In Michigan, although you become an adult at the age of 18, the liquor control laws define an adult as someone 21 years of age or older. So, Michigan enacted the Zero Tolerance law for people under the age of 21. Minors may not operate a motor vehicle with any bodily alcohol content. If you’ve been arrested in Michigan it’s important to contact an attorney right away to protect your rights.

Michigan DUI WARNING! If you refused to take a breath, blood, or urine test after being arrested for OWI, OMVI, or another alcohol related charge in Michigan, your license may be at risk of being suspended if you do not take appropriate action to demand an administrative hearing within 14 days after your arrest. Learn more about saving your driver’s license following an arrest for OWI, OMVI, or other related drunk driving charges in Michigan.

Michigan drunk driving laws are sometimes referred to as OMVI or Michigan OWI laws. There are really three distinct drunk driving offenses in Michigan:

  1. Operating under the influence of intoxicating liquor;
  2. Driving with an unlawful bodily alcohol level/content; and
  3. Operating while impaired. Of these three, OWI is the least serious offense.

These are criminal offenses; therefore, to successfully prosecute the drunk driving case against you, the prosecutor must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the drunk driver was:

  1. operating a motor vehicle,
  2. while under the influence of alcohol, controlled substances, or both, and
  3. alcohol materially or substantially affected operating the motor vehicle.

Another way a prosecutor will try to gain a drunk driving conviction is by violation of the “per se” law. This law relates only to body chemistry and has nothing to do with alcohol impairment. In order to gain a conviction under this theory, the prosecutor must prove beyond a reasonable doubt, that

  1. a driver’s blood or breath alcohol content (BAC) was greater than .08%,
  2. while he or she was operating his motor vehicle.

Michigan OWI requires a prosecutor to prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the driver was

  1. operating a vehicle,
  2. while alcohol visibly weakened or reduced his ability to operate his motor vehicle.

These criminal offenses can apply to adults or minors. In Michigan, although we become adults at age 18, the liquor control laws define an adult as someone 21 years of age or older. So, Michigan enacted the “Zero Tolerance” law for people under the age of 21. Minors may not operate a motor vehicle with any bodily alcohol content.

A conviction or plea of guilty of OUIL or driving with an excessive BAC means a maximum sentence of up to $500.00 in fines plus the costs of prosecution, up to 93 days in jail, and up to 45 days of community service. A second DUI, OUIL, or UBAC in Michigan increases the fines plus costs up to $1,000.00, and imprisonment up to 1 year in jail.

A conviction or guilty plea to OWI will result in a maximum sentence of up to $300.00 in fines plus costs, up to 93 days in jail, and up to 45 days of community service.

A third-time conviction for drunk driving will result in a felony punishable by 1 to 5 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $5,000.00.

On top of the above, a convicted person’s license will be suspended or revoked for varying lengths of time depending on the circumstances. For a conviction of OUIL or UBAL/UBAC, a license will be suspended for not less than 6 months and not more than 2 years, without restriction for the first 30 days. If the drunk driver has a prior conviction, the license may be revoked. However, for a conviction of OWI, the license may be suspended for not less than 93 days or more than one year, but a restricted license is available immediately. A restricted license will allow the convicted person to drive to, from, and during work, to alcohol treatment, school, community service, or probation. He or she must carry proof of destination and hours to show law enforcement.

One of the toughest sanctions next to time in jail is when the sentencing judge confiscates the vehicle the drunk driver operated. The vehicle does not have to belong to the operator – it can be anyone else’s vehicle. It doesn’t matter if the vehicle is necessary for the other members of the drunk driver’s family.

