Ann arbor DUI Guide: Charges, Court & Insurance

DUI enforcement in ZIP code 48108 (Ann Arbor), Michigan

ZIP code 48108 covers a busy Ann Arbor area with a mix of neighborhood streets, student travel, commercial corridors, and easy access to major traffic routes. That mix matters because Michigan OWI enforcement is driven less by neighborhood boundaries and more by where officers observe driving behavior, impaired driving indicators, and traffic violations. In this part of Washtenaw County, DUI arrests often involve the Ann Arbor Police Department, University of Michigan Police Department, Michigan State Police, or Washtenaw County Sheriff depending on where the stop occurs.[10][14]

Michigan law allows an arrest for operating while intoxicated, operating while visibly impaired, or high-BAC driving when an officer believes there is probable cause, and a person can still be arrested even if the BAC later tests below .08 if the officer observed impairment.[1][10] That makes Ann Arbor DUI cases highly fact-sensitive: a minor lane deviation, a speed-related stop, a campus patrol contact, or post-event traffic enforcement can all become the basis for an OWI investigation. The state’s high-BAC law also matters locally because a BAC of .17 or higher triggers enhanced penalties and a more difficult path back to a restricted license.[1][10]

First 72 hours after a ZIP code 48108 (Ann Arbor), Michigan arrest

The first 24 to 72 hours after an arrest are usually the most important. The driver should gather paperwork, write down the timeline, preserve any medical or prescription information, and avoid discussing the incident on social media or with anyone other than counsel. If the arrest involved a breath or blood refusal, the implied-consent clock is already running, and the Secretary of State deadline for a hearing request is only 14 days from refusal.[2]

A local lawyer will also look at where the case will be filed. Misdemeanor OWI cases from Ann Arbor are commonly heard in the 15th District Court; felony-level repeat or injury cases move into the county circuit system after district-court proceedings.[14] A lawyer who knows the local court, the prosecutors, and the probation staff can often identify plea opportunities, treatment expectations, and sentencing trends faster than someone unfamiliar with the area.

Why local representation matters

Local representation matters in Ann Arbor because DUI outcomes often hinge on courtroom culture as much as legal statutes. A lawyer who regularly appears in Washtenaw County knows how local judges handle alcohol testing, ignition interlock, probation conditions, and treatment recommendations. That local familiarity can make the difference between a routine plea, a reduction to a lesser offense, or a contested motion practice strategy built around the specific officers and labs involved.[12][14]

A local attorney also understands the practical side of the case: which booking facility processed the arrest, how quickly the prosecutor screens evidence, whether a motion to suppress is worth filing, and how to position the client for a license appeal or a restricted driving outcome. In a ZIP code like 48108, that combination of courtroom experience and local knowledge is often the most valuable part of the defense.

DUI arrest process in ZIP code 48108 (Ann Arbor), Michigan

Booking and release

After an arrest in or near ZIP code 48108, police usually transport the driver to the local jail or a nearby county booking facility for fingerprinting, photographs, and a formal record of the arrest. In Washtenaw County, DUI arrests are commonly processed through the Washtenaw County Jail/booking system, even when the stop began in Ann Arbor, on the University of Michigan campus, or along the I-94 corridor. Michigan law allows an officer to arrest for OWI, OWVI, or “super drunk” driving based on probable cause, and the criminal case then moves into the local district court system.[5][10]

Arraignment timeline

Michigan practice is that the arraignment typically happens within a short window after arrest, often within 24 to 72 hours if the person is held in custody, or on a later date if the person is released. In Ann Arbor, most misdemeanor DUI cases are heard in the 15th District Court for the City of Ann Arbor, while felony cases are generally handled in Washtenaw County Trial Court after district court bindover. The judge addresses the charge, bond, and release conditions, and the court may impose alcohol testing, no-alcohol conditions, travel limits, or IID-related restrictions.

