Here’s What Happens When You’re Charged With Drunk Driving in Michigan

Being charged with Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) in Michigan sets off a fast-moving legal process that can feel overwhelming if you’ve never been through it. Police, prosecutors, and even probation departments all move quickly to gather evidence before you have a chance to protect yourself. What most people don’t realize is this:

The biggest legal mistakes happen in the first 24–72 hours after an arrest.

Understanding each stage — and knowing when an attorney can shut things down — is the key to protecting your license, your freedom, and your future.

Attorney Shawn Haff says: “The State wants a conviction. I want a win. And I don’t wait — I attack your case from minute one.”

A Michigan DUI arrest typically begins with a traffic stop based on alleged signs of impairment: weaving, speeding, a burned-out headlight, or a minor moving violation. Officers are trained to interpret normal behavior as evidence of intoxication. Slurred speech, “bloodshot eyes,” fumbling for your wallet — these are subjective observations that officers routinely exaggerate in their reports.

Once the officer decides to escalate the stop, you will be ordered out of the vehicle and placed under arrest if they feel they have “probable cause.” But here’s the truth:

• Probable cause can be challenged.

• Dashcam and bodycam video often contradict the officer’s written report.

• Any constitutional error can suppress evidence — and sometimes dismiss the case entirely.

From the moment handcuffs go on, police are building a case.
You need someone building yours.

Attorney Shawn Haff says: “Cops get it wrong all the time — and I love proving it. If they cut corners, I will expose it and make their case collapse.”

Michigan OWI cases largely revolve around “scientific evidence,” but the science is only as good as the officer administering the test. And most OWI tests have major weaknesses your attorney can exploit:

Field Sobriety Tests (FSTs)

These roadside exercises — walking a line, standing on one leg, following a pen with your eyes — are not scientifically reliable indicators of intoxication. Weather, nerves, age, footwear, medical conditions, and uneven pavement all affect performance.

Breath Tests (PBT and Datamaster)

A Preliminary Breath Test (PBT) at the roadside is often inaccurate and can be challenged.
The Datamaster breath test at the station must follow strict calibration and maintenance procedures. If the machine wasn’t calibrated or the officer didn’t observe you for 15 minutes prior to testing, your BAC reading may be invalid.

Blood Tests

Blood samples must be collected, sealed, stored, transported, and analyzed properly. A chain-of-custody error, contamination, or lab delay can render results unreliable. Many DUI cases weaken ― or outright collapse ― under forensic examination.

Attorney Shawn Haff says:
“I tear into breath machines, field tests, and blood evidence like a forensic surgeon. If the science is sloppy, I will gut the prosecution’s case right in front of them.”

After your arrest, the Michigan DUI process formally begins. Most people are shocked by how quickly things move — and how many opportunities exist to protect your rights before the case reaches trial.

Arraignment

This is where charges are read, bond is set, and conditions like alcohol testing or travel restrictions may be imposed. Without skilled representation, judges may over-restrict your freedom.

Pre-Trial Conferences

This stage involves negotiation, legal arguments, and review of the evidence. It’s where an aggressive attorney challenges police reports, testing procedures, and constitutional violations.

Motions to Suppress

If your rights were violated — an unlawful stop, improper arrest, invalid breath test, mishandled blood draw — your attorney files motions that can suppress evidence or get the case dismissed outright.

Trial (If Necessary)

Most cases do not go to trial — but if yours does, the prosecution must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. A skilled OWI defense attorney exposes inconsistencies, unreliable testing, and sloppy police work in front of a jury.

Throughout the process, the court is focused on compliance, evidence, and prosecution.
Your attorney must be focused on pressure, leverage, and defense.

Attorney Shawn Haff says:
“Prosecutors know when I walk into a courtroom that I’m not there to roll over. I’m there to punch holes in their case until it falls apart.”

When you hire me right after a DUI arrest, I do not sit back and wait for the prosecutor to dictate the narrative. My intervention begins immediately, often within hours:

1. I obtain dashcam, bodycam, breath-test logs, and arrest reports before they disappear.

Delays destroy good defenses. Fast action preserves them.

