Michigan DUI Community Service

A Michigan driving under the influence (DUI) charge can lead to many penalties such as jail time, probation, fines, and the loss of driving privileges. In some cases, a defense attorney may work out an agreement with the judge to have his or her client perform community service in exchange for a minimized sentence. This arrangement can help you reduce your jail time and/or fines.

You may have several options for community service. You could perform work for an anti-DUI group or speak to others about the dangers of drunk driving. Removing trash from the highway is a common form of community service. The court may provide you with a list of community service organizations.

In some cases, the judge may allow you to perform Michigan DUI community service for a charity or organization that you feel strongly about. This option is typically reserved for first offenders, so speak with your defense attorney to learn if this is an option in your case.

No matter which community service option you choose, you should carefully record your hours. You must be able to prove to the court that you successfully completed the total number of community service hours.

The number of community service hours that you may be ordered to perform depends on the circumstances surrounding your arrest. If this is your first offense, you may be sentenced to a maximum of 360 hours of community service. For a second offense, you may be sentenced to between 30 and 90 days of community service.

In addition to lessening your DUI sentence, community service allows you to give back to society. Going into community service with a positive attitude turns your DUI offense into something useful and brings a feeling of satisfaction into your life.

A Michigan DUI sentence depends on a number of factors, such as your blood alcohol content (BAC) at the time of arrest, and if you had prior drinking and driving convictions on your record. You may face enhanced penalties if you caused an accident or were transporting a child while under the influence.

To learn more about Michigan DUI community service, contact The Barone DUI Defense Firm today. By filling out our online form, you may receive a complimentary DUI case evaluation and a copy of The Michigan DUI Book (A Citizen’s Handbook on Fighting a Michigan DUI Case).