How Everyday Mistakes Behind the Wheel Have Become Criminal Matters

In Michigan and across the country, behaviors once treated as simple traffic violations are now being prosecuted as criminal offenses. Distracted driving, failure to stop after a crash, and accidents involving suspended drivers all place motorists at significant legal risk—even when they didn’t intend to cause harm.

This shift is driven by tougher legislation targeting distraction and impairment, a rise in digital evidence, and prosecutors applying statutes more aggressively. As a result, if you’re involved in accident you may face jail time, probation, restitution, increased insurance rates, and the suspension or revocation of your driver’s license.

 

The loss of driving privileges is especially devastating. Many drivers are surprised to learn that even a minor crash can result in months or years without a license, pushing more people to pursue driver’s license restoration in Michigan. The process can be complex—requiring documentation, support letters, evaluations, and a formal hearing—making legal guidance essential.

 

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To protect yourself, avoid distractions, never drive on a suspended license, and always stay at the scene of an accident. If you’re charged with a traffic-related crime, consulting an attorney early can make a meaningful difference in the outcome.

 

If your license has been suspended or revoked, Geherin Law Group, PLLC can help you start the restoration process today.

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.

“Will My Criminal Traffic Violation Be Expunged?”

Criminal traffic violations go on both your driving and criminal records, and most cannot be expunged. Criminal traffic misdemeanors also vary in punishment. If you’re charged with a misdemeanor, you’ll likely pay a fine, lose your driver’s license, be put on probation, or in some cases, go to jail. You might be charged with a criminal traffic violation and be unaware because you weren’t arrested or taken to jail. Instead, the police officer may have just written you a citation, similar to a speeding ticket.

A felony traffic violation is an offense that’s punishable by a minimum of one year in prison. Most felony traffic offenses are punishable by 1 to 5 years in prison, with a fine of $500 to $5,000, or both. Typically, an individual is charged with a felony traffic violation after a third or subsequent DUI/OWI, or when a serious bodily injury or death results.  

Criminal traffic violations also have varying degrees of penalty points on your master driving record. Learn more 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, criminal defense attorney in Ann Arbor 24/7 at (734) 263-2780 or online info@GLGMichigan.com.

What is the Difference Between Civil and Criminal Traffic Violations?

Knowing the difference between a criminal and non-criminal traffic violation can help you decide when you might consider seeking legal help. 

Criminal traffic offenses are considered misdemeanors or, possibly, felony offenses. The following are considered criminal misdemeanor traffic violations: reckless driving, leaving the scene of an accident, failure to yield to an emergency vehicle, DWLS (driving while your license is suspended), open intoxicants, OWI, OWI High BAC, OWI 2^nd offense. The following are considered criminal felony traffic violations:  fleeing and eluding the police, unlawfully driving away a vehicle (UDAA), OWI 3^rd Offense, OWI causing serious bodily injury or death.  

Non-criminal offenses are referred to as “civil infractions” including speeding, failing to stop or yield, improper turning, careless driving. There may be several reasons why you’d want to avoid a civil infraction, because of higher insurance premiums or other fines, for example. 

Learn more 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, criminal defense attorney in Ann Arbor 24/7 at (734) 263-2780 or online info@GLGMichigan.com.