2. I challenge the legality of the stop before the prosecutor even prepares their argument.

If the stop was unlawful, everything that came after can be thrown out.

3. I review all forensic data for calibration, contamination, and procedural errors.

One mistake can shift the entire balance of the case.

4. I protect your license through administrative action with the Secretary of State.

Timing is critical — miss a deadline, and your driving privileges can be suspended automatically.

5. I take immediate steps to protect your freedom, job, and criminal record.

A DUI arrest does not have to ruin your life — but you must take control early.

This is where clients gain the greatest advantage: rapid, aggressive intervention long before court proceedings begin.

Attorney Shawn Haff says:
“You hire me, and I go to war for you — instantly. The police had their chance to build a case. Now it’s my turn to destroy it.”

A first-offense OWI in Michigan may not sound severe on paper — “just a misdemeanor” — but the reality is far more serious. A conviction creates a permanent criminal record, inflates insurance rates for years, disrupts employment opportunities, and places you under court supervision. Prosecutors bank on fear and confusion. They assume you’ll accept whatever plea deal they throw at you simply to get the process over with.

But fear is exactly what the State wants.

Knowledge and aggressive defense is what protects you.

The key to winning a first-offense case is exposing every weakness in the stop, the arrest, and the chemical testing procedure. Breath tests fail. Officers misapply field sobriety standards. Dashcam video contradicts police narratives. And when those cracks appear, the entire case can fall apart.

Attorney Shawn Haff says:
“The prosecutor thinks you’re just another easy conviction. They’re wrong. I don’t fold — I fight until you have leverage, not fear.”

Penalties

A first-offense OWI carries statutory penalties, but the true impact extends far beyond the courtroom. Michigan law allows:

• Up to 93 days in jail

• $100–$500 in fines (far more with court costs and assessments)

• Up to 360 hours of community service

• Mandatory alcohol education or treatment

• Probation with strict testing and reporting requirements

• Vehicle immobilization in aggravated cases

But that’s just the surface. Judges often impose:

• Random breath or urine testing

• Travel restrictions

• Employment and lifestyle limitations

• Zero-tolerance compliance rules

And one violation — even an honest mistake — can land you back in court with harsher consequences.

Attorney Shawn Haff says:
“Penalties don’t scare me. Weak evidence, sloppy police work, and lazy prosecution do — because that’s where I strike hardest.”

License Consequences

Your driver’s license is one of the most immediate things at risk. For many people, losing it means losing their job or ability to support their family. Michigan’s Secretary of State imposes penalties separate from the court:

OWI (Operating While Intoxicated)

• 6 points on your driving record

• 180-day license suspension (first 30 days hard suspension, next 150 restricted)

OWVI (Operating While Visibly Impaired)

• 4 points on your record

• 90-day restricted license

High BAC (“Super Drunk”)

• 1-year license suspension

• Mandatory ignition interlock for the restricted portion

The State does not care how this affects your work, your children, or your life.
But a skilled defense attorney can often avoid the harshest outcomes by attacking the foundation of the case before it reaches sentencing.

Attorney Shawn Haff says:
“Your license is your livelihood. I don’t let the State take it without a fight. If there’s a legal opening — I’m driving a truck through it.”

How I Attack a First Offense

A first-offense DUI is often the most defensible OWI charge because police assume the defendant will roll over. That assumption is a gift — and it’s where Shawn gains the upper hand.

Here’s how I dismantle a first-offense case:

1. I challenge the traffic stop itself.

If the officer lacked reasonable suspicion, the entire case can be thrown out. No suspicion = no stop = no arrest = no charges.

2. I tear apart field sobriety testing.

Officers routinely misscore, misinstruct, or misinterpret the standardized tests. Bodycam footage often contradicts their written claims.

3. I audit every second of Datamaster or blood testing.

Calibration logs, maintenance records, operator certification, observation periods, storage procedures — one flaw calls the entire BAC result into question.

