Increased Police Patrols Looking for Drunk Drivers this St. Patrick’s Day

Mark Mandell, Esq.

St. Patrick’s Day is just around the corner and is undoubtedly one of the biggest drinking days of the year. Be assured that police and state troopers will be on high alert March 17 throughout the day and night, making sure that everyone gets to their St. Patty’s Festivities safely.

Not only is drunk driving extremely dangerous, but there are hefty consequences associated with drunk driving. A person is considered “over the limit” if they are operating a vehicle with a BAC of .08 or greater. There are enhanced penalties for “Super Drunk Driving” if an individual’s BAC is 0.17 or higher.

The severity of the penalties depends on what number offense it is and the level of intoxication. The penalties include the following:

• If BAC is below .17 and it is a first offense the penalties includes up to a $500 fine and Up to 93 days in jail;
• If BAC is above .17 and it is a first offense the penalties includes up to a $700 fine and 180 days in jail;
• If it is a second offense within 7 years the penalties include one or more of the following: a $200 to $1000 fine and/or 5 days to 1 year in jail;
• If it is a third offense within a lifetime the offense is considered a felony and the penalties include one or more of the following: a $500 to $5000 fine, 1 to 5 years imprisonment and/or probation with 30 days to 1 year in jail;
• Additionally, convicted drunk drivers are subject to a $1,000 penalty for two consecutive years under the Driver Responsibility Act, for a total of $2,000 in additional costs.

You should contact an experienced Michigan drunk driving attorney if you find yourself facing charges. There are a number of strategies that could be used to lessen the consequences, help you keep your license or get it reinstated more quickly, depending on your individual circumstances. Fausone Bohn’s Michigan criminal defense and drunk driving attorneys have experience navigating a variety of cases.

There are a number of safer alternatives to drunk driving, including designating a sober driver, calling a friend, taking a cab or getting an Uber. Be sure to put safety first this St. Patty’s Day.

If you are charged with drunk driving, or have questions about drunk driving laws in Michigan, contact experienced criminal defense attorney Mark Mandell at 248-468-4536 or online at www.fb-firm.com.

Fausone Bohn, LLP has assisted clients pulled over for drunk driving and other driving infractions throughout southeast Michigan, including Detroit, Ann Arbor, Northville, Novi, Livonia, Canton, Farmington, and Royal Oak.

Police Patrols will be Watching for Drunk Drivers on Thanksgiving Holiday

Mark Mandell, Esq.

As another holiday approaches with Thanksgiving, police officers across the state will be keeping a closer eye out for drunk drivers, especially on Michigan’s highways. Between football and the copious amount of food eaten on Thanksgiving, there are also copious amounts of alcohol consumed on this holiday in particular.

As you always hear about tragic accidents happening around this time of year, the message of not drinking and driving is worth repeating. Throw in the worsening road conditions as winter approaches, and alcohol and driving can be a particularly deadly combination.

Not only is drunk driving extremely dangerous, but there are hefty consequences associated with drunk driving. A person is considered “over the limit” if they are operating a vehicle with a BAC of .08 or greater. There are enhanced penalties for “Super Drunk Driving” if an individual’s BAC is 0.17 or higher.

The severity of the penalties depends on what number offense it is and the level of intoxication. The penalties include the following:

• If BAC is below .17 and it is a first offense the penalties includes up to a $500 fine and Up to 93 days in jail; 
• If BAC is above .17 and it is a first offense the penalties includes up to a $700 fine and 180 days in jail;
• If it is a second offense within 7 years the penalties include one or more of the following: a $200 to $1000 fine and/or 5 days to 1 year in jail; 
• If it is a third offense within a lifetime the offense is considered a felony and the penalties include one or more of the following: a $500 to $5000 fine, 1 to 5 years imprisonment and/or probation with 30 days to 1 year in jail;
• Additionally, convicted drunk drivers are subject to a $1,000 penalty for two consecutive years under the Driver Responsibility Act, for a total of $2,000 in additional costs.

There are a number of safer alternatives to drunk driving. Safer alternatives include: designating a sober driver; calling a friend; taking a cab; walking or staying over the night at a family or friend’s home.

If you are facing drunk driving charges, or have questions regarding the law, contact experienced criminal defense attorney Mark Mandell at 888-674-1189 or online at www.MichiganFraudLawyer.com.

Police Patrols will be Watching for Drunk Drivers on July Fourth Holiday

Mark Mandell, Esq.

As another holiday approaches with the Fourth of July, police officers across the state will be keeping a closer eye out for drunk drivers, especially on Michigan’s highways. Summer holidays are a very busy time for travel and officers will be making sure that everyone gets to their family gatherings safely.

Not only is drunk driving extremely dangerous, but there are hefty consequences associated with drunk driving. A person is considered “over the limit” if they are operating a vehicle with a BAC of .08 or greater. There are enhanced penalties for “Super Drunk Driving” if an individual’s BAC is 0.17 or higher.

The severity of the penalties depends on what number offense it is and the level of intoxication. The penalties include the following:

• If BAC is below .17 and it is a first offense the penalties includes up to a $500 fine and Up to 93 days in jail;
• If BAC is above .17 and it is a first offense the penalties includes up to a $700 fine and 180 days in jail;
• If it is a second offense within 7 years the penalties include one or more of the following: a $200 to $1000 fine and/or 5 days to 1 year in jail;
• If it is a third offense within a lifetime the offense is considered a felony and the penalties include one or more of the following: a $500 to $5000 fine, 1 to 5 years imprisonment and/or probation with 30 days to 1 year in jail;
• Additionally, convicted drunk drivers are subject to a $1,000 penalty for two consecutive years under the Driver Responsibility Act, for a total of $2,000 in additional costs.

There are a number of safer alternatives to drunk driving. Safer alternatives include: designating a sober driver; calling a friend; taking a cab; walking or staying overnight at a family or friend’s home.

If you are facing drunk driving charges, or have questions regarding the law, contact experienced criminal defense attorney Mark Mandell at 888-674-1189 or online at www.MichiganFraudLawyer.com.

The Evolution of Drunk Driving

Mark J. Mandell, Esq.

Recently, a principle of one of Michigan’s elementary schools was arrested with charges of Super Drunk Driving. Passed in 2010, the new ‘Super Drunk’ law has created harsher penalties for those driving with a BAC of .17% or higher.

In comparison to a regular drunk driving charge, those convicted of being “super drunk drivers” can face up to 180 days in jail, are required to complete an alcohol treatment program, pay up to $700 in fines and are not allowed to drive for 45 days following the incident. On top of all of that, their driving is further restricted for 320 days with the implementation of an ignition interlock device that prevents the vehicle from starting if alcohol is detected on the breath.

While these penalties may seem harsh, alcohol-related traffic accidents account for nearly one-third of all traffic-related deaths in the United States. Each year, tens of thousands of people are killed in such crashes – despite their preventability.

In recent years, Michigan has seen a fall in the rates of alcohol-related arrests; however, it is hard to say whether this trend is a direct result of the new laws and associated penalties or the police force’s loss in manpower due to budget cuts. The Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning has stated that by advertising and warning the public about the dangers and costs of drunk driving, people are thinking twice before getting behind the wheel while drunk.

To learn more about Michigan’s drunk driving laws, or if you yourself have been charged, please visit: www.michiganfraudlawyer.com or contact Mark Mandell at (248) 380-9976.