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Friday, March 15, 2013

Michigan State Police have stepped up drunk driving enforcement as a spring surprise for Michigan citizens

By Michael Nichols
Categories: Drunk-Driving, OWI

The Michigan State Police are again looking extra hard for drunk drivers - which means your future is in the gunsights of law enforcemet starting now and running through April 8th. East Lansing drunk driving attorney Mike Nichols says it means that arrest numbers will swell at the potential cost of your right to be left alone and free from government intrusion: "I see so many officers who start 'building a case' for a drunk driving arrest as soon as they see even the most minor traffic infraction like a seat belt violation - when these crackdown campaigns begin."

In a recent public media release, the Michigan State Police Office of Highway Safety Planning director literally brags about the department's efficiency at finding ways to make arrests:

"It doesn't matter if you're out rooting for your favorite team at the local sports bar or celebrating the luck of the Irish at the corner pub, if alcohol is part of the festivities make sure you designate a sober driver to get you home safely," said Michael L. Prince, OHSP director. "Extra officers will be out on patrol, and if you're caught driving drunk you will be arrested."

Mr. Prince goes on to brag: 

        In Michigan, it is illegal to drive with a BAC of .08 or higher, although motorists can be arrested at any BAC level if an officer believes they are impaired. Motorists face enhanced penalties if arrested for a first-time drunk driving offense with a .17 BAC or higher.

In other words, police have the power to take away your liberty and put you in a room with iron bars for a "reasonable" time before you see a judge so long as the officer has a subjective belief that you are "impaired" whether your BAC is below the legal limit.

The announcement from the MSP can be found here:     

          http://michigan.gov/msp/0,4643,7-123--296959--,00.html

For the lawyer who is not afraid to stand up to the Michigan State Police or any other agency who wants to take your good name with a criminal conviction for life: call Mike Nichols at 517.432.9000 or mnichols@nicholslaw.net

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Peer Recognition

Mike Nichols is a national leader in drunk driving defense. He is a member of the Forensic Committee and Michigan delegate to the National College for DUI Defense. He is also a Sustaining Member of the College. Nichols is also a founding member of the Michigan Association of OWI Attorneys; a member of the American Chemical Society; an associate member of he American Academy of Forensic Science, Adjunct Professor of Forensic Evidence in Criminal Law and OWI Law and Practice at Cooley Law School. He is also author of the West OWI Practice book and several chapters in other books on science and the law.

Mike Nichols is recognized by his peers in Michigan as a “SuperLawyer” in DUI/Criminal Defense. Nichols has also been asked to speak at conferences by groups such as the NCDD; Various Bar Associations in other states.