4. I pressure the prosecutor before they pressure you.

The prosecution loses leverage when the evidence starts to crack. That’s when deals improve, dismissals become possible, or charges drop dramatically.

5. I steer your case toward the outcome that preserves your record and your freedom.

Whether that means dismissal, reduction to a non-alcohol offense, or minimizing penalties, the goal is always the same: protect your future.

Attorney Shawn Haff says:
“A first offense is the perfect place to punch back hard. I take the fight to the prosecution — and I don’t stop until your life is back under your control.”

Second-Offense DUI — Mandatory Jail & License Loss

A second-offense DUI (OWI 2nd) in Michigan is treated as a major threat to public safety. Prosecutors and judges assume you’re guilty the moment they see the prior conviction. But here’s the truth:

Mandatory jail is only mandatory if the State proves its case cleanly and legally.
And repeat-offense charges often rely on sloppy policing, inflated BAC numbers, misapplied field tests, and prior convictions that may not meet legal standards.

The State will try to intimidate you with “mandatory jail,” “mandatory license loss,” and “mandatory treatment.”
But mandatory is only mandatory when the defense doesn’t fight back.

A second offense is absolutely winnable — when the attorney knows exactly where these cases fail.

Shawn examines the vulnerabilities prosecutors hope you never notice:

• Was the prior conviction constitutionally valid?
  If it wasn’t, the State cannot enhance the charge.

• Were breath or blood test results inflated or compromised?
  Alcohol absorption curves, contamination, or calibration errors can alter everything.

• Was the traffic stop even legal?
  Many second-offense cases are thrown out when the original stop is challenged.

• Did the officer correctly administer standardized field sobriety tests?
  Repeat offenders often face biased scoring or intentional errors.

Once these weaknesses surface, the prosecution suddenly becomes a lot more flexible — and “mandatory jail” becomes negotiable leverage.

Attorney Shawn Haff says:
“They call it mandatory. I call it negotiable. Show me weak evidence, and I’ll show you a plea deal the prosecutor swore they’d never offer.”

Penalties

A second-offense DUI (OWI 2nd) in Michigan is treated as a major threat to public safety. Prosecutors and judges assume you’re guilty the moment they see the prior conviction. But here’s the truth:

Mandatory jail is only mandatory if the State proves its case cleanly and legally.
And repeat-offense charges often rely on sloppy policing, inflated BAC numbers, misapplied field tests, and prior convictions that may not meet legal standards.

The State will try to intimidate you with “mandatory jail,” “mandatory license loss,” and “mandatory treatment.”
But mandatory is only mandatory when the defense doesn’t fight back.

A second offense is absolutely winnable — when the attorney knows exactly where these cases fail.

Shawn examines the vulnerabilities prosecutors hope you never notice:

• Was the prior conviction constitutionally valid?
  If it wasn’t, the State cannot enhance the charge.

• Were breath or blood test results inflated or compromised?
  Alcohol absorption curves, contamination, or calibration errors can alter everything.

• Was the traffic stop even legal?
  Many second-offense cases are thrown out when the original stop is challenged.

• Did the officer correctly administer standardized field sobriety tests?
  Repeat offenders often face biased scoring or intentional errors.

Once these weaknesses surface, the prosecution suddenly becomes a lot more flexible — and “mandatory jail” becomes negotiable leverage.

Attorney Shawn Haff says:
“They call it mandatory. I call it negotiable. Show me weak evidence, and I’ll show you a plea deal the prosecutor swore they’d never offer.”

Michigan law allows — and often requires — vehicle immobilization or forfeiture in second-offense cases. This means:

• Your vehicle may be immobilized for 90 to 180 days

• A judge can order forfeiture, depending on circumstances

• You may be barred from operating any vehicle without an ignition interlock device

But here’s what most people don’t know:

Immobilization orders can be prevented, minimized, or strategically negotiated — especially when the underlying evidence is attacked early.