Possible punishments for a Michigan drunk driving conviction include:

Michigan DUI Criminal Sentencing, 1st Offense (no prior 625 Crime)

Summary of Michigan OUIL / OWI / DWI / UBAL Criminal Laws
Criminal Sentencing / Administrative Consequences – Repeat Offender
(OUIL / OWI / DWI, Alcohol Convictions)

OUIL / UBAC / OUID §625(1)

  • Misdemeanor Fine/Jail/Comm Svc: 1 or more of following: Up to 93 days jail; $100-$500 fine; up to 45 days comm svc.
  • Licensing: 30/150 Susp./rest
  • Plate conf: None
  • Immob: Permissive up to 180 days [90-180 days if prior 653a(3)]
  • Reg Deny: None
  • Forf: None

OWI §625(3)

  • Misdemeanor Fine/Jail/Comm Svc: 1 or more of following: Up to 93 days jail; up to $300 fine; up to 45 days comm svc.
  • Licensing: 90 day rest
  • Plate conf: None
  • Immob: Permissive up to 180 days [90-180 days if prior 653a(3)]
  • Reg Deny: None
  • Forf: None

OUIL / OWI Death / Injury §625(4)&(5)

  • Felony Fine/Jail/Comm Svc: Death – prison up to 15 years OR $2,500-$10,000 fine, or both.
  • Injury -prison up to 5 years OR $1,000-$5,000 fine OR both. Emergency Responder
  • Death-prison up to 20 years or $2,500 to $10,000 fine, or both.
  • Licensing: minimum 1 year revocation/denial
  • Plate conf: Required
  • Immob: Required up to 180 days [90-180 days if prior 653a(3)]
  • Reg Deny: None
  • Forf: Permissive

Zero Tolerance §625(6)

  • Misdemeanor Fine/Jail/Comm Svc: Up to $250 fine OR up to 45 days comm svc, or both.
  • Licensing: 30 day rest.
  • Plate conf: None
  • Immob: None [90-180 days if prior 653a(3)]
  • Reg Deny: None
  • Forf: None

Child Endangement §625(7)

  • Misdemeanor Fine/Jail/Comm Svc: $200-$1,000 fine AND one or more of the following: 5days to 1year jail; 30-90 days comm svc.
  • Licensing: 90/90 susp./rest.
  • Plate conf: None
  • Immob: Permissive up to 180 days [90-180 days if prior 653a(3)]
  • Reg Deny: None
  • Forf: Permissive

.04 CDL §625m(1)

  • Misdemeanor Fine/Jail/Comm Svc: Up to $300 fine OR up to 93 days jail, or both.
  • Licensing: CDL – 1 yr susp, OPR 90 day rest., HAZ-3yr susp.
  • Plate conf: None
  • Immob: Permissive up to 180 days [90-180 days if prior 653a(3)]
  • Reg Deny: None
  • Forf: None

Michigan DUI Criminal Sentencing, 2nd Offense or any prior 625 or 653a(4) crime within 7years

Summary of Michigan OUIL / OWI / DWI / UBAL Criminal Laws
Criminal Sentencing / Administrative Consequences – Repeat Offender
(OUIL / OWI / DWI, Alcohol Convictions)

OUIL / UBAC / OUID §625(1)

  • Misdemeanor Fine/Jail/Comm Svc: $200-$1,000 fine AND one or more of the following: 5 days to 1 year jail; 30-90 days comm svc.
  • Licensing: minimum 1 year revocation/denial
  • Plate conf: Required
  • Immob: Required 90 to 180 days unless forfeited [1-3 years if prior 653a(3)]
  • Reg Deny: None
  • Forf: Permissive

OWI §625(3)

  • Misdemeanor Fine/Jail/Comm Svc: $200-$1,000 fine AND one or more of the following: 5 days to 1 year jail; 30-90 days comm svc.
  • Licensing: minimum 1 year revocation/denial
  • Plate conf: Required
  • Immob: Required 90 to 180 days unless forfeited [1-3 years if prior 653a(3)]
  • Reg Deny: None
  • Forf: Permissive

OUIL / OWI Death / Injury §625(4)&(5)

  • Felony Fine/Jail/Comm Svc: Death – prison up to 15 years OR $2,500-$10,000 fine OR both.
  • Injury – prison up to 5 years OR $1,000-$5,000 fine OR both.
  • Emergency Responder Death – prison up to 20 years OR $2,500 to $10,000 fine, or both
  • Licensing: minimum 5 year revocation/denial
  • Plate conf: Required
  • Immob: Required 90 to 180 days unless forfeited [1-3 years if prior 653a(3)]
  • Reg Deny: None
  • Forf: Permissive

Zero Tolerance §625(6)

