For every 100,000 residents in Michigan, about 266 have been arrested for driving under the influence. While Michigan certainly doesn’t have the highest percentage of DUIs in America, it certainly doesn’t have the lowest, either.
Being charged with a DUI can result in criminal charges, license suspension, and hefty fees. If you are being charged with a DUI in Detroit, it’s important that you seek legal representation.
When meeting with lawyers in Detroit about a DUI, you’re going to need five key documents. These documents will help your lawyers collect all of the facts and build the best case possible.
Read on to learn more about what these five documents are and where to acquire them.
What Constitutes a DUI in Detroit?
Detroit drivers are expected to abide by Michigan’s state driving laws. That means that if you are driving with a BAC of 0.8 you are above the legal limit. A BAC of 0.17 or higher is considered a high BAC and will result in more serious charges.
Note that driving under the influence of drugs, including some prescription medications, can also result in a DUI. If you have any amount of cocaine in your body when pulled over, you will receive a DUI. In some cases, prescription medications that affect your ability to drive, like Ambien and some anti-anxiety medications, can also lead to a DUI.
If you are under the age of 21 and have a BAC of 0.2 or higher, you will receive a DUI. Because DUIs are so common for drivers between the ages of 16 and 20, your license can be suspended for the mere possession or purchase of alcohol.
Note that in the state of Michigan, the official charge for intoxicated driving is “OWI,” which stands for operating while intoxicated. On your ticket and arrest record, you will see the charge OWI, although DUI is a commonly used and widely recognized term for the same crime.
Five Documents to Bring Your DUI Lawyers in Detroit
If you have received a DUI (or OWI) in Detroit, your first step is to hire a lawyer. Before meeting with your lawyer, make sure that you are well-prepared. Let’s talk about the documents your lawyer will need on hand and where you can acquire them.
1. Arrest Record
Your arrest record will include details about the driving incident including your BAC at the time of being pulled over. This will also include details about how your BAC was taken and whether or not you agreed to take a BAC test when asked. Finally, your arrest record will make note of the ticket you received and any other relevant documents.
In order to receive a copy of your arrest record, contact the police precinct responsible for your arrest.
2. List of Witnesses
If possible, create a list of people who witnessed the incident including anyone you may have been with before driving, anyone in the car, and any bystanders. Include as much information as you can. Ideally, you will give your lawyer a list that includes witnesses’ names, phone numbers, and addresses.
Having witnesses can help build your case, especially if you are the victim of involuntary intoxication. It is also important to have witnesses if an accident occurred that was not your fault in spite of your intoxicated state.
3. Medical Records
If you believe that any of your medications or a medical condition affected your ability to drive, you will want to acquire your medical records. This is especially important if you believe that a medication affected the outcome of your BAC test. These medical records need to include information about your medications or condition, how they impact your ability to drive, and whether or not it is medically safe for you to operate a vehicle.
To acquire your medical records, contact your primary care doctor or another representative at your primary care facility. They should be able to locate all relevant information including prescriptions and relevant appointment notes. Make sure that they send you official copies that are admissible in court.
4. Criminal Records
If you have a criminal record, the prosecutor in your case will likely dig it up and use that information against you in court. It is important that your lawyer is aware of your criminal background and prepare to fight back. Your criminal record will include any prior misdemeanor charges, felony charges, and convictions or arrests for DUIs.
Most criminal records in the state of Michigan are public and accessible online. If you have been arrested or charged in other states, you may have to go through those states’ government agencies in order to get a complete record.
5. Driving Record
DUIs aren’t the only thing that can affect your driving record. Traffic violations ranging from speeding to reckless driving can stay on your driving record for years.
The cleaner your driving record is, the better your DUI court case will go. Bring your driving record with you when you meet with your lawyer so they can make sure that you don’t have unpaid tickets. If you’ve taken any defensive driving courses, bring your defensive driving certification, as well.
To access your driving record, you will need to complete a Record Lookup Request form through the Michigan Department of State.
Let Dailey Law Firm Represent You
If you’ve been charged with a DUI in Detroit, you’re going to need to find lawyers in Detroit. Without a lawyer, you run the risk of a higher ticket, a longer license suspension, and a bigger black mark on your driving record.
Dailey Law Firm is proud to defend the drivers of Detroit, Michigan. We begin with a free, no-contract consultation to determine the basic facts of your case. From there, you can decide if we’re the right defense lawyers for you.
Contact us today to begin working with us.