How Long After a Drunk Driving Arrest Will I Have a Court Date?

Some prosecutor’s offices are so backed up that a 6-month waiting period between an OWI arrest and an official charge isn’t uncommon. Some courts are so behind and short-staffed that court dates are being set months into the future. This becomes extraordinarily stressful for clients who were planning a move or who have travel plans. And what about those clients who had their driver’s license confiscated? How long is it reasonable for them to wait before their OWI cases are resolved? Unfortunately, the answer to that question isn’t comforting:  months and months, depending upon the police agency and court.  What if that person wants to fight their case and have a trial?  They may end up waiting a year or more due to the current Covid case backload, and perhaps even indefinitely.  

Find out how long after your drunk driving arrest that you’ll have a court date here.

Need Your Driver’s License Reinstated in Michigan?

If you’re facing a criminal traffic offense in Washtenaw County or Southeastern Michigan, and you want to discuss options, please call or email Dan Geherin, drunk driving attorney in Ann Arbor, 24/7 at (734) 263-2780 or online info@GLGMichigan.com.

Get a Fair Trial with the Help From Drunk Driving Attorney, Dan Geherin

When it comes to OWI arrests and procedures, it’s fair to say that every single police agency, prosecutor’s office, and court in Southeastern Michigan operates differently. In Washtenaw County, for first-offense drunk driving arrests, a driver is typically released from the station, hospital or jail and is notified of criminal charges weeks (or sometimes months) later.  However, if there’s an “aggravating factor” such as a high blood alcohol level, a prior conviction or an injury accident, police will often seek a warrant for the person’s arrest or request an immediate Arraignment. In Livingston County and parts of Wayne County (including Plymouth), even a true first offender may expect to see a Judge or Magistrate for an Arraignment the day after an OWI arrest.  

Find out how long after your drunk driving arrest that you’ll have a court date here.

Need Your Driver’s License Reinstated in Michigan?

If you’re facing a criminal traffic offense in Washtenaw County or Southeastern Michigan, and you want to discuss options, please call or email Dan Geherin, drunk driving attorney in Ann Arbor, 24/7 at (734) 263-2780 or online info@GLGMichigan.com.