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The effects of a DUI on your driving privileges and insurance rates

The effects of a DUI on your driving privileges and insurance rates

DUI or driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol is a crime that’s very serious in nature. If charged, you are staring at severe legal and insurance-related ramifications. From the complete suspension of your driving license to possible jail time, the consequences can be devastating and the damage to your reputation can be irreversible. 

That being said, many in America are still oblivious to what a DUI charge actually entails. So we at Coppins Law Group decided now would be a good time for a crash course on it.

In this article, we will be focusing on exactly how a DUI conviction can affect several aspects of one’s life.

So without much more ado, let’s begin.

How a DUI Can Impact Your Ability to Drive

Let’s just say that the impact on your driving ability due to a DUI conviction is never kind. You can expect a possible suspension of your license and driving privileges. It is also important to note that there are different levels of suspension or revocation, depending on whether your driving record depicts you as a first-time offender or a repeat one.

A first-time offense could mean suspension of no more than six months. A second offense could mean suspension for a year with the fourth offense ultimately leading to the suspension of your driving privileges forever. Then there is the impact a DUI can have on your auto insurance rates (a subject we will touch on momentarily). You will only make matters worse if for some reason you refused to take a Breathalyzer test.

If charged, it is also important to not lose hope immediately. DUI prevention is possible and there are attorneys out there that’ll help you get out of this mess untainted and even help with cost savings.

The Impact of a DUI on your Auto Insurance Rates

Suspension of your driving license or license isn’t the only consequence of a DUI conviction. Some would argue that the impact of DUI on one’s auto insurance rates can be far worse. It is estimated that your car insurance rates can go up by 83% if convicted of DUI. After some investigation, we found that a DUI can increase the full coverage of car insurance by $1434 per year.

The citation you get for driving while impaired can have long-term consequences… with your rates remaining affected for up to 5 years in some states around the country. Needless to say, a DUI can affect both your personal and professional life. Luckily, there are cost-saving benefits to hiring a lawyer in charge of building your defense. They can help you fight the results of the Breathalyzer test in court… all in a bid to keep a DUI conviction off your driving record. They can negotiate a favorable plea on your behalf and guide you through the entire legal process.

How to Maintain Your Driving Privileges After a DUI  

A DUI conviction could result in license suspension, the revocation of your driving privileges, and skyrocketing auto insurance rates. If you wish to maintain driving privileges, then you need to avoid a DUI conviction altogether. The best way to do this is via reliable legal assistance delivered by a seasoned DUI attorney.

As we mentioned before there are personal, legal, and cost-saving benefits to hiring an attorney for legal representation. They are well aware of the mitigating factors that can minimize the impact of a DUI charge. The lawyers at Coppins Law Group, for instance, are masters at crafting defense strategies that can protect driving privileges. They can help you avoid the long-term consequences of a DUI arrest. They can advocate to help you at least keep a restricted license in a bid to at least partially secure your driving privileges in the event of the DUI charge being severe.

If you are license is revoked, then you can rely on a DUI attorney to help you reinstate your license. Besides hiring a lawyer, there are certain things you can do as well to make sure your driving privileges are protected. For example, do not refuse a Breathalyzer test as there are grave consequences of refusal.

The potential long-term consequences of a DUI on your driving record

We’ve already touched upon certain consequences of DUI like suspension of driving privileges, license, and increased auto insurance rates. However, the impact isn’t restricted to these areas alone. A DUI conviction reflects badly on your driving record and this can have devastating long-term consequences on your personal as well as professional life.

A DUI conviction on your record could mean constantly failing background checks for jobs, or when searching for a house to rent. Finding work can become extremely difficult. You could even end up losing your car insurance. There is also a chance of losing university acceptance and scholarships. It can also affect the relationship you have with your loved ones.

The role of an attorney in protecting your driving privileges after a DUI

If you want to maintain your driving privileges or fight against license suspension, then a DUI attorney is your best bet. A reputable DUI defense lawyer knows how to fight a DUI charge and has a bunch of strategies in their arsenal that they can use to keep your driving record clean.

