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DUI / OWI Defense Attorney | Lansing, MI | Oakes Law Group
OWI

DUI / OWIDefense

One bad night shouldn't define your life. We challenge the stop, the test, the procedure — and protect your license, insurance, and clean record.

Don't Talk · Call The Mouthpiece
DUI / OWI Defense
Free Consultation
Available 24/7 · 888-886-5711
Don't Talk · Call The Mouthpiece
DUI / OWI Defense
Free Consultation
Available 24/7 · 888-886-5711
Practice Area

Save Your License. Save Your Future.

After an OWI/DUI arrest it can feel like everything is falling in at once. The traffic stop, the breath test, the paperwork, the looming court date, and the panic about losing your license. Don't worry — we've got you.

In Michigan, OWI (Operating While Intoxicated) cases are won and lost on details: Was the traffic stop legal? Was the field sobriety test properly administered? Was the breath or blood test calibrated and chain-of-custody documented? Even one procedural mistake by police or the lab can mean suppressed evidence, reduced charges, or a complete dismissal.

We've handled hundreds of OWI cases across Michigan. We know what to look for, what motions to file, and how to fight for your license restoration. If you've been charged, you need to call us before your first court date.

OWI Charges We Defend

Every OWI Charge.

Michigan's OWI laws are layered — and a single arrest can come with multiple charges. We defend every kind of impaired-driving allegation in every Michigan court.

— 01

First-Offense OWI

Up to 93 days jail, $500 fine, license suspension, and a permanent record.

— 02

Second-Offense OWI

Mandatory jail, 1-year license revocation, vehicle immobilization, and ignition interlock.

— 03

Third-Offense OWI

Felony charges with up to 5 years in prison. Lifetime consequences.

— 04

High-BAC ('Super Drunk')

BAC of 0.17 or higher — double the standard fines and harsher penalties.

— 05

OWI w/ Minor

Operating while intoxicated with a child under 16 in the vehicle. Felony exposure.

— 06

OWVI

Operating While Visibly Impaired — a lesser charge we often negotiate first-OWI cases down to.

— 07

OUID (Drugs)

Operating Under the Influence of Drugs — including marijuana and prescription medications.

— 08

Boating & Snowmobile OWI

Yes, you can get an OWI on a boat, snowmobile, or ORV. We defend those too.

— 09

Implied Consent Refusal

Refused the breath test? You face automatic 1-year suspension — but it's fightable.

The First 24 Hours

Your Next Move Matters.

OWI cases involve TWO separate proceedings — criminal court AND the Michigan Secretary of State. Both have deadlines. Both can take your license.

✓ Do This

Smart Moves

  • Call 888-886-5711 before your arraignment.
  • Request a Secretary of State hearing within 14 days of arrest.
  • Document the stop — what officers said, did, observed.
  • Save your paperwork. Tickets, breath results, ALR notice — all critical.
  • Consider voluntary alcohol education — it can help mitigate sentencing.
✗ Avoid This

Costly Mistakes

  • Don't admit to drinking — even 'just one beer' becomes evidence.
  • Don't plead guilty at arraignment without an attorney.
  • Don't miss the 14-day SOS deadline. You lose hearing rights.
  • Don't assume your breath test was accurate. Machines fail.
  • Don't post about the arrest on social media — ever.
What's At Stake

OWI Consequences.

🚗
License Suspension

30-day hard suspension + 150 days restricted on a first offense alone.

$
Heavy Fines

Court fines, driver responsibility fees, and insurance hikes for years.

Jail Time

Up to 93 days on a first OWI; mandatory jail for repeat offenses.

📋
Criminal Record

An OWI conviction in Michigan cannot currently be expunged.

How We Defend You

From Call To Closing Argument.

Every case is different — but every client follows the same straightforward path. No mystery. No legalese. Just clarity from day one.

01

Free Consult

Call 888-886-5711 — bring your paperwork and we'll evaluate the stop, the tests, and your options.

02

Challenge Evidence

Stop legality, FST administration, breath machine calibration, blood chain of custody.

03

Court Strategy

Motions to suppress, plea negotiation to lesser charges like OWVI or impaired driving.

04

License Defense

Parallel battle at the Secretary of State to keep you driving.

Common Questions

Got Questions?

What's the difference between DUI and OWI in Michigan? +
Michigan technically uses OWI (Operating While Intoxicated) as the legal term, but most people still call it a DUI. They mean the same thing: driving with a BAC of 0.08 or above, or while otherwise impaired.
Will I lose my license after an OWI arrest? +
On a first offense, Michigan imposes a 30-day hard suspension followed by 150 days of restricted driving. You can fight this — but you only have 14 days from arrest to request a Secretary of State implied-consent hearing if you refused the breath test. Call us immediately after an arrest.
Can I beat a breath test or blood test? +
Yes — these tests aren't infallible. Breath machines must be calibrated, operated correctly, and meet legal standards. Blood tests require strict chain-of-custody documentation. We've gotten test results thrown out — and cases dismissed — based on these challenges.
What is 'Super Drunk' (High BAC) in Michigan? +
A BAC of 0.17 or higher triggers Michigan's enhanced 'High BAC' penalties: up to $700 fine, 180 days jail, 1-year license suspension, and mandatory alcohol treatment. These cases are aggressively prosecuted — and need aggressive defense.
Can an OWI conviction be expunged? +
Currently, no. Michigan does not allow OWI convictions to be expunged from your criminal record. That's exactly why fighting the conviction matters so much — once it's on your record, it stays.
OWI Defense · 24/7

Save Your License Today.

Call The Mouthpiece — 24/7
888-886-5711

You have 14 days to request a Secretary of State hearing after an OWI arrest. Don't miss the deadline. Call now for a free consultation.