Michigan Criminal Lawyers Blog
A Massachusetts man who sustained injury and demolished his pickup truck on Monday November 3 was arrested and is facing numerous charges, according to a news article at The Wanderer.
The accident occurred at about 9 p.m. in Rochester near the intersection of Route 58 and Route 28 when the suspect’s vehicle veered off the roadway and struck a telephone pole, severing it. The pickup then continued on to strike a mailbox and second telephone pole. In all, the pickup traveled about 400 feet before coming to rest and was totaled. The driver was 40-year-old Michael R. Jefferson of Wareham.
Wareham was arrested before being taken to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. Some of the charges he faces include operating an uninsured vehicle, possessing an open container of alcohol, driving on a suspended license, speeding, reckless operation, and operating under the influence of liquor, second offense. Police claim to have found numerous beer cans in the pickup, some of them open.
Jefferson’s license had been suspended in March of this year due to drunk driving.
Driving under the influence is a serious problem across the country, which is why criminal penalties are so harsh in most states. As lawmakers fight to decrease the number of people who operate a vehicle while intoxicated, penalties become more severe. In this situation, Jefferson will likely face serious consequences due to the fact that he was charged with multiple offenses, and a second DUI.
In Michigan, those convicted of a second DUI offense within seven years of the first will face penalties that include a minimum of five days in jail, and a maximum of one year. In addition, fines will be imposed along with court costs. Defendant’s may be ordered by the court to perform community service for up to 90 days, and attend an alcohol education class. A second DUI may also result in a one-year revocation of the defendant’s driver’s license.
Today, drunk driving is not the minor offense it was years ago. If charged, you will not get away with paying a small fine and a slap on the wrist. DUI is a criminal offense, not a traffic infraction. If you have been arrested or charged with driving under the influence, consult with a skilled and aggressive Michigan DUI defense attorney immediately for legal guidance and to ensure the best possible outcome.