  • Misdemeanor Fine/Jail/Comm Svc: One or more of the following: up to 60 days comm svc; up to 93 day jail.
  • Licensing: 90 day susp OR if prior §625 then minimum 1 year revocation/denial
  • Plate conf: None
  • Immob: None [1-3 years if prior 653a(3)]
  • Reg Deny: None
  • Forf: None

Child Endangement §625(7)

  • Felony Fine/Jail/Comm Svc: $500-$5,000 fine AND either of the following: 1-5 years prison; probation with 30 days to 1 year jail AND 60-180 days comm svc.
  • Licensing: minimum 1 year revocation/denial
  • Plate conf: Required
  • Immob: Required 90 to 180 days unless forfeited [1-3 years if prior 653a(3)]
  • Reg Deny: None
  • Forf: Permissive

.04 CDL §625m(1)

  • Misdemeanor Fine/Jail/Comm Svc: Up to $1,000 fine OR up to 1 year prison, or both.
  • Licensing: CDL-minimum 10 yr rev. OPR 1 yr rev/den.
  • Plate conf: Required
  • Immob: Required 90 to 180 days [1-3 years if prior 653a(3)]
  • Reg Deny: None
  • Forf: None

Michigan DUI Criminal Sentencing, 3rd Offense or 2 prior 625 or 653a(4) crimes within 10 years

Summary of Michigan OUIL / OWI / DWI / UBAL Criminal Laws
Criminal Sentencing / Administrative Consequences – Repeat Offender
(OUIL / OWI / DWI, Alcohol Convictions)

OUIL / UBAC / OUID §625(1)

  • Felony Fine/Jail/Comm Svc: $500-$5,000 fine AND either of the following: 1-5 years prison; probation with 30 days to 1 year jail AND 60-180 days comm svc.
  • Licensing: minimum 5 year revocation/denial
  • Plate conf: Required
  • Immob: Required 1 to 3 years unless forfeited [“Prior” includes 653a(3)]
  • Reg Deny: Required
  • Forf: Permissive

OWI §625(3)

  • Felony Fine/Jail/Comm Svc: $500-$5,000 fine AND either of the following: 1-5 years prison; probation with 30 days to 1 year jail AND 60-180 days comm svc.
  • Licensing: minimum 5 year revocation/denial
  • Plate conf: Required
  • Immob: Required 1 to 3 years unless forfeited [“Prior” includes 653a(3)]
  • Reg Deny: Required
  • Forf: Permissive

OUIL / OWI Death / Injury §625(4)&(5)

  • Felony Fine/Jail/Comm Svc: Death – prison up to 15 years OR $2,500-$10,000 fine OR both.
  • Injury – prison up to 5 years OR $1,000-$5,000 fine OR both.
  • Emergency Responder Death – prison up to 20 years OR $2,500 to $10,000 fine, or both
  • Licensing: minimum 5 year revocation/denial
  • Plate conf: Required
  • Immob: Required 1 to 3 years unless forfeited [“Prior” includes 653a(3)]
  • Reg Deny: Required
  • Forf: Permissive

Zero Tolerance §625(6)

  • Endangerment Zero Tolerance w/occupant Under 16 Misdemeanor Fine/Jail/Comm Svc: 1st – One or more of the following: up to 60 days comm svc; up to $550 fine; up to 93 days jail.
  • 2nd – $200-$1,000 fine AND one or more of the following: 5 days to 1 year jail; 30-90 days comm svc.
  • Licensing: 1st-90/90 susp./rest. 2nd-revoke
  • Plate conf: See 1st, 2nd offense.
  • Immob: See 1st, 2nd offense.
  • Reg Deny: None
  • Forf: Permissive

Child Endangement §625(7)

  • Felony Fine/Jail/Comm Svc: $500-$5,000 fine and either of the following: prison from 1-5 years; probation with 30 days to 1 year jail AND 60-180 days comm svc.
  • Licensing: CDL-rev for LIFE-if prior approval, OPR-minimum 5 yr den/rev.
  • Plate conf: Required
  • Immob: Required 1 to 3 years [“Prior” includes 653a(3)]
  • Reg Deny: Required
  • Forf: None

Criminal Sentencing/Administrative Consequences – Repeat Offender (Driving While Suspended Convictions)

Michigan DUI Criminal Sentencing, 1st Offense (Driving While Suspended Convictions)

Summary of Michigan OUIL / OWI / DWI / UBAL Criminal Laws
Criminal Sentencing / Administrative Consequences – Repeat Offender
(Driving While Suspended Convictions)

DWLS §904(1)

  • Misdemeanor Fine/Jail/Comm Svc: Up to 93 days jail; up to $500 fine, or both.
  • Licensing: Mandatory additional under §904(10), (11) and (12)
  • Plate conf: None. (Cancel upon notice by officer)
  • Immob: None
  • Reg Deny: None
  • Forf: None

Knowing Allowed Someone to DWLS §904(2)

  • Misdemeanor Fine/Jail/Comm Svc: Up to 93 days jail; up to $500 fine, or both.
  • Licensing: Mandatory additional under §904(10), (11) and (12)
  • Plate conf: None. (Cancel upon notice by officer)
  • Immob: None
  • Reg Deny: None
  • Forf: None

DWLS Causing Death §904(4)

  • Felony Fine/Jail/Comm Svc: Prison up to 15 years; $2,500-$10,000 fine, or both.
  • Licensing: Minimum 1 year revocation/denial
  • Plate conf: Required
  • Immob: Required up to 180 days, unless forfeited.
  • Reg Deny: None
  • Forf: Permissive

DWLS Causing Serious Injury §904(5)

  • Felony Fine/Jail/Comm Svc: Prison up to 5 years; $1,000-$5,000 fine, or both.
  • Licensing: Minimum 1 year revocation/denial
  • Plate conf: Required
  • Immob: Required up to 180 days, unless forfeited.
  • Reg Deny: None
  • Forf: Permissive

Knowingly Allowed Someone to DWLS Causing Death §904(7)

  • Felony Fine/Jail/Comm Svc: Prison up to 5 years; $1,000-$5,000 fine, or both.
  • Licensing: None
  • Plate conf: None
  • Immob: None
  • Reg Deny: None
  • Forf: None

Knowingly Allowed Someone to DWLS Causing Serious Injury §904(7)

  • Felony Fine/Jail/Comm Svc: Prison up to 2 years; $1,000-$5,000 fine, or both.
  • Licensing: None
  • Plate conf: None
  • Immob: None
  • Reg Deny: None
  • Forf: None

Michigan DUI Criminal Sentencing, 2nd Offense or 1 prior 904 suspension within 7 years

Summary of Michigan OUIL / OWI / DWI / UBAL Criminal Laws
Criminal Sentencing / Administrative Consequences – Repeat Offender
(Driving While Suspended Convictions)

DWLS §904(1)

  • Misdemeanor Fine/Jail/Comm Svc: Up to 1 year jail; up to $1,000 fine, or both.
  • Licensing: Mandatory additional under §904(10), (11) and (12)
  • Plate conf: None. (Cancel upon notice by officer)
  • Immob: Permissive up to 180 days
  • Reg Deny: None
  • Forf: None

Knowing Allowed Someone to DWLS §904(2)

  • Misdemeanor Fine/Jail/Comm Svc: to 1 year jail; up to $1,000 fine, or both.
  • Licensing: Mandatory additional under §904(10), (11) and (12)
  • Plate conf: None. (Cancel upon notice by officer)
  • Immob: Permissive up to 180 days
  • Reg Deny: None
  • Forf: None

DWLS Causing Death §904(4)

  • Felony Fine/Jail/Comm Svc: Prison up to 15 years; $2,500-$10,000 fine, or both.
  • Licensing: Minimum 5 year revocation/denial
  • Plate conf: Required
  • Immob: Required up to 180 days, unless forfeited.
  • Reg Deny: None
  • Forf: Permissive

DWLS Causing Serious Injury §904(5)

  • Felony Fine/Jail/Comm Svc: Prison up to 5 years; $1,000-$5,000 fine, or both.
  • Licensing: Minimum 5 year revocation/denial
  • Plate conf: Required
  • Immob: Required up to 180 days, unless forfeited.
  • Reg Deny: None
  • Forf: Permissive

Knowingly Allowed Someone to DWLS Causing Death §904(7)

  • Felony Fine/Jail/Comm Svc: Same as 1st offense.

Knowingly Allowed Someone to DWLS Causing Serious Injury §904(7)

  • Felony Fine/Jail/Comm Svc: Same as 1st offense.

Michigan DUI Criminal Sentencing, 4th Offense or 3 prior 904 suspension within 7 years

Summary of Michigan OUIL / OWI / DWI / UBAL Criminal Laws
Criminal Sentencing / Administrative Consequences – Repeat Offender
(Driving While Suspended Convictions)

DWLS §904(1)

  • Misdemeanor Fine/Jail/Comm Svc: Criminal-same.
  • Licensing: Mandatory additional under §904(10), (11) and (12)
  • Plate conf: Required
  • Immob: 90 to 180 days
  • Reg Deny: Required
  • Forf: None

Knowing Allowed Someone to DWLS §904(2)

  • Misdemeanor Fine/Jail/Comm Svc: Criminal-same.
  • Licensing: Mandatory additional under §904(10), (11) and (12)
  • Plate conf: Required
  • Immob: 90 to 180 days
  • Reg Deny: Required
  • Forf: None

DWLS Causing Death §904(4)

  • Felony Fine/Jail/Comm Svc: Criminal-same.
  • Licensing: Minimum 5 year revocation/denial
  • Plate conf: Required
  • Immob: 90 to 180 days
  • Reg Deny: Required
  • Forf: Permissive

DWLS Causing Serious Injury §904(5)

  • Felony Fine/Jail/Comm Svc: Criminal-same.
  • Licensing: Minimum 5 year revocation/denial
  • Plate conf: Required
  • Immob: 90 to 180 days
  • Reg Deny: Required
  • Forf: Permissive

Knowingly Allowed Someone to DWLS Causing Death §904(7)

  • Felony Fine/Jail/Comm Svc: Same as 1st offense.

Knowingly Allowed Someone to DWLS Causing Serious Injury §904(7)

  • Felony Fine/Jail/Comm Svc: Same as 1st offense.

Michigan DUI Criminal Sentencing, 5th Offense or 4 prior 904 suspension within 7 years

Summary of Michigan OUIL / OWI / DWI / UBAL Criminal Laws
Criminal Sentencing / Administrative Consequences – Repeat Offender
(Driving While Suspended Convictions)

DWLS §904(1)

  • Misdemeanor Fine/Jail/Comm Svc: Criminal-same.
  • Licensing: Mandatory additional under §904(10), (11) and (12)
  • Plate conf: Required
  • Immob: 1 – 3 years
  • Reg Deny: Required
  • Forf: None

Knowing Allowed Someone to DWLS §904(2)

  • Misdemeanor Fine/Jail/Comm Svc: Criminal-same.
  • Licensing: Mandatory additional under §904(10), (11) and (12)
  • Plate conf: Required
  • Immob: 1 – 3 years
  • Reg Deny: Required
  • Forf: None

DWLS Causing Death §904(4)

  • Felony Fine/Jail/Comm Svc: Criminal-same.
  • Licensing: Minimum 5 year revocation/denial
  • Plate conf: Required
  • Immob: 1 – 3 years
  • Reg Deny: Required
  • Forf: Permissive

DWLS Causing Serious Injury §904(5)

  • Felony Fine/Jail/Comm Svc: Criminal-same.
  • Licensing: Minimum 5 year revocation/denial
  • Plate conf: Required
  • Immob: 1 – 3 years
  • Reg Deny: Required
  • Forf: Permissive

Knowingly Allowed Someone to DWLS Causing Death §904(7)

  • Felony Fine/Jail/Comm Svc: Same as 1st offense.

Knowingly Allowed Someone to DWLS Causing Serious Injury §904(7)

  • Felony Fine/Jail/Comm Svc: Same as 1st offense.

Expungement of many criminal convictions is possible under Michigan law. However, the statute governing expungement in Michigan specifically precludes a person from even seeking to have a conviction for a traffic offense (including drunk driving) set-aside. The statute also precludes a Judge from setting aside such a conviction.

Expungement of Michigan criminal convictions can be a very complicated process, so it is critical to speak with an experienced lawyer to expunge a criminal conviction.