Grand Rapids Felony DUI/OWI Attorney

Serving Clients in West Michigan

While a misdemeanor DUI/OWI carries a maximum penalty of one year in jail, a felony DUI/OWI conviction can result in up to five years in prison. If you are facing felony drunk driving charges, you may be concerned about the impact a conviction will have on your job and other important parts of your life. Working with an experienced felony drunk driving attorney in Grand Rapids can help you understand the risks and the options available to you.

At Tanis Schultz, PLLC, our founding attorney has been handling DUI cases for over 20 years. He is familiar with the courts in West Michigan and has a proven track record of success, having handled thousands of DUI cases. Our attorney is also an active member of the community, having held various leadership positions at local organizations and charities. We are committed to providing clients with the personalized attention and zealous representation they need to navigate their felony DUI case.

When someone is arrested on suspicion of felony drunk driving in or around Grand Rapids, the case often moves quickly from an initial arraignment in a local district court to proceedings in the Kent County Circuit Court. We understand that this transition can be confusing, especially if you have never been through the criminal justice system before. We take time early in the process to explain the typical stages of a felony DUI case, from the first court appearance and bond conditions to pretrial conferences, motion hearings, and trial. By walking you through what to expect at each step, we help you make informed choices instead of reacting in fear or confusion.

Many people who reach out to us after a felony DUI arrest are dealing with immediate practical problems: questions about whether they can drive to work, concerns about professional licensing, and anxiety about how family members will be affected. We work with you to identify your most urgent priorities and to develop a plan that addresses license issues, employment concerns, and the conditions of your release. For some clients, that may mean preparing for a driver license hearing in addition to the criminal case; for others, it could involve coordinating treatment, counseling, or alcohol monitoring to show the court that you are taking the situation seriously.

Get in touch with our firm today to learn more.

Felony DUI/OWI Charges in Michigan

While a first and second DUI offense are considered misdemeanors in Michigan, a third OWI offense within ten years of the second conviction is a felony.

For juvenile drivers, an underage DUI is usually a misdemeanor under the Zero Tolerance law (BAC 0.02%–0.07%), but it can become a felony in certain cases, such as having a BAC of 0.08% or higher, repeat DUI offenses, causing injury or death, or driving under the influence with a minor in the vehicle.

If you are convicted of a felony drunk driving offense, you will face the following consequences:

• Up to five years in prison
• A fine of up to $5,000
• Loss of your license for at least four years
• Possible registration as a Habitual Offender, which could lead to a lifetime loss of your driving privileges

Additionally, another situation that can result in a felony OWI charge is when an intoxicated driver causes serious injury or death to another person. A first offense for an OWI resulting in bodily injury is charged as a felony, punishable by imprisonment for up to five years. First-time OWI resulting in death carries a maximum prison sentence of 15 years.

Michigan law does not treat every felony DUI case the same way, and the specific charge you face will depend on your prior record and the facts of the incident. In the Grand Rapids area, we regularly see cases involving a third offense OWI, OWI causing serious impairment, and OWI causing death, each of which has its own sentencing guidelines and collateral consequences. Understanding the precise charge is critical because it affects potential prison exposure, license sanctions through the Michigan Department of State, and the types of defenses that may be available. We carefully review the charging documents, police reports, and any accident reconstruction materials so that you know exactly what is at stake before deciding how to move forward.

For many people, the most frightening part of a felony DUI case is the possibility of losing the ability to drive for years and being labeled a habitual offender. A conviction can lead to mandatory license revocations, ignition interlock requirements, vehicle immobilization, and other conditions that alter your daily life long after any jail or prison term has ended. We help you evaluate how each possible outcome would affect your work, family responsibilities, and long-term plans. By focusing not only on the criminal penalties but also on the broader impact of a felony DUI conviction, we can pursue resolutions that protect as much of your future as the law allows.

Because every felony drunk driving case in Michigan involves complex interaction between criminal courts and driver licensing authorities, it is important to act quickly after an arrest. Evidence such as dash camera footage, body camera recordings, and blood test documentation is often easier to obtain and review early in the case. We move promptly to preserve these materials, to evaluate whether the traffic stop, field sobriety tests, and chemical tests complied with constitutional and statutory requirements, and to identify any weaknesses in the prosecution’s case. This detailed approach gives us a strong foundation to negotiate with prosecutors or, when necessary, to prepare for a contested hearing or trial.

Our Approach To Building A Felony DUI Defense

Every felony DUI case in Grand Rapids turns on specific facts, so we do not rely on a one-size-fits-all strategy. Instead, we take a structured approach that allows us to uncover issues in the evidence and to understand how the allegations intersect with your life. From the first meeting, we focus on gathering information, identifying defenses, and planning for both the courtroom process and the practical consequences you may face away from court. This method allows us to tailor our strategy to the unique circumstances of a felony drunk driving charge.