Chemical test refusal and MI deadline

Michigan’s implied consent law makes the post-arrest chemical test critical. If a driver refuses the evidential breath, blood, or urine test, the Secretary of State can impose an automatic license suspension, and the refusal creates a separate implied-consent matter from the criminal case.[1][2] For a first refusal, the suspension is one year; for a second refusal within seven years, it is two years.[1] The implied-consent hearing request deadline is 14 days from the date of refusal, so acting quickly is essential.[2]

What happens next

The next steps usually include attorney review of the police report, body-cam, dash-cam, chemical test packet, and any video of field sobriety tests. A local lawyer will also monitor whether the prosecutor files OWI, OWVI, high-BAC OWI, or a repeat-offense felony, because the charge level drives the court path, the license consequences, and the eventual sentence structure.[1][14]

Michigan DUI penalties as applied in ZIP code 48108 (Ann Arbor)

Michigan’s basic OWI law criminalizes driving with a BAC of .08 or greater for drivers over 21, while a BAC of .17 or higher triggers “high-BAC” or “super drunk” penalties.[1][10] In Ann Arbor, those penalties are enforced through the local district court for misdemeanors and the county trial court for felonies, but the state sentencing ranges come from Michigan law rather than local ordinance. A driver can also be charged with OWVI if the prosecutor believes alcohol or drugs materially impaired normal operation, even where the BAC is below .08.[1][4]

| offense | jail | fine | license suspension | IID | DUI school | |---|---:|---:|---:|---:|---:| | 1st offense OWI, BAC below .17 | Up to 93 days[1] | Up to $500[1] | Up to 180 days[1] | May be required for restricted driving depending on case terms[1] | Often ordered if alcohol assessment shows need | | 1st offense OWI, BAC .17+ | Up to 180 days[1] | Up to $700[1] | Up to 1 year[1] | Required after 45 days to obtain a restricted license[1] | Mandatory alcohol treatment program[1] | | 2nd offense within 7 years | Minimum 5 days to 1 year[13] | Up to $1,000[13] | Longer suspension / revocation exposure[13] | Commonly ordered | Treatment and compliance conditions are typical | | 3rd+ offense | Felony-level exposure, often 1 to 5 years[13][14] | Up to $5,000[13] | Substantial revocation exposure | Often required | Intensive treatment and probation conditions are typical |

Michigan also imposes 6 points on the driver’s record for an OWI conviction, and convicted drunk drivers may face ignition interlock obligations and other restricted-license conditions.[1]

• Employment: A DUI can affect jobs that require driving, client contact, background checks, or clean professional discipline records. In Ann Arbor, university, healthcare, commercial, and public-safety jobs can be especially sensitive to OWI convictions.
• Insurance: Carriers often raise premiums sharply after a DUI, and some nonstandard policies become the only realistic option for several years.
• Immigration: Non-citizens can face immigration complications if the case involves aggravating factors, repeat conduct, or related criminal charges. Even a misdemeanor can create screening issues in certain contexts.
• Professional licenses: Nurses, teachers, doctors, accountants, real estate professionals, commercial drivers, and other licensed workers may need to report the conviction or respond to board inquiries.
• Housing and school discipline: Some landlords, graduate programs, and university conduct systems may consider a drunk-driving conviction, especially if the facts involve property damage, injury, or refusal.
• Vehicle-related penalties: Court-ordered immobilization, IID installation, or restricted-license conditions can increase the practical cost of driving long after the sentencing date.

In short, the most important penalty is often not the fine itself but the combined impact of jail risk, loss of mobility, treatment requirements, insurance hikes, and long-term record consequences.

Out-of-pocket cost breakdown for a DUI in ZIP code 48108 (Ann Arbor), Michigan

• Fines: First-offense OWI fines can reach $500, while a high-BAC first offense can reach $700 under Michigan law.[1]
• Court costs and fees: Local court costs, probation fees, testing fees, and administrative charges often add $300 to $1,500+, depending on the case and sentence.
• Attorney fee: A misdemeanor DUI defense commonly costs $1,500 to $10,000; more complex felony cases can exceed that range.
• IID install + monthly: Ignition interlock installation often costs $75 to $150, with monthly monitoring typically around $60 to $100 plus lockout or removal fees.
• DUI school / alcohol treatment: Education or counseling commonly costs $200 to $1,000+ depending on whether the court orders a short program or a longer clinical track.
• 3-year insurance increase: Michigan drivers often see premium increases of $1,500 to $6,000+ per year, creating a multi-year hit that can total $4,500 to $18,000+ over three years.
• License reinstatement: Reinstatement and clearance-related fees can add $125 to $300+, especially if a refusal suspension, breath-test suspension, or restricted-license request is involved.
• Other hidden costs: Transportation, ride-share, missed work, alcohol screening, and repeated court travel can add several hundred to several thousand dollars more.

| TOTAL RANGE | Estimated out-of-pocket impact | |---|---:| | Low-end first offense | $7,000 | | Common range | $12,000 to $25,000 | | High-end contested case | $30,000+ |

These figures can be much higher if the case involves a refusal, high BAC, repeat offense, or felony charge, because those cases add more jail exposure, longer supervision, and more expensive insurance consequences.[1][13]

Common defenses that can reduce or dismiss a DUI case in Ann Arbor

Illegal stop

If police lacked reasonable suspicion for the traffic stop, the entire case can be suppressed because everything that followed flowed from an unconstitutional seizure. In practice, this defense often turns on lane position, alleged speeding, equipment defects, or whether the officer relied on a vague hunch rather than specific facts.

