Refused the test after an OWI arrest in Northville? You have 14 days to request a hearing. Find an OWI attorney
NorthvilleOWI.comA local resource from the publishers of HERE Northville

Pulled over for OWI in Northville? Here is what happens next.

Plain answers to the questions people ask at two in the morning, the Wayne and Oakland County courts and offices you will deal with, and a directory of the local OWI lawyers and other help.

14 daysto request a hearing if you refused the test

If you refused the breath, blood, or urine test after your arrest, the officer gave you a written notice. You have 14 days from that notice to request a hearing with the Michigan Department of State. Miss it and your license is suspended for a year, or two years for a second refusal within seven years. Nothing else on this site is as time-sensitive as that.

Find an OWI attorneyHow to request the hearing

The questions everyone asks

Michigan law and Wayne and Oakland County OWI practice, written for someone who has never been in this situation. Tap a question.

What should I do right after an OWI arrest in Northville?

Three things matter in the first days.

  • If you refused the chemical test, you have 14 days from the officer's notice to request a hearing with the Department of State, or your license is suspended for a year. See the 14-day hearing guide.
  • Find your court date. It is on your citation or bond paperwork. Northville and Northville Township arrests go to the 35th District Court in Plymouth.
  • Decide about a lawyer. Local OWI lawyers are in the directory. This site cannot give legal advice.
Will I lose my license?

Possibly, in two different ways.

  • A refusal: a 1-year suspension (2 years for a second refusal in 7 years) unless you request a hearing within 14 days.
  • A conviction: the Department of State suspends the license. For a first OWI it is 180 days, with no restricted license in the first 30 days; for High BAC (0.17+) it is 1 year. Repeat convictions lead to revocation.

Until then you drive on the paper temporary license, if otherwise eligible. See the license sanctions guide. Rules can change.

Can I still drive to work?

Often, after a waiting period. For a first OWI conviction, the Department of State may issue a restricted license after the first 30 days of the 180-day suspension. For High BAC, a restricted license is possible after 45 days, only with an ignition interlock. Some repeat offenders can get one through a sobriety court interlock program. See the license sanctions guide.

What are the penalties for a first OWI in Michigan?

Under MCL 257.625(9)(a), a first OWI is a misdemeanor punishable by one or more of:

  • up to 93 days in jail (up to 180 days for High BAC, 0.17 or more);
  • a fine of $100 to $500 ($200 to $700 for High BAC); and
  • up to 360 hours of community service.

Costs and other conditions can be added, and license sanctions follow separately. Penalties can change; see the penalties guide.

What is the difference between OWI and OWVI?

OWI (operating while intoxicated) means driving under the influence or at 0.08 or more. OWVI (operating while visibly impaired) means your ability to drive was visibly impaired by alcohol or drugs. A first OWVI carries up to 93 days in jail and a fine of up to $300, and a 90-day suspension with a possible restricted license. See the penalties guide.

Which court will my case be in?
  • City of Northville and Northville Township: 35th District Court, 660 Plymouth Road, Plymouth.
  • Felony OWI: Third Circuit Court, Wayne County Criminal Justice Center in Detroit (or Oakland County's circuit court for the Oakland County part of the city).

Addresses and phone numbers are on the local resources page.

I refused the breath test. What does that mean?

If you refused the chemical test after arrest, you have 14 days from the officer's notice to request a hearing; otherwise the Department of State suspends your license for 1 year, or 2 years for a second refusal within 7 years. Refusing the roadside preliminary breath test is usually a civil infraction instead. See the 14-day hearing guide.

Do I need a lawyer?

You are not required to have one. A lawyer can handle the refusal hearing and the court case, and the court can appoint a lawyer if you cannot afford one. The choosing a lawyer guide covers what to ask, and local firms are in the directory. Listings are not recommendations.

Is a third OWI a felony?

Yes. Under MCL 257.625(9)(c), an OWI after 2 or more prior convictions is a felony no matter how many years have passed, with a fine of $500 to $5,000 and 1 to 5 years in prison or probation with 30 days to 1 year in jail. Felony cases go to circuit court. See the penalties guide.

Can these rules change?

Yes. Michigan's OWI penalties and license rules are set by the legislature and the Department of State and can change. This site summarizes the law as of the date shown on each guide, with links to the official sources. Confirm anything that matters to your case with the court, the Department of State, or a licensed attorney.

Where to go from here

GuidesOne question per page: the 14-day hearing, penalties, High BAC, license sanctions, under-21 rules, and the local court process. Local resourcesEvery court, the jail, police, the prosecutor and public defender, and the Department of State hearing office, with addresses and phone numbers from official sources. DirectoryOWI attorneys, insurance, bail, interlock installers, and counseling serving Northville. For businessesAlready listed? Claim your listing free, or upgrade to be seen first.

Why this site exists

An OWI stop in Northville or Northville Township does not go to court in Northville: misdemeanor cases are heard at the 35th District Court in Plymouth, felonies go to Detroit, and the license rules come from the Michigan Department of State. This site puts the Northville version in one place, in order, and introduces the local professionals who do this work. It is published by the same team behind HERE Northville.