Oakland County DUI/OWI Defense Attorney

Looking for an Oakland County DUI lawyer? For more than 30 years, our firm has represented clients facing DUI and OWI charges across Oakland County — in Troy, Novi, Rochester Hills, Farmington Hills, Clarkston, and everywhere in between. We know these courts because we’re in them, week after week, not because we’ve read about them somewhere. If you or someone you care about has been arrested for OWI anywhere in Oakland County, here’s what you actually need to know, and how we can help.

Why Court Experience Matters for an Oakland County DUI Lawyer

An OWI case doesn’t play out the same way from one Oakland County courtroom to the next. The judge, the prosecutor’s office, and even the arresting department’s habits with body cameras and testing procedures all shape how a case unfolds. That’s why we think experience with the specific court your case landed in matters just as much as experience with DUI law in general — and it’s a big part of why clients hire us.

Here’s what you’re actually getting when you bring us your case:

More than 30 years handling DUI and OWI cases in Oakland County’s district and circuit courts
Published, transparent fees — you’ll know what this costs before you hire us, not after
A real review of the police report, body cam footage, and testing procedures in your case — not a rubber stamp
Straightforward challenges to the traffic stop, the field sobriety tests, and the breath or blood results, where the facts support it
Honest communication about what you’re actually facing, not what you want to hear

Whether this is your first offense or you’ve been through this before, we’ll walk you through exactly what’s at stake and what your realistic options are.

The Courts We’re In, Week After Week

We’re in the 52-3 District Court in Rochester Hills, the 52-1 District Court in Novi, and the 52-4 District Court in Troy often enough that we know exactly what to expect walking in. We also appear regularly in the 52-2 District Court in Clarkston and the 35th District Court serving Plymouth and Canton.

Read more about what to expect in the 52-3 District Court in Rochester Hills or the 52-4 District Court in Troy. We also serve DUI/OWI clients throughout Rochester Hills, Clarkston, Plymouth, and Canton.

What Actually Happens After an OWI Arrest

After an OWI arrest — the legal term in Michigan for what most people call a DUI, defined under MCL 257.625 — you’ll typically be arraigned in the district court where the arrest happened. Bond conditions often include alcohol testing, travel restrictions, or a no-alcohol requirement. From there, the case moves through pretrial hearings, possible motions, and either a negotiated resolution or trial.

Oakland County courts take these cases seriously, and judges will often order alcohol education, counseling, or regular testing even for someone with no prior record. In some cases, a sobriety or drug treatment court program offers a genuinely useful alternative path — the 52-4 District Court in Troy, for example, operates a Drug Therapy Court (DTC) for eligible participants. We can tell you more about how sobriety courts across the Metro Detroit area work, and whether one might make sense for your case. Where we can, we push to reduce unnecessary conditions and get you the most favorable outcome available.

What You’re Actually Facing

Michigan law escalates penalties based on your prior record and how high your BAC was.

For a first offense OWI, you’re looking at:

Fines and court costs
Up to 93 days in jail (in practice, rare without aggravating circumstances)
Community service
License suspension or restriction
Points on your driving record

If your BAC was 0.17 percent or higher, you’re facing the enhanced “High BAC” penalties — longer license restrictions and a mandatory ignition interlock. High BAC only applies to a true first offense; a prior OWI conviction within the last 7 years takes that enhancement off the table, though it may mean you’re actually facing second-offense penalties instead. For a closer look at what a first offense really involves, see our full overview of first offense DUI cases in Michigan.

A second offense — generally a new OWI within seven years of a prior conviction — carries a mandatory minimum of 5 days in jail or 30 days of community service, plus potential license revocation. We go into more detail in our overview of license consequences after a second OWI.

A third offense is charged as a felony and carries the most serious consequences of the three — we handle these cases too, but they’re a different conversation with different stakes.

Can We Get the Charge Reduced or Dismissed?

Not every arrest ends in an OWI conviction. Sometimes a charge can be reduced to something less serious, like Operating While Visibly Impaired. Other times, a procedural error or constitutional violation supports dismissal outright.

We look closely at:

Whether the traffic stop itself was lawful
Whether the field sobriety tests were properly administered
Whether the breath or blood testing equipment was actually calibrated and maintained
Whether your rights were respected during questioning

Even when dismissal isn’t realistic, the right negotiation can mean a reduced charge or better sentencing terms — the kind that actually protects your record and your license. Finding that leverage and using it is most of the job.

What an OWI Does to Your License

A conviction triggers an automatic sanction from the Michigan Secretary of State, separate from whatever the court itself orders — suspension, restriction, or revocation, depending on your record.

For repeat offenses, that revocation can last a year or more, and getting your license back requires a formal Michigan driver’s license restoration appeal. We’ll walk you through both the criminal case and the licensing side together, so you’re making decisions with the full picture in front of you — protecting your ability to drive is usually one of the most important parts of the whole case.

What to Do If You’ve Just Been Charged

The first few days matter. Don’t discuss your case with anyone but your attorney. Follow your bond conditions. Start gathering documents related to the arrest and your prior record.

Most importantly, talk to an Oakland County DUI lawyer as soon as you can. The earlier we’re involved, the sooner we can request evidence, file the right motions, and get ahead of each stage of the process instead of reacting to it.

Talk to an Oakland County DUI Lawyer Today

A DUI charge can affect your job, your finances, and your freedom — but you don’t have to deal with it alone. We’ve represented clients across Oakland County for decades, and we know how to fight for an outcome that lets you move forward.

We offer free, confidential phone consultations Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, at 586-465-1980, with an after-hours answering service available outside those times. You can also reach us through the contact form or chat box on our site.

Frequently Asked Questions About Oakland County DUI Cases

Will I lose my job because of a DUI arrest?

An arrest alone won’t automatically cost you your job, but some professions require disclosure or have their own licensing rules. Tell us about your specific situation and we can talk through how it might be affected.

Can I refuse a breath or blood test in Michigan?

Michigan has an implied consent law. Refusing a chemical test after arrest triggers its own one-year license suspension and additional penalties — even if you’re never convicted of the OWI itself.

What happens if this is my second OWI in Oakland County?

A second OWI carries harsher consequences than a first — a mandatory minimum of 5 days in jail or 30 days of community service, and possible license revocation depending on your record. See our full breakdown of license consequences after a second OWI.

How long does a DUI case take in Oakland County?

Most cases wrap up within a few months, but it varies based on court scheduling, any motions filed, and whether the case ends up going to trial.