Faulty field sobriety tests

Standardized field sobriety tests are only useful if the officer administered them correctly and under reasonably fair conditions. Uneven pavement, poor lighting, weather, footwear, injury, fatigue, or unclear instructions can make the tests unreliable and weaken probable cause.

Breathalyzer calibration and the 15-minute observation period

Breath cases often turn on whether the instrument was properly calibrated and whether the operator complied with the required observation or deprivation period before the sample. If the machine records are incomplete or the officer did not watch for mouth alcohol, belching, regurgitation, or contamination, the result may be challenged as unreliable.

Rising BAC

A driver’s BAC may be below .08 while driving but rise above .08 by the time the chemical test is taken. This is especially important when there was a delay between driving, stop, arrest, and testing. The defense is most useful when the timeline suggests the person was still absorbing alcohol after the driving event.

Miranda and post-arrest statements

If police interrogated the driver after custody without proper Miranda warnings, certain statements may be excluded. That usually does not erase the arrest, but it can reduce the prosecution’s proof on admissions, drinking timeline, or impairment.

Blood-test chain of custody

Blood evidence can be attacked if the draw, labeling, storage, transport, or laboratory handling was sloppy. Missing paperwork or an unclear chain of custody can create a foundation problem that may lower the evidentiary value of the blood result.

Plea options, including wet reckless

Michigan does not use a formal California-style “wet reckless” label as a standard statewide plea, but prosecutors may still agree to reduced charges such as OWVI, reckless driving, or other non-OWI resolutions depending on the facts and prior record.[1][14] A strong defense often creates the leverage needed to obtain that reduction.

Auto insurance after a DUI in ZIP code 48108 (Ann Arbor), Michigan

Filing an SR-22 in MI

Michigan commonly uses an SR-22 certificate of financial responsibility after a DUI-related license action. The filing is made by the insurance company on behalf of the driver, not by the driver personally, and it tells the state that the policy meets required liability standards. Michigan is not a Florida or Virginia-style FR-44 state; the relevant post-DUI filing concept here is SR-22.[1][2]

An SR-22 is often required for a set period tied to reinstatement or restricted driving, and any lapse can trigger another suspension or require a new filing period to start over. If you need coverage but do not own a car, a non-owner SR-22 policy can sometimes satisfy the filing requirement while covering you only when you drive vehicles you do not own.

How much your rate will go up

A DUI usually produces a substantial premium increase because the driver is moved into a high-risk pool. In Michigan, a typical post-DUI increase often ranges from about 50% to 200%+, with many drivers seeing annual premiums rise by $1,500 to $6,000+ depending on age, driving history, vehicle, location, and coverage limits.

The impact can last 3 to 7 years or longer, because insurers often surcharge for several policy terms, and some companies re-underwrite the driver even after the formal surcharge period ends. A clean driving record after the DUI helps, but the conviction can remain a major pricing factor for multiple renewals.

| Coverage tier | Pre-DUI annual premium | Post-DUI annual premium | |---|---:|---:| | State minimum / basic liability | $900–$1,800 | $1,800–$4,500 | | Standard liability + comp/collision | $1,400–$2,800 | $3,000–$7,500 | | Higher-limit full coverage | $2,000–$4,500 | $4,500–$12,000+ |

High-risk carriers that write in Michigan

Michigan drivers with a DUI often end up shopping among insurers that are known for high-risk or non-standard business, including The General, Dairyland, Acceptance, Bristol West, and Progressive. Actual availability can vary by underwriting guidelines, the age of the offense, the BAC level, prior claims, and whether the driver needs a non-owner or preferred-risk policy.

Non-owner & hardship policies

A non-owner policy can be useful if your license is restricted or you do not own a vehicle but still need an SR-22 filing. Hardship and restricted-license policies are often more expensive than ordinary coverage because the insurer views the DUI as an elevated risk factor. If the state requires interlock and an SR-22 at the same time, the total monthly cost can become significant very quickly.