Early in the case, we obtain and analyze all available discovery, including police reports, dash and body camera footage, 911 recordings, and breath or blood test records. We look closely at why the vehicle was stopped, how field sobriety tests were conducted, and whether any medical conditions or environmental factors could have affected performance on those tests. When blood testing is involved, we examine chain of custody records and laboratory procedures to determine whether there are grounds to question the reliability of the reported alcohol level. If we identify legal issues with the stop, arrest, or testing, we can bring those concerns to the court through motions that may limit or exclude damaging evidence.

At the same time, we work with you to gather information that helps present a full picture of who you are beyond the police report. That may include employment records, education history, letters of support, treatment participation, or proof of community involvement in West Michigan. This material can be important when we talk with prosecutors about possible resolutions and when the judge considers bond conditions or sentencing. By combining a detailed review of the evidence with a thoughtful presentation of your background and goals, we position you to pursue the most favorable options available in your felony DUI case.

What To Expect During A Felony DUI Case In Grand Rapids

Facing a felony DUI charge can feel overwhelming in part because the process is unfamiliar and can last many months. Understanding the typical sequence of events in a Grand Rapids case can make the situation more manageable and help you prepare for each stage. Although every matter is unique, most felony drunk driving cases in Kent County follow a similar path through the local courts, starting in district court and often ending in circuit court.

The process usually begins with an arraignment in a district court such as the 61st District Court in downtown Grand Rapids or another local court, where the judge sets bond and outlines your conditions of release. After arraignment, the case moves to a probable cause conference and preliminary examination, where the prosecution must show enough evidence to send the case to the Kent County Circuit Court. During this time, we are often negotiating bond modifications, reviewing initial discovery, and deciding whether to challenge the evidence at a preliminary exam or waive that hearing to focus on later stages of the case.

If the case is bound over to circuit court, you can expect a series of pretrial conferences, motion hearings, and, in some instances, a trial. Throughout these steps, we keep you informed about deadlines, required appearances, and what preparation is needed before each court date. We discuss the difference between resolving a case through a plea agreement and taking a matter to trial, outlining how each option could affect incarceration, probation, license penalties, and other consequences. By explaining the process in plain language and updating you regularly, we help you feel more in control of your decisions as your felony DUI case moves forward.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is A Felony DUI In Michigan The Same As A Third Offense OWI?

A third offense OWI within a certain time frame is one way a DUI becomes a felony in Michigan, but it is not the only path. Charges can also be elevated to a felony when an impaired driver causes serious injury or death or when other aggravating factors are present. The exact statute used in your case will influence potential penalties and available defenses, so it is important to know which felony provision you are facing.

Will I Lose My Driver License After A Felony DUI Conviction?

A felony DUI conviction in Michigan often leads to a driver license revocation, which is more serious than a suspension and does not automatically end after a set period. After the revocation period, you generally must petition for restoration and demonstrate that you are a safe and responsible driver. Because licensing actions are separate from the criminal case, it is important to understand both tracks when evaluating your options.

How Long Does A Felony DUI Case Usually Take?

The length of a felony DUI case can vary based on court scheduling, the complexity of the evidence, and whether the matter is resolved through a plea or proceeds to trial. Many cases last several months, and some can extend longer if there are expert evaluations, motion hearings, or accident reconstruction issues. Having a clear sense of the likely timeline at the outset can help you plan for work, family obligations, and other commitments while the case is pending.

Aggressive Representation for Felony DUI/OWI Charges in Grand Rapids

A felony DUI offense can come with a significant amount of prison time, thousands of dollars in fines, and other long-lasting consequences. Our attorney is committed to helping clients obtain the best possible outcome for their case. We are committed to providing personalized attention and zealous representation to those in need. If you are searching for a felony DUI lawyer in Grand Rapids, we are prepared to guide you through each stage of the process.

When you work with us on a felony DUI charge in Grand Rapids, we start by sitting down with you to talk through what happened in your own words. We want to understand where you were coming from, what you remember about the stop and any testing, and what goals matter most to you. From there, we compare your account with the police report, video evidence, and lab results to identify inconsistencies or gaps in the government’s case. In some situations, that means challenging the legality of the traffic stop or the basis for field sobriety tests; in others, it may involve scrutinizing the way a breath or blood sample was collected and analyzed.

We also know that felony DUI cases in West Michigan often involve more than just the underlying allegations of impaired driving. Some clients are dealing with substance use concerns, mental health issues, or personal crises that contributed to the arrest. When appropriate, we help you connect with reputable local counseling resources and treatment providers so that you can address those issues while your case is pending. Taking these steps can be personally beneficial and can also demonstrate to the court that you are committed to making positive changes, which may influence how judges and prosecutors view your situation.

Throughout the life of your case, we stay focused on communication and preparation so that you are never surprised by what happens in court. Before each hearing in a Grand Rapids-area courthouse, we explain what will occur, who will be present, and what role you will play. We review potential plea offers with you in detail, outlining the benefits and drawbacks of each option, and we answer your questions about trial so that any decision you make is thoughtful and informed. By treating the attorney-client relationship as a partnership, we work together to pursue outcomes that reflect your priorities and protect your rights as fully as possible. When you choose our firm, you gain a felony drunk driving lawyer in Grand Rapids who is focused on both the legal case and the real-life impact on you and your family.

To learn more about how we can help you, contact us online today.