Oakland County DUI Attorney

If you’re facing a drunk driving charge in Oakland County, Michigan, you need the guidance of an experienced Oakland County DUI lawyer.

At Jeffrey Randa and Associates, we have decades of experience handling DUI cases throughout Oakland County and the Greater Detroit area. Our firm is known for its deep knowledge of Michigan DUI laws, its relationships with local courts, and our aggressive, intelligent defense strategies that can help protect your license, your freedom, and your future.

About Jeffrey Randa and Associates

Since 1993, Jeffrey Randa and Associates has been representing individuals in DUI cases across the Metropolitan Detroit area of Michigan with a focus on client-centered, forward-looking legal defense. We know how the local courts in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb and the surrounding counties handle DUI cases, and how to get the best results in them

Our decades of local experience, combined with a results-driven strategy allows us to safeguard our clients’ futures.

What sets our firm apart is our deep understanding of the connection between legal issues and personal recovery. Jeffrey Randa’s advanced education in addiction studies enhances our ability to approach DUI and related cases with empathy, insight, and working knowledge.

This is important, because the majority of first-time DUI offenders do NOT have any kind of alcohol problem, but the courts will always take a “better safe than sorry” approach. We can protect you from being sent to get help for a drinking problem you don’t have.

On the flip side, if your relationship to alcohol or other substances has become troublesome, we can guide you to the right kind of help that will benefit both you, as a person, and your DUI case, as well.

Understanding DUI Charges in Michigan

Over 11,600 people were killed because of DUIs in 2020, resulting in one person dying every 42 minutes and a nationwide repeat offense rate of 30% among those convicted.

Facing an OWI charge in Michigan (the actual term is “Operating While Intoxicated,” or “OWI,” for short) can be overwhelming, and understanding the basics of these charges is the first step toward building a strong defense. The state takes DUI offenses seriously, and penalties vary depending on the circumstances and whether it’s a first or repeat offense. Here’s what you need to know about DUI charges:

  • DUI in Michigan applies when a person operates a vehicle while impaired by alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both.
  • The legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for most drivers is set at 0.08%, with lower limits for commercial drivers and drivers under the legal drinking age.
  • Penalties may include license suspensions, revocations, fines, community service, mandatory alcohol treatment programs, and possible jail time.
  • Enhanced penalties apply if aggravating factors exist, such as high BAC levels, prior DUI convictions, accidents causing injury, or driving with minors in the vehicle.
  • Michigan law also covers impaired driving related to drugs, which carry the same consequences as alcohol-related DUIs.

Understanding these key points can help you grasp the seriousness of DUI charges and the importance of an experienced defense.

The ultimate goal in every DUI case is to either get the matter dismissed entirely, or, if the evidence is strong enough, to avoid as many of the legal penalties and negative consequences as possible. No matter what, success in a DUI case is best measured by what does NOT happen to you.

At Jeffrey Randa and Associates, we focus on navigating the complexities of DUI law to protect your interests and achieve the best and most lenient possible outcome in your case.

DUI Cases We Handle

Our firm represents clients in a wide range of DUI-related cases, each requiring a tailored defense strategy. Our attorneys are experienced in handling both first-time offenses and complex, high-stakes situations.

We regularly defend clients against charges involving:

  • First-time DUI offenses. Including standard operating while intoxicated (OWI) cases
  • Repeat offenses. Second, third, or subsequent DUI charges that may be charged as felonies
  • High BAC arrests. Often referred to as “Super Drunk” cases under Michigan law
  • Drugged driving (OWPD). DUIs involving prescription medications, marijuana, or other controlled substances
  • Underage DUI. Charges under Michigan’s “Zero Tolerance” law for drivers under 21
  • DUI with injury or death. Serious charges involving bodily harm or fatal accidents
  • Commercial driver DUIs. CDL holders facing additional penalties and career impacts

No matter what kind of DUI charges you’re facing, we understand the consequences and are prepared to fight for the most favorable result possible.

At Jeffrey Randa and Associates, we build a custom, intelligent defense tailored to the circumstances of your case, helping you protect your record, your license, and your future.

Hire a DUI Lawyer: Why Local Representation Matters

When you’re facing DUI charges, hiring a qualified defense attorney is essential, but hiring a local DUI lawyer can make all the difference. DUI laws are enforced statewide, but how they’re applied and prosecuted can vary greatly from one jurisdiction to another.

At Jeffrey Randa and Associates, our deep roots in Oakland County and Greater Detroit allow us to deliver a strategic, locally informed defense that considers not just the law but how it’s applied right here in Oakland.

Our local team is familiar with the procedures, preferences, and personalities that govern courts like all of the 52nd District Courts (Clarkston, Novi, Rochester Hills and Novi), the 48th District Court in Bloomfield Hills, the 47th District Court in Farmington Hills, and the 44th District Court in Royal Oak. This means we know how each judge handles DUI cases and what arguments are most effective, giving us a stronger understanding of how to best approach your case.