In many cases, Shawn negotiates to:

• Avoid immobilization entirely

• Use interlock-based alternatives

• Convert immobilization to restricted driving

• Prevent the court from taking the vehicle you depend on

Prosecutors don’t volunteer these options.
You must force them open through leverage and evidence challenges.

Attorney Shawn Haff says:
“They’re not taking your vehicle without a fight. If immobilization is on the table, I flip the table.”

How I Challenge Repeat Offense Cases

Second-offense DUI cases are not about guilt or innocence — they’re about whether the State followed the rules. Most repeat-offense charges fall apart at one of four critical pressure points:

1. The Prior Conviction

Was it constitutionally sound?
Did you have proper counsel?
Was the plea entered correctly?
If the prior conviction is invalid, the entire second-offense enhancement collapses.

2. The Stop

Repeat offenders are often profiled. Officers sometimes stretch or fabricate “probable cause,” assuming the court will rubber-stamp their decision.
When Shawn challenges the stop, many cases weaken instantly.

3. The Testing

Bodycam footage showing incorrect instructions…
Breath machines out of calibration…
Blood samples mishandled…
Any flaw in the testing process can turn a strong case into a vulnerable one.

4. The Officer’s Conduct

Bias against repeat offenders leads to exaggerated claims, improper scoring, and procedural shortcuts. Jurors don’t like bias. Judges question unreliable testimony. Prosecutors lose leverage.

Once those weaknesses surface, “mandatory jail” becomes reduced charges, modified sentencing, or even dismissals — outcomes prosecutors never offer until real pressure is applied.

Attorney Shawn Haff says:
“You’re not a number. You’re not a repeat statistic. Give me the case file, and I’ll give the prosecutor a nightmare they didn’t see coming.”

Third-Offense DUI — Felony Status in Michigan

A third-offense DUI in Michigan is a felony, and the system treats you like a problem to be locked away, not a person with a life, family, and future. Prosecutors see your record and assume the case is already over. Many attorneys see “felony” and start thinking about damage control instead of defense.

That’s where I’m different.

A felony DUI charge doesn’t magically become valid just because it’s your third. The State still has to:

• Prove each prior conviction is legally admissible

• Prove this arrest followed the Constitution

• Prove their testing and procedures were done correctly

If the State cuts corners — and they often do — those priors can be attacked, the stop can be challenged, and the so-called “slam dunk” felony case can suddenly look weak.

Attorney Shawn Haff says:
“Felony DUI is where pretenders fold. I don’t. I treat your case like a battlefield and I make the State fight for every inch.”

Prison Exposure

A third-offense DUI in Michigan carries real prison exposure — not just jail. That’s what the judge and prosecutor will emphasize to scare you into surrender:

• 1 to 5 years in state prison, or

• 30 days to 1 year in jail with probation, plus community service

• $500 to $5,000 in fines (not including costs, treatment, and testing)

• 1 to 5 years of probation, often with intense supervision

• Mandatory alcohol treatment, testing, and tight control over your life

But here’s what they won’t tell you:

Judges and prosecutors do respond to strong defense work.
Weak evidence, questionable priors, and constitutional violations change everything. When the State’s case starts to crumble, prison isn’t the automatic outcome they want you to believe it is.

Attorney Shawn Haff says:
“They’ll try to scare you with the word ‘prison.’ I scare them with the word ‘trial.’ When their evidence is shaky, they’re the ones who start to sweat.”

Driver’s License Revocation

With a third-offense DUI, Michigan isn’t just trying to punish you — it’s trying to erase your driving privileges.

You’re looking at:

• Mandatory driver’s license revocation for a minimum period

• Classification as a “habitual offender”

• No automatic return of your license — you must fight for restoration later

• Severe restrictions even if/when you’re eventually allowed back behind the wheel

For most people, this isn’t just an inconvenience. It’s a direct hit to:

• Your job

• Your ability to care for family

• Your independence and day-to-day life

That’s why every attack on the felony charge matters. Reducing a felony to a lower-level offense can completely change what happens to your license and your long-term future.

Attorney Shawn Haff says:
“They think revoking your license will break you. I think tearing apart their case is a better plan. I fight to protect your ability to live your life — not just survive your sentence.”

