DUI Defense

Michigan OWI for CDL Holders: Protecting Your Trucking Career After a DUI

Published on: September 10, 2025 | by Barone Defense Firm

Commercial drivers spend years building careers that depend on skill, responsibility, and keeping a spotless record, and when they maintain that standard, they can earn steady livelihoods and the trust of employers.

But an OWI charge in Michigan threatens all of that, because CDL holders face not only the same DUI penalties as every driver, but also harsher licensing rules and employment consequences that can derail a trucking career overnight.

Therefore, it is critical for CDL drivers accused of OWI to work with a defense attorney who understands both the criminal penalties and the CDL-specific sanctions, so they can protect their livelihood, preserve their license, and keep their career on track.

Michigan OWI for Outside Sales Professionals: Driving & Career Ramifications

Published on: September 10, 2025 | by Barone Defense Firm

Outside sales professionals often live on the road — driving to meet clients, attending networking events, and covering a wide territory. Success depends on mobility and trust.

But an OWI charge in Michigan threatens both, because beyond the criminal penalties every driver faces, salespeople risk temporary loss of driving privileges and career setbacks that can disrupt client relationships and employer confidence.

Therefore, if you’re an outside sales professional facing an OWI, it’s essential to work with a defense attorney who understands both the legal system and the professional realities of sales careers — so you can protect your livelihood, preserve your reputation, and move forward strategically.

Do I need a DUI attorney for a first offense in Michigan?

Published on: June 5, 2025 | by Barone Defense Firm

If you’ve been charged with DUI (also known as OWI in Michigan), you might be thinking:

“It’s my first offense—I probably don’t need a lawyer unless things get really serious, right?”

This is one of the most dangerous assumptions people make after a DUI arrest.

What are the Michigan Rules of Criminal Procedure?

Published on: December 6, 2024 | by Barone Defense Firm

If you’ve been charged with a crime in Michigan, you are probably wondering what will happen to you when you go to court. Understanding the the rules of criminal procedure in Michigan will help lower your anxiety and this guide is designed to give you a basic reference about what to expect after your case gets started in court.

Also covered in this comprehensive guide to criminal procedure are the steps that the case will go through before it ever gets to court. Understanding how cases begin is essential for anyone facing criminal allegations. The following information is for Michigan state cases. For federal case procedure please see our companion article – What Are the Steps in a Federal Criminal Case?

Frequently Asked Questions About Michigan Criminal Procedure:

Intoxilyzer 9000 – Michigan’s New Breath Test Instrument

Published on: May 8, 2023 | by Patrick Barone

Effective immediately, the Intoxilizer 9000 is replacing the DataMaster DMT as Michigan’s new breath test instrument. If you are arrested for DUI in Michigan, the chances are good your breath will be tested on a 9000. If you were over the legal limit, then keep in mind that a top DUI lawyer can beat breath test results in court.

However, for a short period of time, both breath alcohol test instruments will be used. Consequently, depending on the date and time of your evidential breath alcohol test, the police may have used the outdated DMT. If this is true in your case, then be sure to hire a top DUI defense lawyer to represent you. Breath test results rendered by the DMT are inherently untrustworthy. See this article if you are not sure how to find a top Michigan DUI lawyer.

This change to the 9000 is primarily due to the age of the DMTs currently in service. Also, the inability to obtain parts for this older equipment, and MSPs desire to employ newer technology. The Intoxilizer 9000 is widely used across the United States and is often relied upon by law enforcement agencies to determine whether an individual is legally intoxicated.

Michigan DUI Penalties: What You Need to Know

Published on: October 12, 2022 | by Patrick Barone

If you’ve been arrested for DUI in Michigan, you’re likely feeling anxious and uncertain about what comes next. The penalties for a DUI conviction can be severe, but knowing what to expect can help you prepare.

In a Michigan operating while intoxicated case, also called OWI/DUI, the penalties will be based on the severity and nature of the offense, and your prior record. Possible penalties include jail time, license suspension or revocation, fines, costs, community service and probation.

Understanding DUI Penalties in Michigan

How Do I Get My DUI Blood Test Results in Michigan?

Published on: October 10, 2022 | by Patrick Barone

If you were arrested for OWI in Michigan the police may have tested either your breath or blood for the amount of alcohol. If your blood level is above the legal limit of .08 in Michigan, then you can end up losing your driver’s license and could even end up going to jail.

Your blood alcohol content (BAC) will be reported in a report. You can get your DUI blood test results by contacting the police department that arrested you for drunk driving. They may be unwilling or unable to provide you with the results.

If you can’t get your DUI blood test results from the police, then you’ll have to find out where the blood was tested, and contact the lab. Most chemical testing for a DUI involving alcohol or drugs or will tested by the Michigan State Police Forensic Lab in Lansing. If you were arrested for OWI in Oakland County Michigan, your blood was probably tested by the Oakland County Sheriff’s forensic lab.

Can You Get a DUI for Being High?

Published on: October 10, 2022 | by Patrick Barone

Many people ask us if you can get a DUI for being high. The answer is yes, you can get a DUI in Michigan for being high on Marijuana. If you use cannabis for medical or recreational purposes, you might wonder, “How do cops test for a weed DUI? Police officers will use the same kind of roadside tests used for one involving alcohol. So, from this perspective, there is little difference in a DUI with weed vs. alcohol.

What many drivers don’t realize is that you can be arrested for driving under the influence of marijuana even if you used it legally and hours earlier. Michigan law doesn’t set a legal limit for THC like it does for alcohol, so the decision to arrest often depends on the officer’s observations—things like your driving behavior, field sobriety test performance, and physical appearance. This creates a lot of legal gray areas, especially for people who use medical marijuana and may have residual THC in their system without being impaired.

Without getting to technical, one difference is that a DRE officer might be involved if the cops suspect marijuana impairment. Another difference is that there is currently no DUI breath test for weed.

Plea Bargaining in a Michigan Criminal Case

Published on: March 26, 2022 | by Patrick Barone

Michigan Criminal Defense Lawyer Explains Plea Bargaining

Attorney Patrick Barone of Barone Defense Firm is a criminal defense law firm near me that represents clients accused of sex crimes, whereby if convicted, they would probably have to add their name to Michigan's se offender registry (SORA). If you are facing criminal charges, the criminal justice system seem overwhelming. It doesn’t matter if you’re facing drunk driving, drug charges, sex crimes or white collar crimes in the State of Michigan, the same system of felony criminal procedures apply.

Many Michigan DUI charges and other criminal cases like sexual assaults, child pornography and drug crimes, are resolved through a process called plea bargaining. A plea bargain is what happens after your attorney discusses your case with the prosecutor and explains why it is appropriate to amend or reduce the charges you are facing with the court. Sometimes the reduction in charges to a lower criminal offense will lessen the impact on your drivers license and possibly jail time as well.

Preparing for Court When Pleading Guilty

Published on: March 25, 2022 | by Patrick Barone

Most of the time if you are pleading guilty it is because your lawyer has successfully engaged in plea bargaining with the prosecutor. Consequently, preparation for court when pleading guilty really begins to take place almost as soon as you first hire your lawyer. Therefore, the total preparation will take place over several weeks or months, and sometimes even years before you are set to appear in court. At a minimum the following things should have occurred before you plead guilty.

You’ve reviewed all the discovery with your attorney.
You’ve discussed possible defenses with your attorney.