They can assess all the evidence gathered against you to devise a defense strategy that helps you fight the results of a Breathalyzer test or even avoid a DUI conviction altogether. No DUI conviction means no revocation of license, no jail time, and no ballooning auto insurance rates. If you are convicted, they can help you negotiate a plea bargain that could entail a possible reduced jail sentence as well.

The potential cost savings of hiring an attorney for a DUI case

The legal fees of hiring an attorney may seem like a lot. However, you stand to save tens and thousands of dollars with the legal representation of a seasoned DUI attorney. There are several hidden charges that come with a typical DUI case. They can help you avoid those charges by carefully guiding you through the otherwise complex process.

By helping you avoid a DUI conviction, they can eliminate the possibility of you paying high auto insurance rates in the future. Then there is also the possibility of you losing driving privileges. An attorney can help you save a ton of money that could have otherwise been spent on the reinstatement of license. They can also help you attain a plea bargain to avoid hefty fines and long jail time.

Steps to take to minimize the impact of a DUI on your driving privileges and insurance

Minimizing DUI impact on driving privileges and insurance is difficult but not impossible. Protecting driving privileges after DUI would require you to attend a DUI or administrative hearing where you can present your case. You can also patiently wait out the license suspension period and pay all the fines that are demanded from you. Complete any court requirements that you are obliged to perform.

You can challenge the suspension by requesting a hearing with the DMV. To minimize DUI impact on insurance rates, you can:

  •       Take a defensive driving course
  •       Compare rates of multiple insurance providers and choose one that is best for you
  •       Check out non-owner SR-22 car insurance
  •       Improve your credit score.

These steps can be instrumental in lowering insurance rates after DUI. That said, one of the best DUI defense strategies entails hiring a DUI attorney. Now that you know about the steps you can take to minimize DUI impact, let’s move on to understand what the consequences of refusing a breathalyzer test are and what you can do for preventing future DUIs.

The potential consequences of refusing to submit to a breathalyzer test

The potential consequences of refusing a breathalyzer test are grave. Our DUI attorneys always advocate against refusing such a test. Refusal could mean revocation of your driver’s license for the next 3 days. You will be charged with impaired driving and then be presented in court.

If convicted there, you are staring at fines, jail sentences that can range from 30 to 120 days in total, and the DUI conviction becoming a stain on your criminal record.  Besides the possible suspension of your driving privileges, you are also looking at car insurance rates that increase substantially.

How to avoid a DUI and protect your driving privileges and insurance rates.

By now, you are completely aware of the effects or consequences you face if caught driving drunk. It is, however, completely possible to avoid license suspension, prevent high car insurance premiums, and other types of legal penalties by taking certain precautionary measures.

For starters, never drive drunk. If you are inebriated, we suggest letting your sober friends, colleagues, or family members take the wheel. If they are not around, then opt for an Uber or Lyft ride to wherever it is you wish to go.

If convicted of DUI, do not lose hope and immediately reach out to the excellent DUI attorneys at Coppins Law Group. We know how to protect driving privileges and have a positive track record to show for it. An initial appointment with our lawyers is free of charge.

Driving under the influence is a serious criminal offense but that does not have to be the end of your life. Contact us at Coppins Law Group to learn more about how we can help with your DUI case.

10 Common Misconceptions about Criminal Defense: How to Protect Your Rights and Avoid Legal Pitfalls

10 Common Misconceptions about Criminal Defense: How to Protect Your Rights and Avoid Legal Pitfalls

If you are charged with a crime, then relying on popular myths surrounding criminal law will do you no good. In fact, the consequences of being ignorant about this area of law can be catastrophic and severely hinder your ability to protect yourself in court.

As a leading law firm in Michigan, here at the offices of Coppins Law Group, we’ve witnessed just how dangerous harboring these misconceptions can be. So we would like to use this article as an opportunity to debunk 10 misconceptions about criminal law once and for all.

So let’s get started without further ado. 

1) Every Criminal Defense Lawyer Is the Same

This is a common misconception that we’ve seen many people harbor about criminal defense attorneys all across the USA. There is no shortage of attorneys in Michigan that you can approach for legal representation. However, this idea that there is no difference among attorneys cannot be further from the truth.