At Jeffrey Randa and Associates, we understand the legal landscape, and we use that insight to protect your rights and fight for the most favorable outcome.

FAQs

Do DUI Convictions Show Up on a Background Check Forever?

Yes, a DUI conviction permanently stays on your criminal record and background check unless it’s expunged. While some employers only review records from the past several years, others conduct more extensive checks. This can affect job applications, housing, loans, and professional licensing. Michigan now allows certain first-time DUI convictions to be expunged after a waiting period, but the process is complicated.

Can I Be Charged With DUI if I Was Sleeping in My Parked Car?

Yes, you can be charged with a DUI if you were sleeping in a parked car. In Michigan, if the police believe you had operational control of the vehicle, they can arrest you. For instance, if the keys were in the ignition and you were in the driver’s seat, you may be charged. These cases can be defensible, especially if the vehicle wasn’t running or if you were trying to avoid driving while impaired.

How Does a DUI Arrest Affect a Professional License in Michigan?

A DUI arrest or conviction can lead to the review of your professional license or disciplinary action, especially for nurses, doctors, lawyers, teachers, and other licensed professionals. Licensing boards often require self-reporting and could conduct an investigation related to your substance use, or impose sanctions, especially if the incident involves repeat offenses or substance abuse concerns. Our job is to help such clients by being proactive, and not just reactive.

Can I Challenge the Accuracy of a Breathalyzer Test in Court?

Yes, you can challenge the accuracy of a breathalyzer test in court. Breathalyzer results aren’t always accurate, Issues can arise things like include improper calibration, faulty equipment, lack of officer certification, problems with the collection, handling or testing of a blood sample, or medical conditions that skew results. Our DUI attorneys can investigate any such potential issues, and, if appropriate, do things like requesting maintenance records, properly cross-examining the arresting officer, and even bringing in an expert witnesses.

Take the First Step Toward Protecting Your Future

At Jeffrey Randa and Associates, we’re ready to bring decades of experience, local insight, and proven defense strategies to every case we handle. We’ll make sure that you get the very best results possible in your DUI case

Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation, done over the phone, right when you call. We are very friendly people who will be glad to answer your questions, explain things, and even compare notes with anything some other lawyer has told you.

Oakland County, MI DUI Law Resources

Oakland County

Oakland County DUI Attorney

If you’re facing a drunk driving charge in Oakland County, Michigan, you need the guidance of an experienced Oakland County DUI lawyer.

At Jeffrey Randa and Associates, we have decades of experience handling DUI cases throughout Oakland County and the Greater Detroit area. Our firm is known for its deep knowledge of Michigan DUI laws, its relationships with local courts, and our aggressive, intelligent defense strategies that can help protect your license, your freedom, and your future.

About Jeffrey Randa and Associates

Since 1993, Jeffrey Randa and Associates has been representing individuals in DUI cases across the Metropolitan Detroit area of Michigan with a focus on client-centered, forward-looking legal defense. We know how the local courts in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb and the surrounding counties handle DUI cases, and how to get the best results in them

Our decades of local experience, combined with a results-driven strategy allows us to safeguard our clients’ futures.

What sets our firm apart is our deep understanding of the connection between legal issues and personal recovery. Jeffrey Randa’s advanced education in addiction studies enhances our ability to approach DUI and related cases with empathy, insight, and working knowledge.

This is important, because the majority of first-time DUI offenders do NOT have any kind of alcohol problem, but the courts will always take a “better safe than sorry” approach. We can protect you from being sent to get help for a drinking problem you don’t have.

On the flip side, if your relationship to alcohol or other substances has become troublesome, we can guide you to the right kind of help that will benefit both you, as a person, and your DUI case, as well.

Understanding DUI Charges in Michigan

Over 11,600 people were killed because of DUIs in 2020, resulting in one person dying every 42 minutes and a nationwide repeat offense rate of 30% among those convicted.

Facing an OWI charge in Michigan (the actual term is “Operating While Intoxicated,” or “OWI,” for short) can be overwhelming, and understanding the basics of these charges is the first step toward building a strong defense. The state takes DUI offenses seriously, and penalties vary depending on the circumstances and whether it’s a first or repeat offense. Here’s what you need to know about DUI charges:

  • DUI in Michigan applies when a person operates a vehicle while impaired by alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both.
  • The legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for most drivers is set at 0.08%, with lower limits for commercial drivers and drivers under the legal drinking age.
  • Penalties may include license suspensions, revocations, fines, community service, mandatory alcohol treatment programs, and possible jail time.
  • Enhanced penalties apply if aggravating factors exist, such as high BAC levels, prior DUI convictions, accidents causing injury, or driving with minors in the vehicle.
  • Michigan law also covers impaired driving related to drugs, which carry the same consequences as alcohol-related DUIs.

