OWVI Defense Attorneys Grand Rapids, Michigan

OWVI Defense Attorneys Grand Rapids, Michigan, will help you fight your OWVI charges.

Anyone facing drunk driving charges should also be concerned with DUI or OWI charges. However, many people overlook the fact that an OWVI conviction, Operating While Visibly Impaired, can result in a criminal conviction and severe penalties. Prosecutors will have to prove that you cannot operate a vehicle safely because you are alcohol-impaired in order to convict you of OWVI. You could get sentenced by questionable evidence from routine traffic violations or sobriety tests – police do not need a blood or breathalyzer test for this charge.

In Grand Rapids, Michigan, facing charges for Operating While Visibly Impaired (OWVI) is a serious legal matter that demands attention and skilled legal representation. While many are aware of the consequences of DUI (Driving Under the Influence) or OWI (Operating While Intoxicated) charges, the implications of an OWVI conviction are often underestimated. However, it’s crucial to understand that an OWVI carries with it the weight of a criminal conviction and can lead to significant penalties that can have lasting effects on your life.

West Michigan OWVI Defense Lawyers

Contact the best OWVI Drunk Driving Defense Attorneys Grand Rapids, Michigan – John Engman & Associates. We are one of the leading legal firms in Michigan; our defense lawyers will vigorously defend anyone charged with OWVI. Even if you do not get charged with Operating While Intoxicated, you could still face Operating While Visibly Impaired charges, including fines, jail time, suspension of your license, and more. Protect yourself with an experienced law team that will protect your rights. We will fight for you throughout the entire process. We have decades of experience navigating the West Michigan Courts defending cases similar to yours. Don’t hesitate to call – the sooner we get started on your case, the better for you.

Understanding OWVI Charges

1. Legal Definition: OWVI is defined as operating a vehicle while visibly impaired by alcohol or other intoxicants. This means that your ability to drive was visibly affected to the extent that it was noticeable to others, such as law enforcement.
2. Evidence for Conviction: Unlike DUI or OWI charges, where concrete blood alcohol content (BAC) levels are often used as evidence, OWVI convictions can be based on more subjective observations. This includes evidence gathered from routine traffic violations or field sobriety tests.
3. No Need for Blood or Breathalyzer Test: It’s important to note that for an OWVI charge, police do not need the results of a blood or breathalyzer test to proceed. The charge can be based solely on the observations made by the officer at the scene.

The Difference between OWVI, OWI or DUI

You can get charged with OWI (Operating While Intoxicated) charges when you drive and your blood alcohol content is over 0.08%. With OWVI charges, you do not have to be over a certain blood alcohol content percentage; you just need to be considered noticeably impaired by the police officer who stopped you. Therefore, you will want to contact OWVI Defense Attorneys in Grand Rapids, Michigan, right away. You want the legal team of John Engman & Associates on your side fighting for you.

Consequences of an OWVI Conviction

1. Criminal Record: An OWVI conviction is a criminal offense and will be recorded on your criminal history. This can have long-term implications for employment, housing, and other areas where background checks are common.
2. Penalties: The penalties for an OWVI can be severe and may include fines, driver’s license suspension, and even jail time. The severity of the penalties often depends on the specifics of the case, including any prior offenses.
3. Impact on Daily Life: A conviction can affect your ability to drive, thereby impacting your daily commute to work or school. It can also lead to increased insurance rates and the requirement to attend alcohol education or treatment programs.

Michigan OWVI Penalties

When you want an experienced OWVI Defense Attorney Grand Rapids, Michigan, to help, you understand the codes and consequences of an OWVI. According to the Michigan Vehicle Code, the criminal charges you face for driving while you are visibly impaired are:

OWVI’s First Conviction: You are looking at fines as much as $300, 93 days of jail time, plus 360 hours serving community service, possibly both. Your Driver’s license can get suspended, immobilization of your vehicle, and as many as four license points. Not to mention the possibility of “driver responsibility fees.”

OWVI’s Second Conviction:  You are looking at fines anywhere from $200 to $1,000, 5 to 365 days of jail time, plus 90 hours serving community service. Your license can get revoked for at least a year, your car immobilized, get 4 points on your license, and face “driver responsibility fees.”

OWVI’s Third Conviction: This will be a felony charge. You are facing fines up to $5,000 plus 1 to 5 years in prison, or a combination of probation and jail time for as many as 180 days, your license could get revoked, immobilization of your vehicle, and 4 points, “drivers responsibility fees,” and more.

Protect yourself by contacting OWVI Defense Attorneys Grand Rapids, Michigan John Engman & Associates for OWVI charges. Don’t gamble with your future.  

Our OWVI Defense attorneys will fight hard to protect your freedom, reputation, and future. To request a consultation with one of our OWVI attorneys in Grand Rapids, MI, call John Engman & Associates, P.C. at (616) 454-5222.