First Offense DUI/OWI Committed to Excellence

First Offense DUI Attorney in Grand Rapids

Michigan OWI Defense Backed by 50+ Years of Combined Experience

In Michigan, what most people call a DUI is formally charged as OWI (Operating While Intoxicated) under MCL 257.625. A first offense is classified as a misdemeanor, but the consequences are serious and permanent if a conviction results. The moment you’re charged, a legal clock starts moving. The earlier you have defense counsel involved, the more options remain on the table.

At Tanis Schultz, we bring a full legal team to every first offense OWI case. No client goes into Kent County’s courts with a single attorney working alone. Our attorneys have over 50 years of combined experience across criminal defense and related practice areas, and we’ve helped thousands of individuals fight OWI charges throughout Grand Rapids and West Michigan.

Don’t face an OWI charge alone. Call Tanis Schultz at (616) 227-3737 for a free consultation. Same-day and after-hours appointments are available.

First Offense OWI Penalties in Michigan

Michigan law creates two distinct penalty tiers for a first offense, determined entirely by your blood alcohol content (BAC) at the time of the stop.

Standard First Offense OWI (BAC 0.08 to below 0.17):
Up to 93 days in jail, fines between $100 and $500, up to 360 hours of community service, a 30-day hard license suspension followed by 150 days of restricted driving, and 6 points added to your driving record.

High BAC “Super Drunk” Offense (BAC 0.17 or higher):
Maximum jail time increases to 180 days, fines rise to $200 to $700, and the license suspension becomes 45 days hard followed by 320 days restricted, with a mandatory ignition interlock device required during the restricted period.

The sentencing judge determines jail time. Many first-time offenders avoid active jail through probation, alcohol education, or alternative sentencing, but jail isn’t off the table in every Kent County courtroom. Vehicle immobilization is also at the court’s discretion. One fact holds regardless of sentence: an OWI conviction stays on your criminal record permanently in Michigan. It isn’t automatically removed after a set period.

OWI, OWVI, & the High BAC Tier: Why the Specific Charge Matters

Michigan prosecutors can charge three distinct first-offense impaired driving offenses: OWVI (Operating While Visibly Impaired), OWI (Operating While Intoxicated), and High BAC OWI at 0.17 or higher. The difference between these charges isn’t just terminology. It directly affects what happens to your license.

OWVI carries lighter penalties and, critically, no hard license suspension. Instead, it carries a 90-day restricted license. A reduction from OWI to OWVI may preserve driving privileges in a way a straight OWI conviction would not. That said, a prior OWVI still counts within the seven-year lookback window for any future OWI charge.

Charges aren’t limited to alcohol. Michigan’s statute covers any intoxicating substance, including prescription medications and controlled substances. And under Michigan’s implied consent law, holding a Michigan driver’s license means you’ve already legally consented to chemical testing. Refusing that test triggers an automatic one-year license suspension, separate from any criminal penalties the court may impose.

How Tanis Schultz Defends First Offense OWI Cases in Grand Rapids

We handle both misdemeanor and felony OWI charges throughout the Grand Rapids area. Our team-based model means every case gets collective attorney input from the start, not a single set of eyes working through it alone. That structure matters when it comes to identifying issues that can affect outcomes.

What We Examine in Your Case

A first offense OWI defense typically begins with the traffic stop itself. Did law enforcement have lawful grounds to pull the driver over? Was proper procedure followed? From there, we examine the chemical test results, which can be challenged based on instrument calibration, officer error, or chain-of-custody issues with blood samples. Field sobriety test results are subject to challenge based on administration errors, environmental conditions, and physical factors affecting the driver’s performance. Evidence obtained in violation of constitutional rights can form the basis for suppression of key evidence.

Plea Negotiations & Alternative Programs

Plea negotiations are a core part of OWI defense. Some first-time offenders may qualify for sobriety court or diversion programs in Michigan, which can redirect a case toward rehabilitation rather than incarceration. Every case turns on its own facts, and we don’t approach two the same way.

