Michigan DUI Penalties

What Penalties Am I Facing?
Following a first time DUI conviction in the state of Michigan, your license will be suspended for 30 days and restricted for an additional 150 days. You face fines of $500 plus court costs, driver responsibility fees of $1,000.00 per year for two years, plus additional statutory fines and probation oversight costs. Both the police and prosecution may seek costs from you, and your vehicle could be forfeited or immobilized. Probation may be imposed for up to two years, and you may be forced to participate in community service or a court ordered work program. Six points will be added to your driving record. You may have to take alcohol education courses. Jail time is also a possibility up to 93 days, depending on the severity of your case.

Penalties for "impaired"
In the majority of first time offender cases, prosecutors offer a plea to the lesser included offense of "impaired driving." This is still a DUI conviction under Michigan law, and it carries nearly identical penalties. The difference? The charge only carries 4 points, the license sanction drops to 90 days restricted driving (without a mandatory suspension), the driver responsibility fees drop to $500 per year for two years, and the fine drops from $500 to $300.

Can I really go to jail?
Yes, but not in most courts unless you violate probation. In the vast majority of jurisdictions, judges never incarcerate a first time offender, even if they go to trial and lose. There are notable exceptions to this rule, however, and a few judges regularly sentence first time offenders to serve jail time without regard to family and work obligations.