Calhoun County DUI Lawyers
The Battle Creek DUI lawyers at the Nichols Law Firm are leaders in criminal defense throughout Michigan with a strong record of success in drunk driving defense. They use a team approach and combine their skills, experience and knowledge in order to find the right solution for your case. They make it their goal to keep you up to date and advised at all times so you can make informed decisions as your charges are being resolved. The trust you place in your attorney is important, which is why the Nichols Law Firm works diligently to make you feel comfortable throughout the complex legal process. Upon retaining the Nichols Law Firm, the Calhoun County DUI lawyers immediately begin preparing for court and building an aggressive defensive strategy. Take advantage of the initial consultation offered by the Nichols Law Firm by calling (888) 470-3255. You may also fill out the consultation form found on the left side of this page.
Michigan has established certain penalties for the drunk driving violations known as Operating While Impaired (OWI) and Operating While Visibly Impaired (OWVI). These offenses can also be referred to as DUI (Driving Under the Influence). To be charged with a DUI, the driver must have a blood or breath alcohol content of .08% or higher. You can be charged with an OWVI if your alcohol content level is less than .08% and you are exhibiting visible signs of impairment while operating your vehicle. The penalties for a DUI conviction are serious and can cause a lot of immediate and long term stress. This is why it is important to retain a Battle Creek DUI lawyer now who can guide you through the court process and fight to have your charges reduced or dismissed.
For a first DUI violation, you could face fines between $100 to $500, a 30-day driver’s license suspension, and even jail time. A first time offender could also be required to complete up to 360 hours of community service or install an ignition interlock device in their vehicle. Depending on the facts surrounding your individual case, jail time could be as long as 93 days.
A second DUI violation could lead to a $200-$1,000 fine and a jail sentence anywhere from 5 days to 1 year. In addition to these penalties, second offenders could risk license plate confiscation, ignition interlock device installation, vehicle forfeiture and a one year driver’s license suspension.
A third DUI violation carries with it a fine of $500 to $5,000 and 1-5 years in jail. If you have your 3rd DUI charge, you also face a minimum 5 year driver’s license suspension and 60 to 180 days of mandatory community service. In addition to these penalties, offenders could also risk mandatory vehicle forfeiture, license plate confiscation and may be required to install the ignition interlock device in their vehicle.
For DUI violations with aggravating factors the severity of penalties increase substantially. Should a driver be convicted of a DUI causing death, the fine could be $2,000-$10,000 and up to 15 years in prison. If the DUI incident caused the death of a police officer or fireman, the fine could also be $2,000-$10,000 with a mandatory jail sentence of up to 20 years in prison.
Due to the serious nature of penalties for DUI convictions, it is important that you retain a Calhoun County DUI lawyer to fight your charges in court.
Mike Nichols has practiced law for over a decade now and has become one of Michigan’s most skilled and experienced attorneys in criminal law, with a focus on DUI defense. Attorney Mike Nichols authored the Michigan OWI Handbook for West Publishing and teaches other lawyers frequently about the science being used in criminal cases. He has experience litigating numerous complex contract, civil and criminal cases in addition to being the Chair of the Ingham County Bar Association Criminal Law Section. Much of his knowledge and experience can be attributed to his membership in the Legislative Committee for the Family Law Council of the State Bar of Michigan which he reported on from the state capitol. Battle Creek DUI lawyer Mike Nichols is also a member of the National College of Drunk Driving Defense.
Wendy Schiller-Nichols knew from the moment she founded the Nichols Law Firm in 2006 that she wanted to establish a reputation of success built on hard work and professionalism. She has experience in medical malpractice, personal injury, dog bites, family law and criminal defense. Throughout her career, she has practiced by one philosophy that has earned her successful results: work hard for your client. After earning her undergraduate degree at the University of Memphis, she graduated from the Thomas M. Cooley Law School with distinction.
Calhoun County DUI lawyer Karen Phillips focuses her practice on family law and criminal defense including DUI offenses. She earned her Juris Doctorate at the Thomas M. Cooley Law School as an Honor Roll student and was on the Dean’s List throughout several semesters, graduating cum laude. She takes her legal representation just as seriously, constantly learning and educating herself in criminal law. She has also been exposed to high and low level felony cases.
Joshua M. Covert has valuable experience in many types of Criminal Law, however, his practice focuses mainly on defending those charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and other drugs. Before joining the team at the Nichols Law Firm, he served as a law clerk while working on complex medical marijuana issues that eventually led to the dismissal of possession charges before trial even began. With the Nichols Law Firm, he recently co-counseled a DUI 2nd trial that resulted in the jury returning to a verdict of not guilty. In another case, he was able to negotiate a plea agreement that resulted in one client’s felony manufacturing and delivery charges being reduced to simple use of marijuana. Calhoun County DUI lawyer Joshua Covert graduated Cum Laude at the Thomas M. Cooley Law School and designed a curriculum for his Master of Laws (LLM) degree that focuses on law and medical marijuana.
The Battle Creek DUI lawyers at the Nichols Law Firm work diligently for their clients, pursuing the best possible outcome in every case. If you have been charged with suspicion of drunk driving, call them now at (888) 470-3255 or fill out the consultation form on the left side of this page.