Each attorney will differ from the other in many aspects. While some attorneys are amateurs in the field, there are others that possess substantial experience spearheading criminal cases at both the state and federal levels. It is in your best interest to do some due diligence when hiring a criminal defense attorney.

Choosing the right attorney with a great reputation, specialized training, and a results-driven approach to counseling can drastically improve your chances in court. Always verify the qualification of a criminal defense attorney and get background information on them to make the right decision.

2) The Police always have the upper hand

Among the many long-standing criminal defense myths, the overestimation of police power is perhaps one that continues to make people nervous to this day. In fact, everyone in the country is afforded legal rights that can effectively undermine police authority.

If you are aware of the constitutional rights in criminal cases that you are entitled to, then it is you and your attorney that has the upper hand in most circumstances. Knowing your rights is the most effective way of avoiding legal pitfalls like being manipulated by the police force.

You can also go a step further in protecting your rights and hire a criminal defense attorney who understands your constitutional rights and knows how to enforce them to your advantage.

3) You Don’t Need an Attorney if You’re Innocent

In a study conducted by the Innocence Project, it was found that 1 percent of the US’s prison population is falsely convicted. Simply put, there are about 20000 people serving time in US prisons for a crime they did not commit. This should hopefully dissuade you from self-representation in court.

Out of all the misconceptions, we’ll discuss here, this one truly has tragic consequences. Even if innocent, most people do not understand their constitutional rights accurately and thus find themselves in legal pitfalls like this one. Experienced legal representation from a reputable criminal defense attorney is the best way to protect your rights.

4) Plea Bargains Means Admitting Guilt

Most people try to avoid taking plea bargains, believing it to be a way of admitting guilt. This is yet another grave misconception. In reality, there are many advantages to pleading guilty. For starters, it takes out the uncertainty surrounding convictions that such court proceedings bring. Most criminal defense attorneys vehemently believe that taking a plea deal is sound legal advice.

In fact, plea bargains are important tools in the arsenal of an attorney when it comes to protecting rights. The attorney can use it to negotiate a deal, which could entail reduced jail sentences.  Plea deals are one of the most imperative constitutional rights afforded to a US citizen. Taking a plea bargain when your attorney advises is essential in avoiding legal pitfalls.

5) The Prosecution has all the Evidence Against You

Another misconception just like plea bargains that people harbor regarding criminal law has to do with prosecution & evidence. Similar to the false perception of police advantage, the idea that the prosecution has all the evidence to put you away for good is categorically false. Yes, the prosecution can be aggressive in their case against you and is perhaps working tirelessly to gather evidence.

Now it can become difficult to beat prosecution evidence with self-representation as most people take this route because they are unsure of avoiding legal counsel.

This is another one of those legal pitfalls that you can avoid with strong legal representation from a reliable criminal defense attorney. They can use their legal insight to have evidence brought by the prosecution dismissed in court cases.

6) Your Constitutional Rights Don’t Apply in Criminal Cases

Let’s tackle this misconception right off the bat. Your constitutional rights do matter in criminal cases. They are what both you and your criminal defense attorney can count on to protect rights and yield a judgment in court that falls in your favor.

There are serious consequences for violating a person’s constitutional protections. No one, be it the police or the criminal justice system is entitled to violate someone’s legal rights. Even if they are violated by such authoritative entities, you can drag the perpetrators to court in order to make them answer for the injustice you were subjected to.

7) The Court Will Rule in Your Favor

Sometimes you might find yourself in front of a judge and jury that you believe are ideologically aligned with you or perhaps belong to your community. It is incredibly foolish to expect bias in the court because of this and is undoubtedly one of the most dangerous common misconceptions about the legal system.

Both the judge and jury have a duty to uphold and certain rules to follow… violation of which could land them in serious trouble. So do not assume just because you are in a local court or you know the judge that there will be an automatic ruling in your favor. The only way a court ruling will be in your favor is if you have a good criminal defense strategy conjured by your lawyer.

Hire an attorney that knows how to employ successful defense tactics and is an expert at winning criminal cases. This way protecting your rights in court will be considerably easy.

8) It’s better to Go to Trial than Accept a Plea Deal

This is another one of those misconceptions about criminal defense that several in America harbor. In the battle between Trial vs Plea Deal, most people truly believe that going to trial would be better for them. However, this could basically mean throwing the advantages that come with plea bargaining out of the window. People also underestimate how costly a trial can be.

