What Is a High BAC or “Super Drunk” DUI?

A High BAC DUI in Michigan applies when a driver is accused of operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol content of 0.17 percent or higher. This is not a separate crime but an enhanced version of Michigan’s OWI law that carries more serious penalties. A High BAC charge can increase your exposure to jail, treatment requirements, and license restrictions, which is why early legal guidance is so important.

Michigan uses the term OWI, short for Operating While Intoxicated, but most people refer to the charge as DUI. High BAC cases are treated with added seriousness because they involve significantly elevated alcohol levels under Michigan law.

Penalties After a High BAC or “Super Drunk” DUI

A High BAC charge carries enhanced penalties that can affect your freedom, license, finances, and daily life. These penalties reflect Michigan’s view that elevated blood alcohol levels create additional risk. Understanding these consequences early helps clients make informed decisions about next steps.

  • Increased jail exposure compared to standard OWI charges
  • Higher fines and court-related costs
  • Mandatory alcohol treatment or rehabilitation programs
  • License suspension for 1 year, with restricted privileges after 45 days, and installation of an ignition interlock device
  • Points added to your driving record, impacting insurance and employment

Defending High BAC Charges in Michigan

A High BAC charge does not guarantee a conviction. Michigan DUI cases involve science, procedure, and strict legal standards, and many cases include evidence that can be challenged. With the right strategy, weaknesses in the prosecution’s case may reduce or eliminate certain penalties.

  • Challenging the legality of the traffic stop
  • Questioning the accuracy or maintenance of breath or blood testing equipment
  • Reviewing whether proper procedures were followed during testing
  • Examining dash cam or body cam footage for inconsistencies
  • Identifying medical or dietary issues that may elevate BAC readings
  • Evaluating whether constitutional rights were violated

Why Does Local Representation Matter in High BAC Cases?

High BAC charges must be handled in Michigan, and each county and district court has its own expectations, policies, and tendencies. Local representation provides guidance that accounts for what works in Metro Detroit courts and what does not.

The firm regularly appears in district courts across Oakland, Wayne, and Macomb County, giving clients insight into local procedures, judicial preferences, and negotiation practices. This helps clients avoid unnecessary penalties and ensures that every step of the process is handled correctly.

Success in a High BAC DUI case is often measured by what does not happen to you. With experienced representation, clients can work toward minimizing consequences and protecting their future.

Contact Our Michigan High BAC DUI Defense Lawyers

If you were charged with a High BAC or Super Drunk DUI in Michigan, the right guidance can make all the difference in how your case moves forward. Jeffrey Randa and Associates offers decades of Michigan DUI defense experience, practical strategies, and supportive representation tailored to the seriousness of High BAC charges. Contact our team today to schedule a consultation.

For over 30 years, Jeffrey Randa and Associates has represented clients across Metro Detroit and throughout Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb County, while also assisting individuals nationwide and around the world who face charges originating in Michigan.

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Super Drunk DUI Defense

What Is a High BAC or “Super Drunk” DUI?

A High BAC DUI in Michigan applies when a driver is accused of operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol content of 0.17 percent or higher. This is not a separate crime but an enhanced version of Michigan’s OWI law that carries more serious penalties. A High BAC charge can increase your exposure to jail, treatment requirements, and license restrictions, which is why early legal guidance is so important.

Michigan uses the term OWI, short for Operating While Intoxicated, but most people refer to the charge as DUI. High BAC cases are treated with added seriousness because they involve significantly elevated alcohol levels under Michigan law.

Penalties After a High BAC or “Super Drunk” DUI

A High BAC charge carries enhanced penalties that can affect your freedom, license, finances, and daily life. These penalties reflect Michigan’s view that elevated blood alcohol levels create additional risk. Understanding these consequences early helps clients make informed decisions about next steps.

  • Increased jail exposure compared to standard OWI charges
  • Higher fines and court-related costs
  • Mandatory alcohol treatment or rehabilitation programs
  • License suspension for 1 year, with restricted privileges after 45 days, and installation of an ignition interlock device
  • Points added to your driving record, impacting insurance and employment

Defending High BAC Charges in Michigan

A High BAC charge does not guarantee a conviction. Michigan DUI cases involve science, procedure, and strict legal standards, and many cases include evidence that can be challenged. With the right strategy, weaknesses in the prosecution’s case may reduce or eliminate certain penalties.

  • Challenging the legality of the traffic stop
  • Questioning the accuracy or maintenance of breath or blood testing equipment
  • Reviewing whether proper procedures were followed during testing
  • Examining dash cam or body cam footage for inconsistencies
  • Identifying medical or dietary issues that may elevate BAC readings
  • Evaluating whether constitutional rights were violated

Why Does Local Representation Matter in High BAC Cases?

High BAC charges must be handled in Michigan, and each county and district court has its own expectations, policies, and tendencies. Local representation provides guidance that accounts for what works in Metro Detroit courts and what does not.

The firm regularly appears in district courts across Oakland, Wayne, and Macomb County, giving clients insight into local procedures, judicial preferences, and negotiation practices. This helps clients avoid unnecessary penalties and ensures that every step of the process is handled correctly.

Success in a High BAC DUI case is often measured by what does not happen to you. With experienced representation, clients can work toward minimizing consequences and protecting their future.

Contact Our Michigan High BAC DUI Defense Lawyers

If you were charged with a High BAC or Super Drunk DUI in Michigan, the right guidance can make all the difference in how your case moves forward. Jeffrey Randa and Associates offers decades of Michigan DUI defense experience, practical strategies, and supportive representation tailored to the seriousness of High BAC charges. Contact our team today to schedule a consultation.

For over 30 years, Jeffrey Randa and Associates has represented clients across Metro Detroit and throughout Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb County, while also assisting individuals nationwide and around the world who face charges originating in Michigan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a high BAC, super drunk DUI charge be reduced to a lesser offense?

Yes, in many cases, a High BAC DUI can be reduced to a standard OWI or even an impaired driving charge. This often depends on the strength of the evidence, your BAC level, your criminal history, the court where your case is heard, and the know-how of your lawyer. An experienced DUI attorney can negotiate with prosecutors to seek a reduction, which could lessen the penalties and long-term impact on your record and driving privileges.

Can I be charged with a super drunk DUI if I was asleep in my car in Michigan?

Yes, you can still be charged with a Super Drunk DUI even if you were asleep in your car and were not actively driving. Michigan courts broadly apply the concept of operating a vehicle. If the engine was running, or if you had control over the vehicle in any capacity, even while parked, you could face charges. However, these cases are often more defensible and should be reviewed by an experienced DUI defense attorney immediately.

What happens if I refuse a breath or blood test during a DUI stop in Michigan?

Refusing a chemical test in Michigan after any DUI stop triggers an automatic license suspension under the state’s implied consent law. This is separate from your criminal case and can happen even if you’re not convicted. Also, the refusal could be used against you in court. However, there are ways to challenge the suspension and the admissibility of the refusal.

Can you get a restricted license after a High BAC DUI in Michigan?

Yes, you can get a restricted license after a High BAC or Super Drunk DUI in Michigan, but only after completing a mandatory 45-day suspension. You must install an ignition interlock device and meet all court and Secretary of State requirements. A DUI attorney can guide you through the process to help you regain limited driving privileges as quickly and smoothly as possible.