GIVING ANOTHER PERMISSION TO OPERATE YOUR VEHICLE OR ONE YOU'RE IN CHARGE OF

Under Michigan DUI law (M.C.L. 257.625), if you own a vehicle or are in charge or in control of a vehicle, it is against the law for you to authorize or knowingly permit someone to operate the vehicle if: (1) the person is under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or both; (2) the person has a 0.08 blood, breath or urine alcohol level; (3) the person’s ability to operate the motor vehicle is visibly impaired due to consumption of alcohol, a controlled substance or both.

If you have been charged with having authorized or giving permission to someone who operated a vehicle you own, control or are in charge of, and that person commits one of the above violations, then we recommend that you contact a Michigan DUI attorney immediately.

AN OVERVIEW OF THE PUNISHMENT ENFORCED

Misdemeanor

If you are convicted of authorizing or knowingly permitting another person to operate your own vehicle, or one that you are in charge or control of, and that person commits one of the above violations, then you will be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 93 days or a fine of not less than $100.00 or more than $500.00, or both.

Misdemeanor Turns Into Felony

Your punishment, however, can escalate to a felony charge if the person that operated your vehicle is convicted of a felony charge under the Michigan DUI statute.

1. Causing Death

If the person operating the motor vehicle is convicted of either operating while intoxicated, operating while visibly impaired or operating with a controlled substance in the body, and by doing so caused the death of another person, then you will be charged with a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 5 years or a fine of not less than $1,500.00 or more than $10,000.00, or both.

2. Causing Serious Bodily Injury

If the person operating the motor vehicle is convicted of either operating while intoxicated, operating while visibly impaired or operating with a controlled substance in the body, and by doing so, caused a serious impairment of a body function of another person, then you will be found guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 2 years or a fine of not less than $1,000.00 or more than $5,000.00, or both.

If you have any questions or doubts about the Michigan DUI law related to giving permission, or if you were recently arrested for this, please contact a licensed Michigan DUI attorney. For a free legal consultation and case review, click on the link below.