People also wish to go to trial because they believe accepting a plea deal would mean admitting guilt. No matter what angle you look at it from, going to trial is seldom considered a good criminal defense strategy or a good idea in general when it comes to protecting your rights. When you decide to take a case to trial, you are basically putting your fate in the hands of a jury. You have absolutely no way of knowing how they will respond to your court proceeding or the evidence brought up against you. This is one of those legal pitfalls that you may find very hard to come out of once the decision has been taken.

It is important to deliberate with your criminal defense attorney before you decide to take a case to trial.

9) You Can’t Afford a Criminal Defense Attorney

Most people avoid legal representation because they feel it is impossible to find low-cost legal assistance or inexpensive legal aid. On the contrary, there are many law firms and budget-friendly criminal defense attorneys that offer flexible payment plans that are suitable to one’s budget.

It is not difficult to find an inexpensive or low-cost criminal defense attorney that is ready to offer cheap legal help. If you are looking to hire a cost-effective criminal defense attorney for affordable legal representation, then you can simply give us at Coppins Law Group a call as well.

We offer a free initial consultation to explain everything you need to know about our services and how we can help protect your legal rights.

10) You’re Better off Representing Yourself in Court

We don’t want to waste time stating that representing yourself in court is a bad idea. Most common folks have no idea what their constitutional rights are, let alone understand how the criminal justice system operates. The risks of self-representing in criminal cases can be devastating.

People underestimate the importance of legal counsel. A seasoned criminal defense attorney knows how to assess evidence and create a winning defense strategy. They are more capable of protecting your rights than you yourself. As a renowned law firm, we at Coppins Law Group strongly advise against self-representing. This is one of those common misconceptions and criminal defense myths that we’ve witnessed do a lot of harm.

Avoiding legal pitfalls such as the ones above is very easy if you stay informed about your rights and hire a reputable criminal defense attorney to counsel you.

So if you are charged with a serious crime, we suggest you don’t fall prey to these misconceptions and give the trusted law firm of Coppins Law Group a call right away. Initial consultation with our lawyers is free of charge.

lawyer charged with DUI

How Much Do DUI Lawyers Cost in Michigan

How much will hiring a good Michigan DUI lawyer cost? As a trusted law firm in Michigan, we’ve been at the receiving of this question a lot. It is only natural for clients facing DUI charges in the state to know how much they will have to pay for legal representation. However, if the Macomb County DUI attorney you’ve hired is honest and reliable, then they’ll tell you that the answer to this question isn’t straightforward.

The average DUI attorney costs you can expect to pay will largely depend on the nature of the charges brought against you. In this article, we would like to clear the air around this topic so you are well prepared when seeking a lawyer if charged with DUI.

So without much further ado, let’s get started.

The Estimated Cost of Hiring Attorneys for DUI Charges

It isn’t tough to find DUI attorneys in Michigan who charge reasonable rates. It is also important to remember that the lawyer fees will depend on whether this was your first, second, or third offense.

Keeping that in mind, for a first offense, the DUI lawyer cost could be around $3000. The average cost of a DUI lawyer will be around $4500 if this is your second offense. The average price for a DUI lawyer will increase to somewhere around $5000 if you are facing a felony, third-offense drunk driving charge.

The Other Costs of DUI Charges That No One Talks About

Besides hiring a lawyer, there are other costs associated with a DUI charge that is often left out of the conversation. We would like to highlight some of them here:

  •       Towing your car could cost around $300
  •       You’ll also have to pay 30-100 dollars per day as a car storage fee
  •       You may have to pay a bond of around $500-$5000 just to stay out of jail.
  •       A judge may order you to seek alcohol counseling, which can cost around $500-$10,000
  •       Your automobile insurance rate could significantly increase. A bad DUI record could result in a total loss of insurance.
  •       Your driver’s license can be revoked.
  •       A jail term of up to a year for a second offense and a jail term that could go up to five years for a third offense.

Call Coppins Law Group to Hire Only the Best Legal Representation against DUI

Hiring a good lawyer to defend your rights in court against drunk driving charges won’t be cheap. Now you can approach an inexperienced lawyer.