When your rates return to normal

Rates usually improve after several clean years, but they rarely normalize immediately when the court case ends. The conviction may affect underwriting for 3, 5, 7, or more years, and some carriers will continue to surcharge until the next major policy change. The fastest way to lower the long-term hit is to avoid new violations, maintain continuous coverage, and compare quotes from multiple non-standard and standard carriers once the reinstatement period has passed.

DUI rehab and treatment options serving ZIP code 48108 (Ann Arbor), Michigan

Michigan courts often use alcohol education and treatment as part of sentencing, especially where the case involves a higher BAC, a refusal, repeat conduct, or signs of alcohol use disorder. For a first-offense OWI, courts often look to screening-based recommendations rather than automatically ordering intensive treatment, but a high-BAC conviction under Michigan’s enhanced law can require an alcohol treatment program and ignition interlock compliance before a restricted license is available.[1] In Washtenaw County, judges and probation departments commonly prefer structured, documented, MI-licensed services that show measurable participation and attendance.

Court-ordered DUI school in ZIP code 48108 (Ann Arbor), Michigan

Michigan DUI education generally starts with alcohol assessment and may include Level I or Level II education, outpatient counseling, relapse-prevention classes, or individualized treatment. Level I education is typically the shorter education component, while Level II services are more intensive and may include therapy or longer monitoring based on the screening outcome. The exact hours are usually set by the court, probation, or a licensed evaluator rather than by the criminal statute alone, but the more serious the offense, the more likely the court is to require extended education and counseling.[1]

Courts in and around Ann Arbor generally accept MI-licensed providers that can document attendance, screening results, and compliance. That means the safest choice is usually a program that is licensed in Michigan, familiar with OWI probation expectations, and able to provide timely progress reports if the court requests them.

Intensive outpatient (IOP) options

IOP is a common middle-ground option for defendants who need more than basic education but do not require residential care. Typical IOP schedules may involve several sessions per week over multiple weeks, often combining group therapy, relapse prevention, and alcohol/drug use assessment. In DUI cases, IOP can be especially helpful when the client wants to show the court real accountability before sentencing.

IOP is often favored when the person has a prior alcohol-related history, a high BAC, a refusal, or concerning screening results. Courts and probation officers tend to view early participation in IOP as a sign that the defendant is addressing the underlying problem rather than just waiting for a sentence to be imposed.

Inpatient/residential treatment

Residential treatment is usually reserved for more serious alcohol dependence, repeated relapse, co-occurring mental health issues, or repeated DUI history. This option takes the person out of the home environment and provides 24-hour structure, which can be persuasive in felony, high-BAC, or repeat-offense settings. A judge is more likely to credit residential care when it is tied to a professional assessment rather than chosen casually for sentencing optics.

Cost & insurance coverage

Short DUI education classes may cost a few hundred dollars, while longer outpatient programs commonly range from $500 to $3,000+. IOP can run $1,000 to $5,000+, and residential treatment may cost significantly more depending on length of stay and insurance coverage.

Insurance coverage varies widely. Many private plans will cover at least part of medically necessary outpatient or residential treatment if the provider is in-network and the diagnosis supports coverage. Medicaid may also cover substance-use treatment services for eligible Michigan residents, making it an important resource for defendants with limited income.

Choosing a program judges accept

Judges are usually more persuaded by a legitimate assessment and documented treatment than by a generic class certificate. The best programs are MI-licensed, transparent about hours, able to provide attendance verification, and willing to coordinate with counsel. Voluntarily entering treatment before sentencing can help mitigation because it shows the court that the defendant recognized the problem early and took steps to reduce future risk.

For Ann Arbor cases, the safest approach is to choose a provider that can support both legal compliance and clinical treatment goals, especially if the prosecutor is open to a reduced plea or the judge wants proof of sobriety efforts before final sentencing.

Choosing a DUI defense attorney in ZIP code 48108 (Ann Arbor), Michigan

What a ZIP code 48108 (Ann Arbor), Michigan DUI attorney does

A local DUI lawyer does far more than appear at the first court date. In Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County, counsel should evaluate the traffic stop, the arrest timeline, the breath or blood testing sequence, and the implied-consent suspension exposure, while also handling negotiation with the prosecutor and motion practice in the 15th District Court or Washtenaw County Trial Court. Because Michigan OWI cases are often resolved through plea bargaining, attorney leverage commonly comes from identifying weaknesses in probable cause, testing procedures, and the officer’s report.[1][5][14]

Local knowledge matters because the same statute can be handled very differently depending on the courtroom, the prosecutor’s office, and the judge’s expectations. A lawyer who routinely appears in Ann Arbor courts is better positioned to know whether the case is likely to be screened early, whether the court favors alcohol treatment as a bargaining chip, and how local probation departments typically structure testing, counseling, and IID compliance.