Prosecutor Tactics I Shut Down

Felony DUI prosecutors love to lean on scare tactics and pressure plays:

• “With your record, the judge is going to hammer you.”

• “If you don’t take this deal, we’ll push for maximum prison time.”

• “There’s nothing to fight here — the priors speak for themselves.”

I don’t buy it, and neither should you.

Here’s how I shut that down:

1. I attack the priors.

Were you properly represented? Were your rights explained? Was the plea lawful? If a prior is defective, it may not count toward a felony enhancement.

2. I challenge the stop, search, and seizure.

No valid reason to pull you over? Illegal expansion of the stop? Bad search? Evidence can be suppressed — sometimes the whole case.

3. I dissect every test and every report.

Field sobriety tests misapplied. Breath tests mishandled. Blood tests contaminated or delayed. Reports that don’t match the video. I look for every crack — then pry it open.

4. I flip their leverage.

Once the State sees their evidence isn’t bulletproof, their “take it or leave it” attitude changes. Suddenly, reductions, alternative sentences, and creative resolutions appear.

Felony DUI is where you need a fighter, not a folder.

Attorney Shawn Haff says:
“Prosecutors love to talk big until I start cross-examining their case file. I don’t accept their version of the story — I rewrite it.”

High BAC — “Super Drunk” (.17 or Higher)

Michigan’s “Super Drunk” law (BAC .17 or higher) is designed to intimidate you from the moment you’re charged. Prosecutors assume that a high BAC number means automatic guilt, automatic jail, automatic interlock, and automatic harsh punishment.

But here’s the truth:

BAC machines malfunction. Breath tests fail. Blood samples get contaminated.
And the higher the BAC number, the more aggressively I attack it.

A “Super Drunk” charge is not unbeatable — not even close. The State still has to prove the number is valid, the test was done correctly, and your rights were respected.

Attorney Shawn Haff says:
“High BAC doesn’t scare me. It just gives me more angles to crush the State’s case.”

Penalties

If convicted of High BAC, you face significantly harsher penalties than a standard OWI:

• Up to 180 days in jail

• $200–$700 in fines (plus court costs)

• 1 year of license suspension

  • First 45 days: NO driving

  • Next 320 days: Restricted driving with ignition interlock

• Mandatory alcohol treatment program

• 6 points on your license

• High insurance rates for years

The State wants you to see these penalties as inevitable.
They’re not. They only apply if the BAC number holds up under scrutiny — and that’s where many cases weaken.

Attorney Shawn Haff says:
“They want you to panic when you see the penalties. I want the prosecutor to panic when I start attacking the evidence.”

Enhanced Ignition Interlock Requirements

A “Super Drunk” conviction triggers some of Michigan’s toughest ignition interlock rules:

• You must install an ignition interlock device for a minimum of one year

• Any failed or questionable interlock reading can lead to probation violations, additional charges, or longer restrictions

• Monthly fees and calibration costs add hundreds of dollars

• You may be limited in when and where you can drive, even with interlock

But here’s what Michigan doesn’t tell you:

If we weaken the BAC evidence, the entire High BAC enhancement can be reduced — and the interlock requirements disappear.

Most “Super Drunk” cases end in reductions because the evidence doesn’t hold up under attack.

Attorney Shawn Haff says:
“Interlock for a year? Not if I can blow up the BAC number before sentencing.”

How I Challenge BAC Numbers

The BAC number is the foundation of a High BAC charge — and it is often far less reliable than prosecutors claim.

Here’s how I dismantle it:

1. I evaluate the timing of the test.

A delayed breath or blood test can artificially inflate the result due to absorption curves.

2. I audit the machine calibration and maintenance logs.

A Datamaster that wasn’t calibrated on schedule?
A blood sample that wasn’t stored properly?
That’s a problem for the State.

3. I analyze your medical or physiological factors.

GERD, diabetes, mouth alcohol, or metabolic conditions can all skew results.

