Being ‘super drunk’ may sound like a goofy term, but the reality is anything but funny!
‘Super’ is one of those words that can have multiple meanings, depending on the context. When something is super, it’s awesome and wonderful. Superman has incredible strength and ‘superpowers’ which could be defined as powers that defy understanding. If, however, something is super bad, that would make it really terrible. So what does that mean for the definition of ‘super drunk’?
You guessed it – very drunk. Or extra drunk. Or waaaaaay more drunk than the regular variety of drunk. (Is there even a regular variety of drunk?) When Michigan passed the ‘super drunk’ law many people spoke out about how they felt that the title ‘super drunk’ failed to convey the severity of the problem, and could lead to confusion. We have certainly had to clarify some points in recent years for some of our clients. So we thought we’d provide you with a super basic breakdown. (Did you see what we did there?)
What does ‘super drunk’ mean in Michigan?
In Michigan, a driver whose blood-alcohol content (BAC) is 0.08 or above can be arrested and charged for drunk driving. However, once a driver’s BAC reaches 0.17, which is just more than twice the legal limit, they are considered to be ‘super drunk.’
What are the penalties for being super drunk?
The penalties for super drunk driving in Michigan can depend on a number of factors.For example, if you’ve been charged for being super drunk and this is your first offense, or you’ve had no other drunk driving convictions in the last seven years, you could expect any of the following penalties:
- A fine of up to $700
- Possible jail time of up to 180 days
- Up to 360 hours of community service
- Possible license suspension or restriction for up to 1 year
- 6 points added to your license
- Mandatory completion of an alcohol treatment program
- Use of an ignition interlock device
- 45 days driver’s license suspension
However, for those people with prior drunk driving records from the last seven years who are convicted of being super drunk, the penalties may be even harsher. Even standard DUI punishments get extremely severe as the occurrences increase. Super drunk driving is no different.
How do I defend myself against super drunk charges?
The answer: you don’t! In the same way that you don’t do your own surgery, fly your own plane or rewire your own house (unless you happen to be highly trained in those areas) you shouldn’t defend yourself in court. Super drunk driving, while it may have a somewhat silly sounding name, is an extremely serious charge.
If you or a loved one have been accused of drugged driving, DUI, OWI or drunk driving, you are going to need an aggressive and highly skilled defense attorney with decades of experience on your side. Lucky for you, The Kronzek Firm has about a quarter of a century of experience successfully defending clients against drunk driving charges, among other things, and we can help you too. If you are facing drunk driving charges, contact us immediately at 866 766 5245. We will work with you to protect your rights and ensure that you get the best possible defense.