Fee ranges and what they include

For a misdemeanor OWI in Michigan, private defense fees commonly fall in the $1,500 to $10,000 range, depending on whether the case is a first offense, high-BAC matter, refusal case, or a contested trial. Felony OWI or third-offense cases can run $5,000 to $25,000+, especially when there is extensive discovery, expert testimony, or a multi-day trial.

A flat fee usually covers case review, court appearances, plea negotiations, and routine hearings. It may or may not include a Secretary of State hearing, a motion to suppress, expert witness work, trial, post-judgment motions, or probation violations. Always ask whether the quoted fee includes document review, video analysis, and sentencing advocacy, because those items often determine the real value of the representation.

Credentials & specializations to look for

The strongest DUI lawyers typically have NHTSA field-sobriety training, DRE familiarity, significant bench-trial or jury-trial experience, and a record of handling breath and blood cases. National DUI-focused groups such as the National College for DUI Defense can be a useful signal of specialization, even though Michigan does not have a unique “board certification” that replaces courtroom experience. You should also look for a lawyer who understands Michigan’s OWI structure under MCL 257.625, the license sanctions under MCL 257.319, and refusal issues under implied consent rules.[1][2][13]

Free consultation: 10 questions to ask

Ask how many DUI cases the lawyer handles each year, how often they appear in the local courts, and whether they personally handle motions or delegate them. Ask what defenses they see in your police report, whether they expect a reduced plea, and what the realistic sentencing exposure is under Michigan law. Also ask whether they handle the Secretary of State hearing, whether expert witnesses are used, and what costs are outside the flat fee.

Public defender vs private counsel

A public defender can be an excellent lawyer, especially in felony cases, but the trade-off is workload and limited time for investigation. Private counsel often has more flexibility to analyze body-cam, challenge machine maintenance, and negotiate early with prosecutors, though the best choice depends on the seriousness of the charge and your budget. If you are facing a first-offense misdemeanor and have a straightforward fact pattern, a private lawyer’s local familiarity may be especially useful; if the case is a felony or has complex suppression issues, either route can work if the lawyer is experienced and responsive.

Advanced DUI defense strategies in ZIP code 48108 (Ann Arbor), Michigan

Suppression motions that win cases

The most powerful DUI defenses often start before trial with motions to suppress. Under the Fourth Amendment, a stop can be attacked if the officer lacked reasonable suspicion, if the stop was prolonged beyond the traffic mission without lawful justification, or if the officer expanded the encounter into sobriety testing without adequate grounds. In Ann Arbor cases, counsel should examine whether the officer went from a minor lane or equipment issue to full DUI investigation without a legally sufficient basis.

A lack of probable cause challenge is equally important. Even when the stop was valid, the arrest must still be supported by facts showing impairment. Slurred speech, odor, and minor driving errors do not always equal probable cause, especially if body-cam shows coherent answers or a reasonable explanation such as fatigue, illness, or medication.

Attacking the breath/blood test

Breath cases often turn on maintenance logs, simulator solution records, operator certification, and whether the machine was functioning properly on the date of testing. The 15- or 20-minute observation period matters because mouth alcohol, recent burping, regurgitation, or dental issues can skew results. Defense counsel should seek the instrument printout, calibration history, transaction logs, and the full evidentiary packet, not just the numerical BAC.

Blood cases require a separate attack. Chain-of-custody errors, contamination, improper preservatives, hemolysis, storage temperature problems, or delayed analysis can all reduce reliability. Where appropriate, experts may also challenge retrograde extrapolation, which is the attempt to calculate BAC backward in time based on a later sample.

