First Offense DUI cases in Macomb County Courts

If the evidence in a 1st offense Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) case, after careful examination, is strong enough to survive a legal challenge, then the case has to be "worked out." Here's an honest overview of how I often work things out in a typical 1st offense DUI case in Macomb County that cannot otherwise be "beaten" or dismissed because of a defect or defects in the evidence:

• 42-2 District Court in New Baltimore, handling cases arising in New Baltimore, Chesterfield Township, Lenox Township, and New Haven:

  Fines and Costs, with a distinct possibility of NO PROBATION, if the case is handled properly.

• 41-A District Court in Shelby Township, handling cases arising in Utica, Macomb, and, of course, Shelby Township:

  Fines and Costs, with a distinct possibility of NO PROBATION, if the case is handled properly.

• 41-A District Court in Sterling Heights, handling cases arising in Sterling Heights:

  Fines and Costs, with the possibility of getting anything from NO PROBATION, to Non-Reporting Probation, to a standard, 1-year term of Reporting Probation.

• 38^th District Court in Eastpointe, handling cases arising in Eastpointe:

  Fines and Costs, with the possibility of getting anything from NO PROBATION, to Non-Reporting Probation, to a standard, 1-year term of Reporting Probation.

• 37^th District Court in Warren (and Centerline), handling all cases arising in either Warren or Centerline:

  Fines and Costs, with the possibility of getting anything from NO PROBATION, to Non-Reporting Probation, to a standard, 1-year term of Reporting Probation.

• 39^th District Court in Roseville, handling all cases arising in either Roseville or Fraser:

  Fines and Costs, with the possibility of getting anything from NO PROBATION, to Non-Reporting Probation, to a standard, 1-year term of Reporting Probation.

• 42-1 District Court in Romeo, handling all cases arising in Armada, Armada Township, Bruce Township, Memphis, Ray Township, Richmond, Richmond Township, Romeo and Washington Township:

  Fines and Costs, with the possibility of getting anything from NO PROBATION, to Non-Reporting Probation, to a standard, 1-year term of Reporting Probation.

• 41-B District Court in Clinton Township, handling all cases arising in Mt. Clemens, Harrison Township, and Clinton Township:

  Fines and Costs, with the possibility of getting anything from NO PROBATION, to Non-Reporting Probation, to a standard, 1-year term of Reporting Probation.

• 40^th District Court in St. Clair Shores, handling all cases arising in St. Clair Shores:

  Fines and Costs, with the possibility of getting anything from NO PROBATION, to Non-Reporting Probation, to a standard, 1-year term of Reporting Probation.

Of Course, within this general framework, all kinds of exceptions abound. In pretty much every one of these Courts, if the person lives on the other side of the State, or has to move away for a job, or is going to school in another part of the State, none of these Judges is going to stand in the way and screw that up. Other factors, like a person’s age, also play a role on how things turn out. A person whose first Criminal Contact occurs in their mid 30’s, or later, can be expected to have a less restrictive term of Probation compared to someone in their early or mid-20’s.

Anyone who has made even the briefest of inquiries has probably already learned that Macomb is the “easiest,” or most lenient (I'd prefer to say "forgiving," or "understanding") of the Court systems followed by Wayne County, while Oakland County is far and away the “toughest” (meaning least forgiving or least understanding).

In the final analysis, a First Offense is a big deal, but not necessarily a catastrophe. Hiring the right Lawyer is essential. With the right Representation, a First Offense DUI can be made into a manageable mistake, where a person can stay out of Jail, and avoid having a simple instance of bad judgment turn into an utter nightmare. Finding the right Lawyer requires doing some research. It requires reading what a Lawyer has written on his or her blog or website beyond just repeating the same, tired old slogans that they're “tough, aggressive, and experienced.” It requires taking the time to sift through the various websites out there, and contacting a Lawyer who really speaks “to” you, and not merely “at” you.