However, it is never wise to compromise on the quality of legal representation just to save a few bucks, especially when you are facing charges for something as severe as DUI. Bad legal representation could cost you a lot more than just money.

Here at Coppins Law Group, we are home to experienced DUI attorneys that possess a good track record of defending clients against DUI charges in both criminal cases and administrative hearings.   

Call us now to schedule a free initial meeting with our attorney.

best child custody lawyer in michigan

How to Get Custody of a Child in Michigan

Wish to squash your doubts surrounding child custody law in Michigan? Allow some of the best Macomb County Family Attorneys from Coppins Law Group to answer a few burning questions.

Being entangled in a child custody battle with your ex can prove extremely strenuous. It is easy and quite typical of parents to feel overwhelmed by the prospect of filing for their child’s custody. However, most parents have absolutely no idea how to open a child custody case. Moreover, these parents are also not privy to the child custody law that are exclusive to Michigan.

Being home to the best child custody lawyer in Michigan, we would like to use this little article as an opportunity to explain everything crucial pertaining to custody law in the state.

So without much further ado, let’s get started.

What is the Process of Filing for Child Custody in Michigan?

The process of filing for child custody is quite straightforward and entails the following:

  1. You’ll have to open the case in the family law division of the county court you reside in. Determine your type of case
  2. Complete all the necessary forms correctly
  3. Submit your signed forms to the clerk’s office
  4. Serve the other parent
  5. Wait for them to respond
  6. Arrange a meeting with the other parent to initiate the settlement process

We suggest seeking advice from the best child custody attorney in Michigan at Coppins Law Group for more clarity on the procedure.

Reasons a Judge will Change a Child’s Custody?

When it comes to rewarding child custody, it is important to note that the judge will always make a decision after considering the best interest of the child. As such, the judge will consider the following factors;

  •       The love or emotional connection apparent between the parent and the child.
  •       The capability of a parent to provide emotional and financial support to a child.
  •       The capability of a parent to fulfill the basic needs of a child like food, clothing, and shelter.
  •       The moral capacity of the parent
  •       The mental and physical health of the parent
  •       The personal preference of the child, if he or she is old enough to make that decision.

We suggest contacting a child custody attorney in Michigan to learn more about reasons that could influence a judge’s decision.

How to File for Emergency Custody in Michigan

An emergency custody order, also known as the ex-parte order occurs when a parent requests to decide on child custody without the involvement of the other parent. It is a temporary custody order granted by a judge under special circumstances where the filing parent must prove that their child is at risk of harm.

How to get emergency custody in Michigan?

As we said before, you must prove that your child is at risk of being harmed or could be exposed to severe injury if the court waits to have a hearing on the matter. You’ll have to work with a lawyer that specializes in Michigan family law child custody to discuss and gather the evidence needed to prove that an ex parte order is absolutely necessary.

Once the court grants an emergency order, a hearing should be held at a later date where both parties get an opportunity to be heard.

How much does it Cost to File for Custody in Michigan?

To open a child custody case in Michigan you’ll need to pay a filing fee of around $250 when submitting your signed forms. If you can’t afford the fee, then you can also file a fee waiver request.

Can you get a court-appointed attorney for child custody in Michigan?

Yes, you will be assigned a child custody attorney if the court finds the parent financially unable to hire their own attorney. There is an exception to this rule, however, if you happen to be a parent who has willingly given up your parental rights. It would be wise to consult someone apt in Michigan family court laws for some clarity on this matter.

Is Michigan a 50/50 custody State?

Most of the time, a judge will decide to grant joint custody of the child to a parent. This is what is called 50/50 custody where both parents enjoy shared legal and physical custody of the child. Joint custody doesn’t necessarily mean an even 50-50 split. In fact, the arrangement will depend on the parent’s schedule. As such, one parent may get slightly more time with the child than the other.

If you wish to learn more about changing child custody, then we suggest you waste no time giving Coppins Law Group a call to get counsel from the best lawyer for child custody modification in town.

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Are you facing criminal charges, or dealing with family legal issues? Both are sticky situations, so hire a trusted attorney. Call Coppins Law Group!

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