Criminal Law

1. Can I refuse to take a breath test or blood test for alcohol?

Yes, but such a refusal has consequences.  There are two (2) different types of breath tests.  The first, is requested at the scene of a police stop and is known as a PBT (preliminary breath test).  The PBT utilizes an alco-sensor unit to "roughly" estimate the amount of alcohol in your blood by measuring the alcohol content of your breath.  To be valid, there is a waiting time of fifteen minutes to be observed where nothing is allowed to be in a test subject's mouth.  Police officers routinely use this test to "confirm" their own impressions, usually gained by employing a series of "field sobriety tests". 

A refusal of the PBT test, if requested by a police officer, who has reasonable cause to believe that the individual is either a) intoxicated or, in the case of a minor, (b) has been consuming alcohol, will result in a civil infraction.  If the Court finds that the person has refused the police officer's request to take a PBT test and that the police officer did have reasonable cause to make such a request, then a fine of between $75 and $200 will likely be assessed by the Court.  There are no points on an individual's record for refusing to take the PBT test and the refusal is not admissible by itself in a subsequent Court proceeding.

The second breath test is a test used in motor vehicle cases and is requested by the police after an individual has been arrested for a drinking and driving violation.  This second test, commonly known as a Data Master, is performed at the police department or jail.  The Data Master is a much more reliable test than the PBT test administered at the scene.  Refusal to take the Data Master test after an individual has been arrested is a much more serious matter and unless the individual can demonstrate that it was medically impossible (asthma, panic attacks, etc.) such a refusal will result in six (6) points being assessed on the individual's master driving record and will also result in the loss of the individual's Michigan driving privileges for a period of one (1) year.  Additionally, points will be assessed for two years on the person's Michigan bad driving record.  Due to the severe consequences of refusing to take the Data Master, it is strongly suggested that in most cases this test not be refused.

Blood tests or urine tests may also be employed as the chemical test of choice that a police officer may ask an arrested individual to take.  It is up to the arresting police officer to choose the test that the arrested individual must take or face the previously mentioned consequences of "a refusal" and a violation of Michigan's "implied consent law."  Once an arrested driver takes the test of choice, however, he or she may request that the police officer give them the opportunity to take a second test (of the arrested individual's choice) "to verify" the accuracy of the test chosen by the arresting police agency.  For example, if you have been requested to take a Data Master test by the police, you may request to be taken to the nearest hospital to have your own independently administered blood test.  It is usually a good idea to do this and the police must honor your request.  Such an independent test, however, will be at the arrested individual's own expense.

2. I have just been arrested for DWI; what should I do?

Be cooperative. No points are scored for being obnoxious. After having taken a test for the volume of alcohol in your blood (usually a Data Master test) you should request an independent verification of your blood alcohol by asking the police to take you to the nearest hospital for an independent blood test that you will have to pay for to verify the results of the Data Master test.

You should also call your family and let them know where you are and the local procedure for bonding you out once your BAC level is acceptable (usually at a level of 0.02). Do not discuss the facts of your case with anyone, and that includes other individuals in your jail cell as well as correction officers or police officers at the jail facility. Individuals you have conversations with at the jail could end up being witnesses against you at a trial based on what they claim you told them.

3. This is my second DWI; what is going to happen to me?

If convicted in Michigan, you face a minimum mandatory five (5) days in jail, of which 48 hours must be consecutively served.  Depending on your overall master driving record, the county of your arrest, and the facts of the event in question, the minimum jail sentence could be as high as 30 days and the maximum jail time could be up to one year.  Your bond will be generally much higher than a first offense, typically in the range of $500 to $2000, and license sanctions include six (6) points on your master driving record and suspension of your driving privileges in Michigan for one (1) year.  If this second offense occurred more than seven years after your first than your license will only be suspended for 180 days with a restricted license available after 30 days.  You definitely will need a lawyer to represent you to protect your rights on this very serious charge.

4. What should I do if I think I may be under the influence and have caused an accident that resulted in injury or death to another person?

First, regardless of your belief that you may be intoxicated, do all you can to help anyone injured. Thereafter, consume food to slow the ingestion of any alcohol in your stomach. Cooperate with authorities but make no statements to anyone about your conduct until you have consulted with an attorney.

5. I have just been arrested, what happens next?

If not told why you were arrested, ask the police or corrections officer the charges for which you were arrested.  You should be allowed to telephone a family member or a friend for purposes of arranging for your bond and for legal representation.  If alcohol was involved in the incident leading to your arrest you may be required to stay at the jail until your blood alcohol level is very low (usually 0.02).  If not bonded out you will be detained for an arraignment before a Judge or Magistrate where you will be informed of what the charges are against you.  Also at your arraignment your bond will be set and if you cannot afford an attorney a Court appointed attorney will be appointed for you if the offense for which you were arrested could lead to your incarceration.  You will also be notified at your arraignment of your next scheduled court matter when your appearance is required.

After you have been arraigned, once your bond has been posted, you can usually be released from jail (absent being charged with a very serious charge).  Most bonds are cash or surety bonds meaning that you can deposit the full amount of cash for the bond or post ten (10) percent of the bond with the Court and the Court will return ninety (90) percent of the amount of money you have posted with the Court after you have completed all obligations regarding your case.  Once released from jail, it is very important that you contact an attorney before talking with anyone.  While in jail, talk to no one about your case until you have consulted with your attorney since anything you say to another person at the jail might come back to haunt you in the form of a witness testifying against you in a subsequent Court hearing.