Michigan's New Super Drunk Law

Author: Michael Risko
Date: 04/07/2010

In 2008, Michigan’s Legislature passed a revision to the state’s Drunk Driving Law to address situations where the convicted driver has an abnormally high bodily alcohol content (BAC). The revision, signed into law by Governor Granholm in January, 2009, is being referred to as Michigan’s “Super Drunk” Law.
While the legal threshold for operating while intoxicated is currently .08 grams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood or per 210 liters of breath, the Super Drunk Law addresses drivers who have a BAC of 0.17 or higher. Drivers convicted of being super drunk will be subject to increased penalties including a one-year suspension of driving privileges (for a first offender), increased fines and an increase in potential jail time (from 93 days to 180 days). Super drunk drivers will be required to complete a one-year alcohol rehabilitation program.
Michigan’s Super Drunk Law becomes effective October 31, 2010. With these stiffer penalties, along with the currently applicable $2,000 worth of driver responsibility fees, an individual accused of operating while intoxicated should not attempt to navigate the court system without qualified representation.
For answers to your questions regarding Michigan OWI laws, or if you, a friend or a family member has been charged with OWI, please feel free to contact one of our experienced criminal defense attorneys.