Thanks for visiting again with The Kronzek Firm. We know you’re really stressed out right now. And who could blame you? Having a loved one stuck behind bars after a drunk driving arrest is scary – both for you and for them! (We get it, jails in Michigan are no fun for anyone.) So in the previous article we looked at a few basic facts you need to keep in mind, namely figuring out what they got arrested for (because that makes a big difference to whether or not they’re going to end up serving time in jail), and whether or not they’ve been arraigned yet. But there’s more you need to know…
No two DUI cases are the same!
You need to remember that every case is different, and there are a ton of factors that affect the outcome of each case. How drunk was your spouse when they got arrested? (If their BAC was over .17, they’re possibly looking at ‘super drunk’ charges, which is a whole other level of serious!) And if your kid hit another car, or government property like a telephone pole or street sign, chances are it’ll make the punishments more severe (even if this is their first time.)
“Making it go away” is never going to be an option
People sometimes think that being wealthy, or having a high profile attorney, or being powerful in some way can mean you avoid the consequences of a drunk driving charge. That simply isn’t true. More money might mean you can hire a better caliber of attorney, which can have a big impact on your case. But no attorney is going to be able to wave a magic wand and “make it all go away.” The criminal defense team here at The Kronzek Firm has won its share of drunk driving cases. But there weren’t any magic wands involved in our victories. Just lots of experience, hard work, aggressive criminal defense and great relationships built over the past 25 years.
Jail might be optional, but other consequences aren’t
Your loved one may be able to avoid jail altogether, depending on the factors in their case and how good their attorney is. But the truth is, they’re still looking at probation, high fines, and license restrictions, among other consequences after a DUI conviction. Things like community service, court-ordered restitution payments, and having points added to their license are still likely, even if they manage to avoid jail time. So keep in mind – jail time may not be the worst consequence they have to deal with.However, the right attorney is critical to the outcome of most criminal cases. So, lawyer up.
Avoiding jail doesn’t mean avoiding a record.
Another thing you need to remember when dealing with a DUI arrest, is that avoiding jail isn’t the same thing as getting your charges dismissed. If your loved one gets convicted of drunk driving, even if they get a stellar attorney and manage to avoid jail time, that conviction is still going on their record. And a drunk driving conviction can complicate life in a lot of ways (like making it difficult to get into a good school, or get a good job, or even travel abroad!). So making certain you get a fantastic attorney who aggressively fights toward getting the charges dismissed altogether is more important than just trying to avoid jail time.
A DUI arrest means a rocky road ahead, so get help now!
If you or a loved one have been accused of drunk driving right here in Michigan, there’s only one thing you should do now – call The Kronzek Firm pronto! Our skilled drunk driving defense attorneys have spent decades defending the people in lower Michigan against drunk driving charges, and have earned many favorable results for our clients. Call us at 866 766 5245 (866 7No Jail) now. We are available 24/7 to help you pick up the pieces and get your life back on track.
