Bloomfield Hills OWI Lawyer

What a Bloomfield Hills OWI Charge Means for Your License and Your Record

An OWI charge starts a clock the moment it happens. Your license, your job, and your record are all in question, and some deadlines are short. What you need to know is what this means for each of them, and whether one charge has to follow you for good.

J. Dallo is a Bloomfield Hills OWI lawyer with 17 years of practice in Michigan criminal law and a member of the State Bar of Michigan.

We look closely at the stop, the testing, and the charge to see what options may be available. Walk us through your arrest, and we will explain where your Bloomfield Hills OWI case stands and which deadlines are closest.

OWI Charges We Defend, From a First Arrest to a Repeat Offense

We defend OWI and related driving charges in district and circuit courts, from a first arrest to a case with prior convictions already on the record.

First-offense OWI: a conviction can still bring up to 93 days in jail and a license suspension, even with no prior record.
High-BAC OWI: sometimes called Super Drunk, charged when a breath or blood test comes back at 0.17 or higher.
OWI involving drugs: including cannabis-related charges. Michigan can treat certain substances in your system as an offense, and exceptions may apply, so the details of your situation matter.
Second-offense OWI: Michigan law adds mandatory minimum penalties and a longer license revocation.
Third-offense OWI: charged as a felony instead of a misdemeanor.
OWI causing serious injury or death: charged as a felony with prison exposure.
Underage OWI: charged under Michigan’s zero-tolerance rule for drivers under 21.

What a First-Offense OWI Conviction Costs You in Michigan

In Michigan, a blood alcohol level of 0.08 or more is enough for an OWI charge. So is driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (MCL 257.625). A first-offense conviction can bring up to 93 days in jail, a fine of $100 to $500, and a license suspension of 180 days. The first 30 days allow no driving at all.

Michigan’s implied consent law (MCL 257.625c) treats every driver as having agreed to testing. Refusing a breath or blood test triggers a separate suspension through the Secretary of State. That can mean one year without a license, and it runs apart from your criminal case. Does refusing protect you? In Michigan, it often adds a second problem to the one you already have.

A high-BAC conviction can also mean an ignition interlock device before full driving privileges come back.

Two OWI Cases Dismissed in Our Own Case Record

Every case is different. These two results come from our own case record, and whether a stop was lawful is one of the first things we check in any OWI case.

Outcome	Case Type
Charges dismissed midway through the hearing	OWI involving cannabis, Oakland County, March 2020
Charges dismissed	OWI, Oakland County, June 2009 (unlawful stop)

Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome in your case.

What to Do in the First 48 Hours After a Bloomfield Hills OWI Arrest

The choices you make right after an OWI arrest can shape how your case turns out weeks later.

Write down what you remember about the stop and the testing while it is still fresh.
Avoid posting about the arrest, the stop, or your case on social media.
Do not discuss the details of your arrest with anyone besides your lawyer.
Confirm your court date and any Secretary of State deadlines in writing.
Speak with a Bloomfield Hills OWI lawyer before your first hearing if you can.

Bloomfield Hills OWI Defense Questions, Answered Plainly

Do I need a lawyer for a first-offense OWI in Bloomfield Hills?

Yes, it is worth speaking with one. Even a first-offense OWI carries jail exposure, a license suspension, and a record that can follow you. We have represented drivers in Michigan courts since 2009 and understand what a first-time OWI can put at risk.

What court handles OWI cases in Bloomfield Hills?

A misdemeanor OWI for an arrest in Bloomfield Hills goes through the 48th District Court, 4280 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills. Felony-level OWI charges, such as a case involving serious injury or a third offense, move to Oakland County Circuit Court in Pontiac instead.

What happens to my license after a Michigan OWI arrest?

The Secretary of State can suspend your license before your criminal case is resolved, especially if you refused testing. A separate administrative hearing controls that suspension, and it runs on its own deadline.

How much does an OWI conviction cost in Michigan?

Beyond the fine, a conviction can bring court costs, higher insurance premiums for years afterward, and possible ignition interlock fees if a restricted license is granted. The total depends on the charge and your record.

Can an OWI charge in Bloomfield Hills be reduced or dismissed?

It may be, depending on how the stop was made and how the testing was handled. We have had OWI charges dismissed, including one where the stop was unlawful, and we review both from the start of every case.

How long does an OWI case take to resolve in Michigan?

A straightforward first offense can resolve in a few months. A case with a felony-level charge, a refusal hearing, or a contested stop can take longer while those separate issues get worked out.

What if I refused the breath or blood test?

A refusal triggers its own Secretary of State hearing and a possible one-year license suspension, on top of the criminal case. You can request that hearing, but the deadline is short, so speak with a lawyer as soon as you can.

Will an OWI conviction show up on a background check?

Yes. A Michigan OWI conviction is a public record. It can appear on standard background checks, including those run by employers, landlords, and licensing boards.

Does a Bloomfield Hills OWI charge affect a professional license?

It can. Many licensing boards, including those for healthcare, real estate, and finance, ask about criminal convictions, and an OWI conviction may need to be reported. Handling the criminal case carefully matters for more than your driving record.

