Leading OWI Criminal Defense Attorneys in Michigan 

COMMON CRIMES THAT OCCUR OVER HOLIDAYS

The holiday season is always a time of increased activity and stress. This increased activity and stress can lead to problems such as criminal misconduct. The increases in buying and selling goods open the door for fraud and identity theft crimes, while shoplifting also commonly occurs during the busy holiday season. The gathering of family that typically takes place during the holidays is also often accompanied by alcohol, which can have unintended consequences such as domestic violence, assault, and operating while intoxicated (OWI). OWI is the official name for a drunk driving or “DUI” charge in the state of Michigan. If you are planning to travel or gather with family and friends during the holiday season, then it is important to enjoy your time together responsibly. Alcohol and stress can be the unfortunate catalysts for problems, and you should be mindful of the consequences of your actions. Local and state police departments are aware of the potential for increased crime during the holidays and routinely take measures to help curb potential problems before they occur.

INCREASED HOLIDAY OWI PATROLS

Local and state police departments across Michigan plan and implement various measures to help prevent our roadways from drunk drivers. It is important to be mindful of the extra police patrol that will be on the roads as their main objective is to catch those who are driving under the influence of alcohol or another drug. One such measure that is taken yearly is known as Operation C.A.R.E. (Crash Awareness and Reduction Efforts) Lifesaver Weekend. This weekend takes place on the last full weekend before Christmas each year. Operation C.A.R.E. started in 1977, first as a collaboration between the Michigan State Police and the Indiana State Police to reduce traffic crashes and fatalities on the road during holidays. It has now grown into a nationwide initiative that takes place on multiple weekends during the year to help maintain safer roadways through increased patrols and enforcement. 

HOW TO AVOID INCREASED OWI PATROLS

There are several ways that you can avoid increased OWI patrols. The first thing is to decide whether or not you plan to drink before you leave your house. If you do plan to drink, then it is important to arrange for appropriate transportation whether it is through a designated driver, a taxi, or a ridesharing service such as Uber or Lyft. Taxis and Ubers can be expensive during busy times such as the holidays, but the money spent is money towards peace of mind that you will get home in one piece and will not put yourself or anyone else in danger on the road. Unfortunately, we don’t always make the right decisions and may face arrest and prosecution for an OWI charge. If you get arrested for an OWI during the holiday season, then it is important to understand what your rights and responsibilities are. The first thing you should do after an arrest is to call an experienced criminal defense attorney for guidance.

HOW AN EXPERIENCED ATTORNEY CAN HELP

An experienced attorney can help evaluate your case’s strengths and weaknesses to decide the best way to approach the defense of your case. Since most OWI cases usually only involve police officers as the only witnesses, a thorough evaluation of the series of events is critical to determining the correct defense approach. Most OWI cases come with a video recording from the patrol car showing how the stop took place, and what the interaction was like with the police officer. Each step the officer took during an OWI investigation can be examined and questioned. If the blood alcohol results appear incorrect because of a problem with the breathalyzer, then an attorney can help you connect with an experienced expert witness who can assist in pointing out and explaining the problems to a judge and/or jury. If you have legal questions, then call us at Zeineh Law so we can help!

ZEINEH LAW PROUDLY OFFERS A FREE CONSULTATION

If you are facing an OWI charge, then it is important to speak to an experienced criminal defense attorney immediately. At Zeineh Law, we are proud to offer FREE consultations to all prospective clients. If you are in the process of choosing your attorney or are looking for an honest assessment of your legal situation, then our attorneys are available to help you now. Feel free to contact us anytime at (517) 292-7000 or online. Our advice is free, and our conversations will always be protected by the attorney-client privilege. Make your first choice towards freedom with a consultation with an experienced criminal defense attorney at Zeineh Law today.