The statutes that control Michigan OWI cases
OWI in Michigan is defined by MCL 257.625, and the chemical-testing rules sit in MCL 257.625c. Both are published in the official state code at legislature.mi.gov, which is the only version that governs — summaries elsewhere, including ours, can lag amendments.
Statutory text, definitions, BAC thresholds and sentencing ranges.
What refusing a breath, blood or urine test costs you.
Statute at a glance
Michigan OWI law at a glance
Sourced from the Michigan code and state agency sites. Verify current text before relying on it.
- Offense name
- OWI (Michigan)
- Controlling statute
- MCL 257.625
- Implied consent
- MCL 257.625c
- Per se BAC limit
- 0.08 (0.04 CDL, 0.02 or lower under 21)
- Licence hearing deadline
- 14 days after arrest
- Prior-offense lookback
- 7 years
- First-offense fine
- $100–$500
- First-offense jail exposure
- up to 93 days
- Licence suspension
- 6 months
- Ignition interlock
- Not automatic on a first offense
- Trial court
- the District Court
- High-risk filing
- SR-22 for 3 years
A first offense can carry up to 93 days jail plus costs, probation, and a suspension.
First-offense exposure under MCL 257.625: $100–$500, up to 93 days of jail exposure, and a 6 months licence suspension. A first offense can carry up to 93 days jail plus costs, probation, and a suspension.
What MCL 257.625 actually says
- MCL 257.625(1) — a person shall not operate a vehicle on a highway or other public place while intoxicated.
- MCL 257.625 separately prohibits operating a vehicle while visibly impaired.
- MCL 257.625 provides enhanced penalties for causing death or serious impairment of a body function.
Charging documents cite the exact subsection, so check which one appears on your citation. The posted text on legislature.mi.gov carries an effective date — amendments passed after it are not yet reflected.
Michigan ZIP codes covered
These Michigan ZIP-code pages carry the local court, filing and licensing detail for the area, and each one links back to this resource page.
Counties and cities using these Michigan resources
Counties
Other Michigan official resources
Frequently asked questions
- What statute defines OWI in Michigan?
- MCL 257.625 is the controlling OWI statute in Michigan. You can read the current text on the official code site at legislature.mi.gov.
- What is the Michigan implied-consent law?
- MCL 257.625c is the implied-consent provision. It sets out the consequences of refusing a chemical test after a lawful OWI arrest.