Legal Question in DUI Law in Michigan

I received an OWI in May of 2008. I was ordered to start making my payments in September of 2008. The OWI caused me to lose everything, my job, home, my car. I had to move in with I didnt know very well just to put a roof over my head. We went for weeks at a time without electricity and did not at all have a phone line. I did everything I could to come up with my first payment on time but failed. I had no way of contacting the court to ask to see my probation officers to see what I could do about not having the funds to pay my first month with. I have since worked very hard to get myself out of the place I was and am now able to pay my fines in full. I am worried though for being in violation for so long that I may be sentenced to jail time and have more fines added on. I am ok with having more fines but am worried about the jail time. If I have to do jail time I will lose my job and thus be right back in the same boat I was in in the first place and not have the income to pay the additional fines. I rely on my room mate to get back and for from work as he is also my co worker. I will have no way to seek other work or even attend it if I do find it if I lose the job I have now. Is there anything I can do to avoid jail time?


Asked on 11/16/09, 3:01 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Daniel Hajji Daniel Hajji & Associates

You are not the first to be in this position. There are many probationers nowadays finding themselves in this financial situation. Contact your probationer officer and tell her/him that you want to pay your fines... You have likely been violated by your probation officer. You can not ignore it. Show that you are responsible and taking necessary steps to resolve your matter by voluntarily paying your fines and turning yourself in without being picked up on a bench warrant. Mail or have someone drop off the payment to the Court asap.

Depending on your Judge, she/he ought to be sympathetic to your past financial circumstances, especially in this Michigan economy. For you to say that you didn't have any means to contact the probation officer is not a good excuse and won't likely fly.You need an attorney who can put your matter into prospective in an effort to avoid jailtime. While it is possible that you may be jailed but I doubt it especially if this is your first violation. Best of luck to you. If you have any questions, contact our office and ask to speak to Dan Hajji. 248.865.4700 or toll free at (888) 484-9349.

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Answered on 11/21/09, 6:26 am


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