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.

Charged Criminally During the Pandemic? Geherin Law Group Can Protect Your Rights!

Every day since the Pandemic began, Dan Geherin and his team field calls from people who are suffering through a personal legal problem, many of them amplified by the crisis. They have questions like these:

“Am I going to jail during the Pandemic?”

“Do I have a right to a trial during the Pandemic?”

“How do we appear for court during the current shutdowns?”

If you’re facing a first-time OWI arrest or other criminal charges during the Pandemic, and have questions or concerns, please consider the combination of extensive criminal/license experience of the Geherin Law Group.  We’re available 24/7 to help! We’re dedicated to our clients! Our DUI attorney in Ann Arbor will fight zealously to protect and restore your reputation and driver’s license.

Want Your Driver’s License Reinstated in Michigan?

If a loved one or you have lost your Michigan Driver’s License due to drunk driving convictions in Washtenaw County or Southeastern Michigan, and you want to discuss options, please call or email GLG Michigan 24/7 at (734) 263-2780 or online info@GLGMichigan.com.

Going Through a Personal Legal Crisis? Geherin Law Group Can Help You!

The Pandemic has affected every virtually aspect of our lives, whether that be social or economic, or impact on family or society. If the Pandemic has resulted in a personal legal crisis for you, you’ll need of a dedicated, specialized and caring law firm to help.

Daniel T. Geherin, owner of Geherin Law Group in Ann Arbor (GLG Michigan), is a former prosecutor and board-certified criminal attorney with over 24 years’ experience. He has prosecuted/defended/litigated nearly every type of criminal case, including criminal sexual conduct offenses, homicide cases, narcotic violations, domestic violence charges, embezzlement and fraud investigations, and theft offenses.

Need Your Driver’s License Reinstated in Michigan?

If a loved one or you have lost your Michigan Driver’s License due to drunk driving convictions in Washtenaw County or Southeastern Michigan, and you want to discuss options, please call or email Dan Geherin, DUI attorney in Ann Arbor 24/7 at (734) 263-2780 or online info@GLGMichigan.com.

Even during the Pandemic, to us, it’s Personal.

How to Prepare a Habitual Offender for Their License Appeal Hearing

 

The sorts of things a habitual offender petitioner must prove at the license appeal hearing include:

• His or her alcohol and/or substance abuse problems, if any, are under control and are likely to remain under control.
• He or she represents a low or minimal risk of again driving drunk and/or drugged, or repeating his or her past abusive behavior regarding alcohol and/or drugs.
• He or she has the ability and motivation to drive safely and within the law.
• He or she has the minimum period of abstinence.

Learn more here!

Want Your Driver’s License Reinstated in Michigan?

If a loved one or you have lost your Michigan Driver’s License due to drunk driving convictions in Washtenaw County or Southeastern Michigan, and you want to discuss options, please call or email GLG Michigan 24/7 at (734) 263-2780 or online info@GLGMichigan.com.

How do I know if I’m considered a habitual offender?

Under section 303 of the Michigan Vehicle Code [the Code; MCL 257.303] certain combinations of alcohol and/or drug-related convictions lead to a presumption that a person is a "habitual offender." The law requires the Secretary of State to revoke that person's driver license. The law also requires the Secretary of State to deny a license for that person until he or she meets certain conditions.

Learn more here!

Want Your Driver’s License Reinstated in Michigan?

If a loved one or you have lost your Michigan Driver’s License due to drunk driving convictions in Washtenaw County or Southeastern Michigan, and you want to discuss options, please call or email GLG Michigan 24/7 at (734) 263-2780 or online info@GLGMichigan.com.

Get Back on The Road Lawfully with Help from Geherin Law Group

In January and February 2021, Geherin Law Group (GLG Michigan) had 12 hearings with the Michigan Secretary of State with clients who had their licenses revoked due to multiple drunk driving offenses. Listed by case number only, here are the 12 cases involving our clients, all of whom proved their sobriety and walked out with their Michigan driver’s license reinstated:

20-47093

20-50681

20-50652

20-48859

20-51965

20-51200

20-51697

20-51479

20-51363

20-52416

20-47810

21-53092

These generic numbers may not mean a whole lot to you, but to the clients behind them, they mean absolutely everything! These cases signify a victory; a reward for their hard work; and proof that they can be trusted with a driver’s license. More importantly, they provide the clients with the ability to go back to work, to take care of their families, and to enjoy the ultimate freedom that comes with being a lawfully licensed Michigan driver again.  

Want Your Driver’s License Reinstated in Michigan?

If a loved one or you have lost your Michigan Driver’s License due to drunk driving convictions in Washtenaw County or Southeastern Michigan, and you want to discuss options, please call or email GLG Michigan 24/7 at (734) 263-2780 or online info@GLGMichigan.com.

Want Your Driver’s License Reinstated in Michigan?

Frequently, clients try to “go it alone” and get back their license without an attorney.  Or as often, people hire attorneys who are inexperienced in this field. What happens then? The Petitioner is DENIED and must wait another long year to try again. The Michigan Secretary of State can be a difficult, confusing, bureaucratic agency filled with red tape and gray guidelines. Those who have lost their license often get stuck in a never-ending maze and can’t get out----until they hire an authentic, experienced and successful license appeals specialist to help.  

Learn more!

Contact a Licensing Lawyer in in Ann Arbor Today! 

If a loved one or you have lost your Michigan Driver’s License due to drunk driving convictions in Washtenaw County or Southeastern Michigan, and you want to discuss options, please call or email GLG Michigan 24/7 at (734) 263-2780 or online info@GLGMichigan.com.