Plea-reduction options under MI law

Michigan does not guarantee a “wet reckless” plea, but resolution options can still include reduced OWI-based charges, OWVI, or in some cases reckless driving or obstruction-related outcomes depending on the facts and prosecutor. The key leverage comes from filing motions, exposing weak test evidence, and showing mitigation through treatment, abstinence monitoring, or favorable character evidence.[1][14]

Diversion & deferred prosecution

Formal diversion for OWI is limited in Michigan, but some local courts and prosecutors will consider sobriety court, therapeutic probation, or treatment-based alternatives in first-offense or low-risk cases. Voluntary enrollment in alcohol evaluation, AA, outpatient counseling, or an intensive outpatient program before sentencing can improve negotiations because it demonstrates acceptance of the problem and a lower risk profile. In cases where the evidence is thin, early treatment can also make a reduction or delayed sentencing structure more realistic.

When to take a DUI to trial

A DUI should go to trial when the stop is weak, the testing is unreliable, the prosecutor refuses a fair reduction, and the client is willing to accept the risk for a better outcome. Trial can be especially effective in Ann Arbor when body-cam contradicts the police report, when the machine records are incomplete, or when the blood/breath timeline is internally inconsistent. A strong trial posture also improves plea leverage; many DUI reductions happen because the defense is prepared to litigate every step of the case.

Q: Can I go to jail for a first-offense DUI in Ann Arbor?

Yes. Under Michigan law, a first offense can carry up to 93 days in jail, and a high-BAC first offense can carry up to 180 days.[1] In practice, many first offenders avoid jail, but that depends on the facts, BAC level, prior record, and local court expectations.

Q: How long will my license be suspended?

For a first-offense OWI, Michigan uses a 180-day suspension, and a high-BAC first offense can bring a one-year suspension.[1] A refusal can also trigger a separate one-year implied-consent suspension.[1][2]

Q: Will I need an ignition interlock device?

Possibly. Michigan requires IID use after certain drunk-driving convictions, and high-BAC first offenses can require ignition interlock before a restricted license is issued after the waiting period.[1] The exact requirement depends on the charge level and your driving record.

Q: How much does SR-22 insurance cost in Michigan?

The filing itself is usually inexpensive, but the insurance premium jump is the real cost. Many drivers see annual increases of roughly 50% to 200% or more after a DUI, depending on prior record, age, vehicle, and coverage tier.

Q: What are the best DUI defenses?

The strongest defenses usually involve an illegal stop, bad probable cause, unreliable field sobriety tests, or flawed breath/blood testing. The best defense is the one supported by the police video, the reports, and the machine records.

Q: Can my DUI be reduced to reckless driving?

Sometimes. Michigan prosecutors may agree to a reduced plea such as reckless driving or OWVI in the right case, but there is no automatic entitlement to a wet reckless-style deal.[1][14] The reduction usually depends on the facts, your record, and the quality of the defense.

Q: Can a DUI be expunged in Michigan?

Some misdemeanor OWI convictions may be eligible for expungement under Michigan’s expungement laws, but not every DUI conviction qualifies. The eligibility rules depend on the offense type, number of prior convictions, and waiting periods.

Q: What happens to my CDL after a DUI?

A DUI can seriously damage or disqualify commercial driving privileges, even if it happens in a personal vehicle. CDL holders face stricter consequences than non-commercial drivers, and a conviction can affect both employment and qualification status.

Q: What should I do tonight after an arrest?

Write down everything you remember, save all paperwork, and do not talk about the case on social media. Contact a local DUI lawyer quickly so they can calendar the implied-consent deadline and begin reviewing the stop, test, and court file.

Q: How much does a DUI attorney cost?

For a misdemeanor DUI in Michigan, many lawyers charge somewhere between $1,500 and $10,000, depending on complexity. Felony or repeat-offense cases often cost more because they require more investigation, motions, and hearing time.

Q: Can I refuse the breathalyzer?

You can refuse, but Michigan law imposes significant implied-consent penalties for refusal, including a one-year suspension for a first refusal and two years for a second refusal within seven years.[1][2] A refusal can also make the criminal case harder because prosecutors may argue consciousness of guilt.

Q: How long does a DUI stay on my record?

A DUI can affect your criminal record, driving record, and insurance profile for many years. Even after the immediate suspension ends, the conviction can continue to matter for sentencing, employment, licensing, and insurance underwriting long after the case is over.

Sources

1. www.michigan.gov
2. www.legislature.mi.gov
3. offcampus.umich.edu
4. www.justia.com
5. www.findlaw.com
6. www.michigan.gov
7. www.arborypsilaw.com
8. www.grabellaw.com
9. www.simoncriminaldefense.com
10. www.michiganduiplaybook.com
11. www.glgmichigan.com
12. www.michiganlawgrad.com
13. www.grabellaw.com
14. www.michbar.org