OWI

In The News

Thursday, July 3, 2014

Does the Lawyer Representing You Know the Collateral Consequences of Settling your Drunk-Drugged Driving Charge Before Giving Up Your Right to a Jury Trial?

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.

Need a Lawyer?

Get an online consultation or call 517-432-9000

Online Consultation »

Do the Medicines You Take Criminalize Your Driving?

Family Law encompasses a broad range of issues that occur between family members. Our team can help you in all of these areas...

More »

Personal Injury / Traumatic Brain Injury Experts

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is one of the most frightening and serious forms of injury...

More »

Criminal Defense

We are skilled, experienced and committed to resuts in both the serious and misdemenor criminal case

Personal Injury

We have successfully represented clients with serious and traumatic injuries

What our clients are saying

more testimonials »

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.