4. I compare reports against dashcam/bodycam.

If you look stable on video, yet the officer claims extreme intoxication, credibility collapses.

A High BAC number does not equal a strong case — it equals more opportunities for defense.

Attorney Shawn Haff says:
“Give me a BAC number and I’ll give you ten ways to attack it.”

Chemical Tests — Why They Are NOT Automatically Accurate

The State wants jurors — and you — to believe chemical tests are flawless.

They’re not.

Chemical tests depend on:

• Proper procedure

• Accurate calibration

• Qualified operators

• Correct timing

• Unbroken chain of custody

• Clean, uncontaminated samples

If even one of those elements is wrong, the entire test becomes questionable.

Many High BAC cases collapse during forensic review — and most people never know it’s possible.

Attorney Shawn Haff says:
“Chemical tests are only as good as the humans running them — and humans screw up constantly.”

Breath Test Weaknesses

Breath tests are the most challenged form of evidence in DUI cases. Here’s why they fail:

• Machines go out of calibration

• Officers skip or shorten the 15-minute observation period

• Mouth alcohol (from burping, brushing teeth, or using mouthwash) inflates BAC

• Radio frequency interference (RFI) disrupts readings

• The Datamaster operator may not be properly certified

• Software errors or logged malfunctions go unreported

A high breath test reading does not mean the number is reliable — and I know exactly where these machines fail.

Attorney Shawn Haff says:
“Breath machines break. Protocol gets ignored. And I use every mistake to gut the State’s case.”

Breath tests are the most challenge

Blood Test Weaknesses

Blood tests sound scientific and trustworthy — but the behind-the-scenes reality is messy:

• Lab techs make mistakes

• Samples get contaminated

• Chain of custody gets broken

• Storage temperatures fluctuate

• Equipment malfunctions go unreported

• Alcohol fermentation can occur inside the vial

I subpoena lab records, personnel files, storage logs, and testing methods.
If something doesn’t line up, the blood result becomes unreliable — and prosecutorial leverage vanishes.

Attorney Shawn Haff says:
“Blood tests fail more often than the public ever hears about — but I know exactly where to look.”

Police Mistakes I Expose

Police errors are extremely common in High BAC cases because officers assume the number will carry the prosecution.

Here are the mistakes I exploit:

• Unlawful or questionable traffic stops

• Failure to follow field sobriety protocols

• Misunderstood instructions

• Exaggerated or dishonest officer observations

• Improper arrest procedures

• Missing bodycam or dashcam footage

• Failure to document critical details

When I expose police mistakes, prosecutors lose their confidence — and their leverage.

Attorney Shawn Haff says:
“Cops make mistakes. I make those mistakes hurt the prosecution.”

 Refusing the Breath Test — Implied Consent Consequences

When you refuse the chemical breath test (not the roadside PBT, but the official test at the station), Michigan’s Implied Consent law kicks in automatically. The State assumes you’re guilty of “refusal” and tries to punish you before you ever get a day in court.

But here’s what they don’t expect:

A skilled attorney can challenge the refusal and overturn the suspension — if you act fast.

There’s a strict deadline to contest the suspension. Miss it, and you face a mandatory 1-year loss of driving privileges. Hit it with an aggressive defense, and the State suddenly has to prove that the officer followed every legal requirement — which they often don’t.

Attorney Shawn Haff says:
“A refusal isn’t a conviction. It’s an opportunity — and I use it to hit the police where they’re weakest: procedure.”

.

1-Year License Suspension

A chemical test refusal under Michigan’s Implied Consent law triggers:

• Automatic 1-year driver’s license suspension

• No restricted license available (unless you win the hearing)

• 6 points added to your driving record

• Mandatory interlock and other conditions if you eventually regain driving privileges

• Additional penalties if the refusal occurred during an accident or injury investigation

This suspension is separate from your DUI case.
It happens even if the DUI charge later gets reduced or dismissed.

But the State only wins the Implied Consent case if:

• The officer properly advised you of your rights

• You truly refused (many “refusals” are really misunderstandings or improper instructions)

• The officer had reasonable grounds for arrest

• The chemical test was properly offered and documented

If any part of that process is flawed, the suspension can be reversed — and your license saved.

