’ve been wrongly accused or if you acknowledge that the charges are justified, call us for a free consultation. We will find a way to help you.
Call us today at (248) 263-6800 for a free consultation or complete an online Request for Assistance Form. We will contact you promptly and find a way to help you.
We will find a way to help you and, most importantly,
we are not afraid to win!
Drunk Driving Statistics in Michigan
According to the Michigan State Police Annual Drunk Driving Audit for 2020, there were 25,996 alcohol-related crashes in Michigan, resulting in 9,666 injuries and 246 fatalities. Additionally, there were 29,394 arrests for drunk or drugged driving offenses, including OWI.
It’s important to note that the number of OWI prosecutions can vary depending on various factors, including law enforcement efforts, public awareness campaigns, and changes in state laws. Additionally, not all drunk or drugged driving incidents result in an OWI charge, as other charges, such as reckless driving or endangerment, may also be applicable.
A Michigan Drunk Driving Attorney’s View on the Intoxilyzer 9000 Breath Test Machine
The Intoxilyzer 9000 breath test machine is used by law enforcement agencies across the United States to measure the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of drivers suspected of driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol. In recent years, the device has become the subject of controversy and scrutiny due to issues related to its accuracy and reliability.
One of the most newsworthy issues related to Michigan’s former breathalyzer machine, the Datamaster, was a class-action lawsuit filed in 2017 by several DUI defendants in Minnesota. The lawsuit alleged that the machine produced inaccurate and unreliable results, which led to false arrests and convictions. The case was eventually settled for $2.1 million, and several law enforcement agencies in Minnesota agreed to replace their Datamaster machines with newer models.
In 2018, another controversy arose when it was discovered that some law enforcement agencies in Michigan had been improperly calibrating their Datamaster machines, potentially leading to inaccurate BAC readings. The issue led to the dismissal of thousands of DUI cases in the state and prompted an investigation by the Michigan State Police.
More recently, in 2021, the Datamaster breath test machine made headlines again when it was revealed that the manufacturer, Intoximeters, had been using outdated software in some of its devices. The software issue could potentially lead to inaccurate BAC readings and has prompted some states to take action to ensure that their Datamaster machines are correctly calibrated and up-to-date.
Overall, the Datamaster breath test machine’s accuracy and reliability continue to be newsworthy in the United States as DUI defendants and law enforcement agencies grapple with questions about the device’s effectiveness and potential flaws. As the technology continues to evolve, it will be necessary for policymakers and law enforcement officials to stay abreast of the latest developments and ensure that the rights of defendants are protected.
Because of the many issues with the Datamaster, Michigan now uses the Intoxilyzer 9000.
