The Criminal Defense Law Center of
West Michigan

West Michigan Mayor In Trouble for Drunk Driving

Michael Estes, a local West Michigan Mayor, who was charged with Drunk Driving, has entered a guilty plea to a misdemeanor charge of driving while impaired.

The West Michigan mayor in trouble for Drunk Driving, Estes, was pulled over after an event when his truck was spotted driving erratically.  The breath test administered on the scene showed the West Michigan mayor had a blood-alcohol reading of 0.12 which is in excess of the legal limit.

Two weeks after his arrest for Drunk Driving the West Michigan Mayor pleaded guilty to a lesser charge and faces up to 93 days in jail.  The judge has ordered an examination into the details of Estes’ drinking.

Speaking outside the Governmental Center the Mayor announced he was not stepping down from office and was continuing with his re-election campaign.  He also asked for public forgiveness.

This shows that anyone can find themselves in hot water for drunk driving and face a situation that could potentially ruin a career and cause a person to spend time in jail.  Drunk Driving is a serious charge and needs to be treated seriously.

Michigan lawmakers are seeking to add to the law books permanently a pilot project that allows repeat drink driving offenders to obtain a limited driver’s license by installing a breath alcohol ignition device on their vehicle.

The Legislation intended to extend indefinitely a 2010 law won approval unanimously in the House Wednesday (October 30th) and now moves to the Senate.

Under the new law, the Secretary of State would issue a limited license to those offenders who have lost their license, on the condition that they take part in court mandated sobriety programs and have a breathalyzer ignition lock fitted to their vehicle.  The restricted license would allow of limited travel to work, school and substance abuse programs.

Those who have participated in the pilot program have been shown to comply with the restrictions and used the ignition lock devices.

Currently, a number of  Michigan courts offer substance abuse treatment as an alternative to jail time in certain cases.

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