One commitment we make to every OWI client: if your license isn’t restored at your hearing, the next hearing is free.

Start Your Defense Today

A first offense OWI charge in Grand Rapids deserves a serious, coordinated defense. Tanis Schultz offers free consultations, same-day appointments, and after-hours availability so you can get answers when you need them most.

Call us at (616) 227-3737 to schedule your free consultation and speak with our OWI defense team.

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    “You can tell she really knows her stuff and will help you with all she’s got to offer every case, every time!”
    I would highly recommend Megan Mast! She is personable, communicates extremely well, is prompt and professional. You can tell she really knows her stuff and will help you with all she’s got to offer every case, every time!
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    Starting out by saying, what an amazing firm and attorney! Megan was able to help me with my case and she did everything she promised and executed! She went above and beyond in problem-solving and communication skills. I can't thank her and the firm enough! Highly recommended!
    - N.T.
    “Everything Jonathan did was smooth and it took a huge burden off of me.”
    Jonathan has helped me with a family law case. Everything he did was smooth and it took a huge burden off of me. I appreciate that he took the time to email me at every step to let me know what was going on. Oftentimes, with other lawyers, I was kept in limbo while I tried to get a hold of them. Jonathan was very professional and I will continue to use his services should anything else arise with my divorce case.
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What a First Offense OWI Conviction Can Cost You Beyond the Courtroom

The sentence imposed at sentencing is only part of the picture. An OWI misdemeanor conviction surfaces on employment background checks indefinitely because Michigan criminal records don’t auto-expunge. For many clients, that long-term employment impact is the consequence they’re most concerned about.

Insurance, Licensing, & Professional Consequences

Insurance costs typically rise significantly after a conviction and can remain elevated for years. Some insurers decline to renew policies altogether. For holders of a commercial driver’s license (CDL), a first offense OWI can trigger disqualification that threatens their livelihood entirely.

Professionals in licensed fields including healthcare, education, financial services, and commercial driving may have reporting obligations to Michigan’s Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) following a conviction, potentially triggering licensing board proceedings independent of the criminal case.

Expungement & Restricted Driving

Michigan’s expungement law does allow a single OWI conviction to be expunged under specific conditions: it must be the only OWI on the person’s record from any jurisdiction, 10 years must have passed since sentencing or release from probation, and all other eligibility criteria must be met. State expungement doesn’t affect federal criminal records. Expungement is a meaningful remedy for some clients, but it’s not a substitute for avoiding conviction in the first place.

During any restricted license period in Michigan, driving is permitted to and from work, probation meetings, substance abuse treatment or education, regular medical appointments for a serious condition, and a school where the driver is enrolled.

What to Expect After a First Offense OWI Arrest in Grand Rapids

After arrest, police conduct booking and chemical testing. Many first-time offenders are released pending arraignment. At arraignment, the court formally advises you of the charge, possible penalties, and any bond conditions. That hearing is also an early opportunity for your defense team to begin preserving evidence and advising on any preliminary license hearing.

First offense OWI cases in Grand Rapids are handled in Kent County’s district courts, and different judges exercise sentencing discretion differently. Local knowledge of those courts shapes how a defense strategy is built and what realistic outcomes may look like at each stage.

From there, the case moves through pretrial motions, discovery, and potential plea negotiations before any trial date. That process takes months, and how it unfolds depends heavily on the specific facts: the arresting officer’s conduct, the test results, and what defenses are available. Having your legal team engaged early keeps every option open for as long as possible.

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Highly Educated & Experienced Trial Lawyers

Why Choose Tanis Schultz?

  • Dedicated Attorneys
    When you hire one of the experienced attorneys at Tanis Schultz, you get an entire team!
  • Track Record of Success
    Our attorneys have experience handling high-profile, complex cases with complete success.
  • Quality Representation
    Tanis Schultz is a professional law firm that provides a competitive advantage and the experience to address your legal issues.
  • Experience
    Our attorneys have over 50 yearsof combined experience handling various areas of the law with precision.