Michigan Criminal Lawyers Blog
In the state of Michigan, when a minor is caught drinking and driving, the laws evolve into a more severe form of punishment. In our state, unlike many others, those that decide to drink and drive under the age of 21, can face severe penalties even if they are sober at the time of the event.
Scott Grabel of Grabel and Associates is a foremost leader in the field of OUIL litigation in the state of Michigan. Grabel reflected on a case he handled last year and spoke of how the laws for minors can have major consequences. Grabel stated, “A client of ours threw a surprise party for his daughter’s high school graduation. The daughter had two glasses of Champagne at her party, then drove to her house and was stopped for making an illegal turn. The officer asked her if she had been drinking and nervously she said that she had. She took a breathalyzer and blew a .022. While the law in Michigan is clear that one is not legally intoxicated until they reach a .08, for minors the scale is lowered to a .02. The young girl almost lost her scholarship and her life had been altered. We proved that the breathalyzer had an issue with its calibration and had the case dismissed, but it is amazing how two glasses of Champagne could have destroyed this young woman’s life.” Continue reading