SERVING BURTON, MI & SURROUNDING AREAS
Michigan’s drunk driving laws move fast, with strict deadlines that can impact your license within days of an arrest. Protect your freedom and your future with strategic legal defense.
Consultations are confidential and private.
At the Law Office of Patrick L. Chatterton, we know that an OWI charge is a race against time. We provide the experience and urgency needed to safeguard your rights.
With over 20 years of experience, Attorney Chatterton understands how to dismantle the prosecution's evidence, from breathalyzer calibration logs to police procedure errors.
An arrest is overwhelming. We explain the "77-day rule" and the immediate license implications so you always know where you stand and what to expect next.
Beyond the courtroom, we fight for your right to drive. We help you navigate the Secretary of State's requirements for restricted licenses and ignition interlock devices.
We don't just wait for a plea deal. We proactively challenge the validity of the traffic stop and the accuracy of chemical tests to reach the most favorable outcome possible.
The state of Michigan has consistently increased penalties on driving while under the influence of alcohol or other substance throughout the years. It is important that if you find yourself charged with Operating While Impaired [OWI] you have an experienced criminal defense attorney working with you in order to ensure that your rights are preserved. Attorney Patrick Chatterton has the knowledge and understanding to help his clients navigate these serious charges.
In Michigan, your drunk driving case will be decided by the court within 77 days after your arrest. This means you need to work quickly in order to have a fair hearing. It is important to contact your attorney immediately so that your attorney will be able to do his best to represent you in court.
“We give you the tools and the defense strategy to challenge both the criminal charges and the administrative license sanctions simultaneously.”
Michigan’s drunk driving laws carry stiff penalties. Even those drivers who are convicted for the first time will receive a mandatory six-month driver license suspension. Attorney Chatterton understands that OWI charges can change his clients’ lives. He explains the procedures and the consequences so that his clients are aware of their situation and works with them in order to reach a favorable outcome.
While many charges are misdemeanors, more severe offenses are felonies, which result in a minimum of one year in prison as well as a felony criminal record. These include:
In Michigan, a Preliminary Breath Test [PBT] may be given by a police officer. This test may be refused, but refusal can incur a civil infraction which carries a fine of up to $150 plus court costs. However, a refusal to take a PBT does not end the situation. Every driver in Michigan is considered to have given consent to a chemical test to determine Bodily Alcohol Content [BAC]. Refusal of this test incurs consequences which are separate from any convictions that result from the traffic stop. A hearing may be held, and if the officer proves his case, the results include:
Because the consequences are so high, it is imperative that a skilled, knowledgeable attorney represent those who are charged with OWI. Attorney Chatterton has the depth of understanding and experience with OWI cases necessary in order to safeguard his clients’ rights and work toward the most favorable outcome. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
Michigan Operating While Intoxicated [OWI] penalties include:
For those who have had at least one previous conviction for OWI, the sanctions are more severe. The courts will hand down sentences that include:
