Building an Effective DUI Defense Case

DUI Defense in Grand Rapids

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, approximately three out of ten Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related accident at some point in their lives.

There are a number of acronyms used by Grand Rapids DUI law firms for describing drinking and driving, including operating while intoxicated (OWI), operating while visibly impaired (OWVI), driving under the influence (DUI), or driving while intoxicated (DWI). Driving while impaired is a crime in all states.

DUI in Grand Rapids is serious. Stringent penalties applied to individuals convicted of Grand Rapids DUI charges reflect a growing intolerance of drunk driving by law enforcement and local communities.

Grand Rapids Drunk Driving Defense

Building a Grand Rapids DUI defense begins with the traffic stop by law enforcement. While police questioning is intimidating, you have a right to remain silent and the right to speak with a Grand Rapids DUI lawyer. Providing name, contact, and insurance information to police is necessary, answering additional questions or making admissions is not.

If you have already been charged with DUI in Grand Rapids, you likely submitted to a blood alcohol level (BAC) test. By driving, you give implied consent to chemical tests if you are suspected of driving impaired. You are considered intoxicated if your BAC reading exceeds .08 percent, and impaired if your BAC is at least .04, but less than .08.

There are many DUI law firms in Grand Rapids. Retaining a reputable DUI lawyer in Grand Rapids is critical to obtaining a good result for your case. Prosecution of an OWI charge may include:

• Arrest / arraignment
• Booking
• Preliminary hearing
• Trial
• Sentencing

Penalties for first time OWI offenses can easily include:

• License suspension
• Penalty fines
• Jail time
• Community service hours
• Points accorded to your driver’s license

Repeat OWI offenders face steadily more serious penalties, especially with injury to others or property damage resulting from driver impairment. Sentencing is largely dependent on the circumstances of the case, your OWI history, and the ability of a Grand Rapids DUI lawyer to provide excellent representation on your behalf.

Experienced Grand Rapids DUI law firm

If you are considering DUI lawyers, The Law Office of Jeffrey J. O’Hara can help. Jeffrey J. O’Hara is an established DUI attorney in Grand Rapids with experience and strategies to handle your OWI matter. We can let you know what to expect and work to get you the most positive outcome for the facts of your case.

Contact us for Grand Rapids DUI help

Call today for skilled assistance with drunk driving defense in Grand Rapids. The Law Office of Jeffrey J. O'Hara is a well-practiced DUI law firm in Grand Rapids. Contact us at (616) 235-2000 for a free consultation or fill out our online contact form.