Understanding these key points can help you grasp the seriousness of DUI charges and the importance of an experienced defense.

The ultimate goal in every DUI case is to either get the matter dismissed entirely, or, if the evidence is strong enough, to avoid as many of the legal penalties and negative consequences as possible. No matter what, success in a DUI case is best measured by what does NOT happen to you.

At Jeffrey Randa and Associates, we focus on navigating the complexities of DUI law to protect your interests and achieve the best and most lenient possible outcome in your case.

DUI Cases We Handle

Our firm represents clients in a wide range of DUI-related cases, each requiring a tailored defense strategy. Our attorneys are experienced in handling both first-time offenses and complex, high-stakes situations.

We regularly defend clients against charges involving:

  • First-time DUI offenses. Including standard operating while intoxicated (OWI) cases
  • Repeat offenses. Second, third, or subsequent DUI charges that may be charged as felonies
  • High BAC arrests. Often referred to as “Super Drunk” cases under Michigan law
  • Drugged driving (OWPD). DUIs involving prescription medications, marijuana, or other controlled substances
  • Underage DUI. Charges under Michigan’s “Zero Tolerance” law for drivers under 21
  • DUI with injury or death. Serious charges involving bodily harm or fatal accidents
  • Commercial driver DUIs. CDL holders facing additional penalties and career impacts

No matter what kind of DUI charges you’re facing, we understand the consequences and are prepared to fight for the most favorable result possible.

At Jeffrey Randa and Associates, we build a custom, intelligent defense tailored to the circumstances of your case, helping you protect your record, your license, and your future.

Hire a DUI Lawyer: Why Local Representation Matters

When you’re facing DUI charges, hiring a qualified defense attorney is essential, but hiring a local DUI lawyer can make all the difference. DUI laws are enforced statewide, but how they’re applied and prosecuted can vary greatly from one jurisdiction to another.

At Jeffrey Randa and Associates, our deep roots in Oakland County and Greater Detroit allow us to deliver a strategic, locally informed defense that considers not just the law but how it’s applied right here in Oakland.

Our local team is familiar with the procedures, preferences, and personalities that govern courts like all of the 52nd District Courts (Clarkston, Novi, Rochester Hills and Novi), the 48th District Court in Bloomfield Hills, the 47th District Court in Farmington Hills, and the 44th District Court in Royal Oak. This means we know how each judge handles DUI cases and what arguments are most effective, giving us a stronger understanding of how to best approach your case.

At Jeffrey Randa and Associates, we understand the legal landscape, and we use that insight to protect your rights and fight for the most favorable outcome.

FAQs

Do DUI Convictions Show Up on a Background Check Forever?

Yes, a DUI conviction permanently stays on your criminal record and background check unless it’s expunged. While some employers only review records from the past several years, others conduct more extensive checks. This can affect job applications, housing, loans, and professional licensing. Michigan now allows certain first-time DUI convictions to be expunged after a waiting period, but the process is complicated.

Can I Be Charged With DUI if I Was Sleeping in My Parked Car?

Yes, you can be charged with a DUI if you were sleeping in a parked car. In Michigan, if the police believe you had operational control of the vehicle, they can arrest you. For instance, if the keys were in the ignition and you were in the driver’s seat, you may be charged. These cases can be defensible, especially if the vehicle wasn’t running or if you were trying to avoid driving while impaired.

How Does a DUI Arrest Affect a Professional License in Michigan?

A DUI arrest or conviction can lead to the review of your professional license or disciplinary action, especially for nurses, doctors, lawyers, teachers, and other licensed professionals. Licensing boards often require self-reporting and could conduct an investigation related to your substance use, or impose sanctions, especially if the incident involves repeat offenses or substance abuse concerns. Our job is to help such clients by being proactive, and not just reactive.

Can I Challenge the Accuracy of a Breathalyzer Test in Court?

Yes, you can challenge the accuracy of a breathalyzer test in court. Breathalyzer results aren’t always accurate, Issues can arise things like include improper calibration, faulty equipment, lack of officer certification, problems with the collection, handling or testing of a blood sample, or medical conditions that skew results. Our DUI attorneys can investigate any such potential issues, and, if appropriate, do things like requesting maintenance records, properly cross-examining the arresting officer, and even bringing in an expert witnesses.

Take the First Step Toward Protecting Your Future

At Jeffrey Randa and Associates, we’re ready to bring decades of experience, local insight, and proven defense strategies to every case we handle. We’ll make sure that you get the very best results possible in your DUI case

Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation, done over the phone, right when you call. We are very friendly people who will be glad to answer your questions, explain things, and even compare notes with anything some other lawyer has told you.

Oakland County, MI DUI Law Resources