Michigan Alcohol Laws

In Michigan, many laws regulate the consumption, possession, and sale of alcohol. Because the penalties for violating Michigan alcohol laws are so serious, speaking with an experienced defense lawyer if you have been charged with an alcohol-related offense is important. Below is an overview of Michigan’s alcohol laws.

In Michigan, as well as the rest of the United States, the legal age to purchase and consume alcoholic beverages is 21. The law does allow 18-year-olds to work as a server or bartender in a restaurant that serves alcohol. They may also handle alcoholic beverages, such as beer, wine, and liquor, in a supermarket or package store.

According to Michigan alcohol laws, beer, wine, and liquor can be sold by privately owned retail establishments. The sale of alcohol is prohibited Monday through Friday from 2 a.m. to 7 a.m. and Sunday before noon.

The legal limit for a driver over the age of 21 to operate a motor vehicle is .08%. If a driver is over the legal limit, he or she may be charged with driving under the influence (DUI). The penalties for drunk driving include jail time, probation, community service, fines, and a lengthy driver’s license suspension.

Michigan’s Zero Tolerance laws make it illegal for minors to drive a vehicle with a blood alcohol content of .02% or higher. The penalties for a Zero Tolerance conviction include fines and community service.

Michigan’s Open Container law makes it a crime to for anyone in a vehicle, including the passengers, to consume alcohol. All open containers of alcohol must be stored in the trunk where they are not easily accessible.

Michigan’s Implied Consent law requires drivers who are pulled over on suspicion of DUI to comply with the police officer’s request to take a breathalyzer test. Failure to comply with this request can lead to the loss of driving privileges.

Have you recently been charged with violating one of Michigan’s alcohol laws? The Barone DUI Defense Firm can help. Submit your case information online today for a free consultation and a copy of The Michigan DUI Book (A Citizen’s Handbook on Fighting a Michigan DUI Case).

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