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Thursday, July 3, 2014
By Michael Nichols
Categories: Drunk-Driving, OWI
Driver license suspensions and sanctions are the most well-known and discussed collateral consequence of a conviction for drunk or drugged driving in Michigan. The East Lansing-based lawyers at the Nichols Law Firm know all the twists and turns inside and out. However, there is a long list of collateral consequences that may accompany an OWI conviction. First, any conviction under the Michigan Motor Vehicle Code (MVC) is not currently eligible for expungement under Michigan law. This means that the conviction can never be removed from your criminal record no matter how much time has passed or how clean your criminal record otherwise is.
Second, a criminal conviction can have a lasting impact on your career. Certain professional licenses will be denied if you have been convicted of an alcohol-related offense- even if that offense is a misdemeanor. In Michigan, those with misdemeanor or felony convictions cannot become a notary public. Additionally, there are a myriad of immigration consequences for an OWI conviction. If you are in the United States on a visa, an OWI conviction may jeopardize your ability to remain in the United States or your ability to renew your visa or apply for permanent residency or citizenship. If you are an American citizen, an OWI conviction may impact your ability to enter other countries. For example, Canada may deem you "criminally inadmissible" for an OWI conviction even if you were convicted of misdemeanor OWI and it is your only conviction.
An OWI conviction can also prevent you from obtaining a Concealed Weapons Permit (CPL) Under current Michigan law, you cannot obtain a license to carry a concealed pistol if you have been convicted of the following within the last three years: OWI, operating a snowmobile, aircraft, or ORV while intoxicated. You cannot obtain a license to carry a concealed pistol if you have been convicted of the following within the past 8 years: OWI 2nd, reckless driving, or failure to stop at the scene of an accident.
You must fully consider the consequences of pleading guilty to a drugged or drunk driving charge. For THE attorneys who will consider all collateral consequences and remain committed to results contact the Nichols Law Firm at (517) 432-9000.