DUI Attorney in Roseville, MI

As Roseville DUI attorneys with more than 30 years of experience in Macomb County courts, we know the 39th District Court well. This court hears DUI and OWI cases for both Roseville and Fraser. The courthouse sits on Gratiot Avenue between 12 and 13 Mile Roads, and despite its modest size, it carries a large caseload — morning dockets often fill the courtroom to standing room only.

Michigan’s drunk driving law, MCL 257.625, covers everything from a first-offense DUI through felony third-offense charges. The penalties and options differ significantly depending on prior convictions, so understanding where a case falls under the law is the first step.

The Judges at the 39th District Court

Three judges currently sit on this bench: Honorable Joseph F. Boedeker, Judge Alyia Marie Hakim, and Judge Kathleen Tocco. Each brings their own background and approach, and knowing the courtroom — not just the law — is part of what makes local experience valuable in this court.

Each judge also spent years practicing law before joining the bench — Judge Boedeker in Macomb County government roles, and Judges Hakim and Tocco in private practice — before being appointed or elected to the district court.

First Offense DUI: What to Expect

A first-offense DUI in this court typically does not result in jail time. There are still real consequences to prepare for, though — license sanctions, fines, and court-ordered probation among them.

That’s where we come in. Our clients know exactly what to expect at every stage, including the mandatory alcohol assessment described below.

Second Offense DUI Cases

A second-offense DUI within 7 years carries a mandatory minimum of 5 days to 1 year in jail, although jail can be avoided if the judge orders probation with 30 to 90 days of community service instead. How a case is prepared and presented makes a real difference in the outcome of a 2nd offense charge.

Being intelligently proactive from the start also matters. We walk every second-offense client through exactly what the law requires, so there are no surprises later in the case.

License Revocation and Sobriety Court

A second DUI conviction within 7 years also triggers a mandatory license revocation from the Secretary of State. That’s a much more serious consequence than the suspension that follows a first offense, and one that eventually requires a separate license restoration case to resolve. Our firm handles both sides of this, which matters when the two are connected.

The 39th District Court also runs an active sobriety court program, and it’s worth discussing whether it fits a given case. Beyond the therapeutic help provided by these programs, a person can obtain a restricted license almost right away, rather than being unable to drive for what is almost always the better part of 3 years. Attorney Jeffrey Randa’s post-graduate coursework in addiction studies, described below, plays directly into helping clients evaluate that option and prepare accordingly.

Probation and the Alcohol Assessment at the 39th District Court

The 39th District Court has its own in-house probation department. Probation officers here are the ones supervising probationers and making sure the court’s orders are followed.

Avoiding a Probation Violation

For most people, staying in compliance with probation isn’t a real problem. For some, though, testing positive for alcohol or another substance — or picking up a new charge while still on probation — turns straightforward probation into a probation violation.

Those situations are avoidable with the right preparation from the start, which is exactly what we walk our clients through.

Preparing for the Mandatory Alcohol Assessment

Michigan law requires an alcohol assessment in every DUI case, and the results play a real role in how a judge structures probation — including whatever testing or counseling is ordered. Attorney Jeffrey Randa completed post-graduate coursework in addiction studies, which gives our firm a genuine edge in preparing clients for this critical part of the case.

Understanding both the legal and clinical sides of what the assessment measures means our clients can avoid getting hammered with all kinds of burdensome and expensive counseling and treatment that isn’t needed.

Contact a Roseville DUI Lawyer Today

However a DUI case unfolds, our clients deserve a lawyer standing next to them at sentencing who knows this courthouse — not someone reading from a script. A case handled well from the very start can look very different by the end, whether it’s a first DUI or a repeat offense.

If you’re facing a DUI in Roseville or Fraser, we handle cases in the 39th District Court regularly and are glad to talk through what to expect. Free confidential phone consultations are available Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM: call 586-465-1980. An after-hours answering service is available, or reach us through the contact form or chat box on our website.

Roseville DUI & Criminal Defense Lawyer