The Best DUI Attorney in Ann Arbor Will Fight for Your Rights

Daniel T. Geherin, a former prosecutor and board-certified criminal trial attorney, is the owner and founder of the Geherin Law Group, PLLC, an Ann Arbor based law firm which exclusively represents individuals in criminal justice matters.  His firm handles hundreds of DUI/OWI cases in and around Ann Arbor every year, and has a long and extensive track record of success. Dan is also the author of The Michigan Drunk Driving and Driver’s License Restoration Handbook and is a recognized Michigan driver’s license specialist.  

In August 2022, Geherin Law Group was ranked a Tier 1 firm for DUI/DWI defense in Ann Arbor by U.S. News - Best Lawyers^® "Best Law Firms".  For more than 40 years, Best Lawyers has been regarded—by both the profession and the public—as the most credible measure of legal integrity and distinction in the United States. Being recognized by Best Lawyers symbolizes excellence.  Inclusion in Best Lawyers is based on a rigorous peer-review survey comprising more than 12.2 million confidential evaluations by top attorneys. Their founding principle remains unchanged since 1981 and forms the basis of our transparent methodology: the best lawyers know who the best lawyers are. As always, no fee or payment to participate is allowed.

Learn more about how to find the best DUI attorney in Ann Arbor here.

We’re available 24/7, and dedicated to our clients. Our DUI attorney in Ann Arbor will fight zealously to protect and restore your reputation and driver’s license. For more information, schedule an appointment, or call us 24/7 at (734) 263-2780. 

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.

OWI Expungement Coming Soon to Michigan!

FINALLY!! After years of legislative battles; starts and stops; teases and seismic changes in criminal expungement laws, it appears Michigan will finally permit expungement of a first-offense OWI conviction. 

Learn more about what that could mean for you here!

If you or a loved one has been convicted of an OWI in Washtenaw County or Southeastern Michigan, and you want to discuss options on how to expunge that conviction, please call or email Dan, a board-certified criminal trial attorney, and his team 24/7 at (734) 263-2780.

“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.