Attorney Shawn Haff says:
“They want to take your license for a year. I want to take apart their case until the judge has no choice but to give it back.”

How to Fight the Suspension Hearing

You get one shot to challenge the Implied Consent suspension — at an administrative hearing with the Michigan Secretary of State. This hearing is all about procedures, rights, warnings, and evidence.

Here’s how I attack the State’s case:

1. I challenge whether the officer properly advised you.

The officer must read specific Implied Consent warnings verbatim.
If they skipped, paraphrased, rushed, or misread them… they lose.

2. I question whether the refusal was actual or accidental.

Many supposed “refusals” are:

• Difficulty blowing into the machine

• Confusion about the test instructions

• Medical conditions

• Delayed responses or unclear communication

If the officer misunderstood, the refusal doesn’t stick.

3. I demand proof the officer had legal grounds for arrest.

No valid arrest = no valid Implied Consent warning = no suspension.

4. I cross-examine the officer aggressively.

Many officers:

• Don’t remember the event

• Didn’t document the refusal properly

• Fail to show up prepared

• Contradict their own reports or bodycam footage

When that happens, the suspension becomes highly vulnerable.

Winning the hearing can save your license — and give you massive leverage in the underlying DUI case.

Attorney Shawn Haff says:
“At the Implied Consent hearing, the officer is on the stand. I don’t give them a pass — I give them a grilling.”

The Hidden Costs of a DUI

Most people focus on the immediate consequences of a DUI — jail, fines, license issues. But the true damage often comes later, in ways the court never warns you about. A DUI conviction triggers financial, professional, and personal fallout that can follow you for years.

These hidden costs can easily exceed the actual court penalties.
That’s why fighting the charge — or reducing it — is more than a legal strategy.
It’s financial self-defense.

Attorney Shawn Haff says:
“The State wants a conviction. I want to protect your future — not just your today.”

Insurance

A DUI doesn’t just raise your insurance rates — it explodes them.

Most drivers see:

• Premium increases for 3 to 7 years

• SR-22 or high-risk insurance requirements

• Loss of preferred insurance carriers

• Policy cancellations

• Difficulty obtaining affordable coverage

It’s not uncommon for clients to pay $5,000–$10,000 more in insurance costs over the years following a DUI conviction. For High BAC and repeat offenses, the increase can be even more extreme.

But if the charge gets reduced — or dismissed — that financial avalanche can be avoided entirely.

Attorney Shawn Haff says:
“Insurance companies will bleed you dry if you’re convicted. I stop that by fighting the conviction itself.”

Employment

A DUI can interfere with your job in ways the court never explains:

• Employers may run background checks

• Some companies terminate employees with criminal convictions

• Driving-based professions face automatic disqualification

• Professional licenses (medical, legal, commercial, teaching) may be jeopardized

• Security clearances can be delayed, denied, or revoked

• Missed work for testing, classes, court dates, or jail time creates job instability

For many people, a DUI affects career trajectory far more than it affects their criminal record.

A reduced charge can eliminate background check issues entirely.

Attorney Shawn Haff says:
“Your career matters. A conviction can wreck it — which is why I fight like hell to prevent that conviction.”

Fines, Fees, and Court Costs

Most people underestimate the real cost of a DUI because they only look at the fines. But the full financial picture includes:

• Court costs

• Probation supervision fees

• Alcohol testing (often $10–$20 per test, multiple times a week)

• License reinstatement fees

• Treatment and education program costs

• Ignition interlock installation and monthly fees

• Vehicle immobilization costs (if applicable)

• Towing and impound fees

When everything is added up, the average Michigan DUI can cost $5,000 to $15,000, depending on the details of the case.

A reduced charge can cut these costs dramatically.
A dismissed case eliminates them entirely.

Attorney Shawn Haff says:
“The court will nickel-and-dime you to death. I stop the bleeding by attacking the case at its foundation.”