Does where I was arrested change how my OWI case is handled?

Each city sends its misdemeanor OWI cases to a specific district court. For an arrest in Bloomfield Hills, that is the 48th District Court, and knowing its schedule and procedures helps us plan your case.

If any of this sounds like your situation, walking through your arrest with us is a good first step toward clear answers.

Talk to a Bloomfield Hills OWI Attorney Before Your Next Court Date

An OWI charge does not pause while you decide what to do, and neither does the clock already running on your license.

Contact Dallo Law to walk through your arrest and find out where your Bloomfield Hills OWI case stands, and how much of it is still within your control. The sooner your license, your court dates, and your options are mapped out, the more of them may stay open.

Latest Blog Posts

Can CSC Charges Be Reduced or Dismissed in Michigan?

May 14, 2026

What happens after a DUI arrest in Michigan?

May 8, 2026

View More Posts

Reviews

      Excellent rating  
 Based on 586 reviews 
    
  
 
 
      Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Mr. Dallo has been absolutely great and made a huge difference when handling the legal process and judges. He is helpful, educational, and most of all effective. He also helps so much with understanding the legal system, how it works, and the best ways to go about certain courts and judges.
     
   Tony Lehnert 
 
 
 
 
 
    Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I never hired this lawyer, but I appreciate his transparency
     
   Lence Lazoroski 
 
 
 
 
 
    Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. very fast response and knowledgeable. 👍
     
   Tim stanfield 
 
 
 
 
 
    Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Mr Dallo recently took on my boyfriend’s case, the time I met him before going into court to support my boyfriend, Mr Dallo greeted me with the up most respect, told us what to expect, and was there every step of the way. When my boyfriend was in jail, I got ahold of his assistant and told them what was going on, it was a matter of minutes before Mr Dallo contacted me regarding my boyfriend and said we will take care of this and apologize for this manner. Mr Dallo is a man of his word, Mr Dallo and his team are truly amazing, we couldn’t thank Mr Dallo enough after the case was over, he will fight til he gets the results he wants, if you need a professional, promising, dedicated attorney, Mr Dallo should be your only call to make, you won’t be disappointed, Thank you again Mr Dallo and your team for the services you were able to provide for my boyfriend
     
   Kim Persails 
 
 
 
 
 
    Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. J did an amazing job helping us with our case. He immediately responded to our call for help, late on a Sunday night, and swiftly and completely took care of everything. I have total trust in him and will definitely use him again, if something else were to happen. Very professional and knowledgeable, I highly recommend him!
     
   Julie Edmonds 
 
 
 
 
 
    Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Definitely recommend dallo law after a recent fender bender, Jay was very involved as soon as we called and I could even over the phone completely trust him to represent me. He was very easy to talk to and kept me updated as soon as he knew anything. Hopefully I don’t have this situation again but if I do I know who to call.
     
   Landon Soest 
 
 
 
 
 
    Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Awesome team here at dallo! I contacted them regarding a traffic incident and told them my CDL license is extremely important to me, they were able to take care of me beyond what i had expected! Awesome group of people here and couldn’t recommend them enough to anyone who is looking for a attorney!
     
   adam khammanivong 
 
 
 
 
 
    Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. JJ and his team make you feel like family when he takes your case.  No matter the situation he approaches resolution in a thoughtful, composed way.  While you wish you didn’t need an attorney, if you find yourself in need you’d be a fool not to consider the Dallo team.
     
   Vito Gioia 
 
 
 
 
 
    Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I truly cannot say enough good things about Jay Dallo. From the very beginning of my case all the way through the end, Jay was absolutely incredible. I came to him during an extremely stressful and overwhelming situation, and from our very first conversation, he gave me a sense of reassurance that I desperately needed.

Throughout the entire process, Jay was supportive, confident, attentive, and always on top of everything. He never made me feel like I was just another case or another client. He always answered my phone calls, took the time to answer every single question I had, and made sure I understood what was happening and what to expect. No matter how many questions or concerns I had, I never felt like I was bothering him or being rushed.

What stood out to me the most was the confidence and reassurance he gave me from beginning to end. There was never a point where he gave me even the slightest reason to doubt him or feel like my case wasn’t being handled with the utmost care. When you are dealing with something that can have such a serious impact on your life and your future, having an attorney who makes you feel that secure is priceless.

Today, my case was completely dismissed, and I genuinely could not be more grateful that Jay was the attorney standing beside me throughout this process. He did exactly what he said he was going to do, and he was there for me every step of the way.

Jay is not only an exceptional attorney, but truly a remarkable person. His professionalism, dedication, communication, compassion, and commitment to his clients are unmatched. I will forever be grateful for everything he did for me and for the peace of mind he gave me during one of the most difficult and stressful situations I have ever dealt with.

If you are looking for an attorney who will genuinely fight for you, communicate with you, reassure you, and make you feel like your case truly matters, I cannot recommend Jay Dallo enough. Choosing him to represent me was one of the best decisions I could have made. Five stars does not feel like enough. Thank you, Jay, for everything.
     
   Carmen Ball