How I Save You More Than Just Money

Yes, beating or reducing a DUI saves thousands of dollars — but that’s not the whole picture.

Here’s what I really protect:

1. Your long-term financial stability

No skyrocketing insurance. No expensive probation. No endless fees.

2. Your job and professional reputation

A conviction can close doors. A reduction or dismissal keeps them open.

3. Your ability to drive and maintain independence

When you can drive, you can work, care for your family, and live your life.

4. Your criminal record and public image

A DUI stays with you. A strategic defense keeps your record clean or minimized.

5. Your peace of mind

Knowing an aggressive attorney is dismantling the State’s case allows you to focus on your life — not your fear.

Fighting a DUI is about protecting your entire future, not just avoiding fines.

Attorney Shawn Haff says:
“Saving a client from a DUI isn’t just about money. It’s about saving careers, families, and futures — and that’s exactly what I do.”

Why You Need an Aggressive DUI Defense Attorney

A DUI charge is not a “simple” case. It’s a complex, technical, and highly strategic legal battle where the State uses:

• Police testimony

• Chemical testing

• Dashcam/bodycam evidence

• Forensic reports

• Prior convictions

• Your own words

against you.

Most attorneys walk into DUI cases trying to negotiate from the start. That is a mistake.
Prosecutors expect defense attorneys to be passive — to accept the testing as accurate, the stop as lawful, and the officer’s statements as truth.

An aggressive defense attorney turns the entire dynamic upside down.

When the State realizes they’re dealing with someone who challenges EVERYTHING — their leverage collapses and better outcomes become possible.

Attorney Shawn Haff says:
“A DUI case isn’t won with politeness — it’s won with pressure. And I apply pressure from the moment I’m hired.”

What I Do Differently

Most DUI lawyers look at the report and assume the case is strong.
I assume nothing — and attack everything.

Here’s what sets my approach apart:

• I treat every DUI like a forensic investigation, not a paperwork case.

• I don’t accept the officer’s narrative until I test it against video, logs, and procedures.

• I analyze the science behind the BAC result instead of blindly trusting it.

• I pressure the prosecution early so they don’t control the narrative.

• I prepare your case for a possible trial, not a quick plea — which creates leverage.

Weak attorneys react to the State.
I dictate the pace, focus, and direction of the case.

Attorney Shawn Haff says:
“Other lawyers read the police report. I tear it apart. That’s the difference.”

How I Control the Evidence

Evidence doesn’t just “exist.” It’s created, documented, preserved, and processed by humans — and humans make mistakes constantly.

That’s where my strategy changes the game.

I take control of the evidence by:

• Demanding calibration logs, maintenance records, and operator certifications

• Securing dashcam and bodycam footage before it’s overwritten

• Subpoenaing lab documentation and chain-of-custody records

• Analyzing every second of field sobriety testing

• Comparing the officer’s written claims with what actually happened

• Identifying procedural errors that undermine the State’s case

When I control the evidence, the State can’t hide behind assumptions or shortcuts.
They must defend their work — and most officers are not prepared for that level of scrutiny.

Attorney Shawn Haff says:
“Evidence is only powerful if it survives my scrutiny — and most of it doesn’t.”

Forcing the State to Prove Every Element

A DUI conviction requires the State to prove every single legal element beyond a reasonable doubt. Not most. Not some. Every element.

I force prosecutors to prove:

• The stop was legal

• The arrest was lawful

• The officer followed standardized testing

• The breath or blood test was valid

• The BAC result is reliable

• The chain of custody is intact

• Your rights were fully respected

If they fail on even one element, their entire case weakens — often dramatically.

This is where aggressive defense work makes the difference between:

❌ A conviction
❌ License suspension
❌ Jail time
❌ Thousands in long-term costs

and…

✅ A reduction
✅ A dismissal
✅ A non-alcohol charge
✅ Saved career, license, and future

Attorney Shawn Haff says:
“The prosecutor doesn’t get shortcuts. They prove EVERY element — or they lose. And I make damn sure of it.”