Drunk Driving Charges in Romulus Michigan
Quick Facts about the 34th District Court in Romulus, Michigan, Wayne County District Court
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If you are charged with operating while intoxicated in the 34th District Court . . .
If you are charged with a DUI offense in Romulus, New Boston,Huron Township, Belleville, Van Buren Township, Detroit Metro Airport or Sumpter Township then your case will be heard in the 34th District Court in Romulus. The 34th District Court has three judges because of the increased number of cases arising out of Detroit Metropolitan Airport. The three current judges of the 34th District Court are the Honorable Tina Brooks Green, the Honorable David M. Parrott, and the Honorable Brian A. Oakley.
Although Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy and the various assistant prosecuting attorneys working under the elected official have the ability to prosecute drunk driving cases in the Romulus district court, most DUI cases in the 34th District Court are prosecuted by local jurisdictions using private attorneys who work under a contract with the city or township. In addition to the local jurisdictions, the Wayne County Sheriff and the Michigan State Police occasionally bring drunk driving charges in the Romulus District Court. When the case involves a Wayne County Sheriff's deputy or a Michigan State Trooper, these cases are handled primarily (although not exclusively) by the Wayne county prosecutor's office.
Michigan DUI Penalties
First Time Offender: Super Drunk Over .17 BAC
- Recorded as "misdemeanor" conviction as opposed to felony conviction on criminal record
- Jail up to 180 days
- Probation for up to 2 years with alcohol and drug monitoring
- Fines of $200 to $700, "plus court costs" which totals well over $1,000.00
- One year of alcohol rehabilitation
- 45 days hard suspension, eligible to drive for the balance of the year (320 days) if the offender pays to have a breath alcohol ignition interlock device installed in the vehicle
- Up to 360 hours community service
- Six points on your Michigan driver's license
- $1,000.00 per year for two years "Driver Responsibility Fee" charged by the Secretary of State through the Michigan Department of Treasury
A second offense for either super drunk, OWI, or OWVI within seven years of a prior OWI or OWVI results in tougher penalties, greater likelihood of jail, and a lifetime revocation of a person's driver's license. A third offense for any combination of OWI and OWVI charges in a lifetime is a felony OWI 3rd offense, which carries mandatory jail and a possible prison term of up to 5 years.
First Time Offender: OWI - Operating While Intoxicated (Same as DUI or DWI)
- Recorded as "misdemeanor" conviction as opposed to felony conviction on criminal record
- Jail up to 93 days
- Probation for up to 2 years with alcohol and drug monitoring
- Fines up to $500, "plus court costs" which totals over $1,000.00
- 30 days hard suspension on Michigan driver's license, eligible to drive for the balance of the six months (150 days) on a restricted basis, i.e. to / from / and in connection with work, court ordered programs, and emergency medical treatment
- Up to 360 hours community service
- Six points on your Michigan driver's license
- $1,000.00 per year for two years "Driver Responsibility Fee" charged by the Secretary of State through the Michigan Department of Treasury
A second offense for either OWI or OWVI within seven years of a prior OWI or OWVI results in tougher penalties, greater likelihood of jail, and a lifetime revocation of a person's driver's license. A third offense for any combination of OWI and OWVI charges in a lifetime is a felony OWI 3rd offense, which carries mandatory jail and a possible prison term of up to 5 years.
First Time Offender: OWVI - Operating While Impaired
- Recorded as "misdemeanor" conviction as opposed to felony conviction on criminal record
- Jail up to 93 days
- Probation for up to 2 years with alcohol and drug monitoring
- Fines up to $300, "plus court costs" which totals over $1,000.00
- 90 days restricted driving on Michigan driver's license, i.e. to / from / and in connection with work, court ordered programs, and emergency medical treatment
- Up to 360 hours community service
- Four points on your Michigan driver's license
- $500.00 per year for two years "Driver Responsibility Fee" charged by the Secretary of State through the Michigan Department of Treasury
A second offense for either OWI or OWVI within seven years of a prior OWI or OWVI results in tougher penalties, greater likelihood of jail, and a lifetime revocation of a person's driver's license. A third offense for any combination of OWI and OWVI charges in a lifetime is a felony OWI 3rd offense, which carries mandatory jail and a possible prison term of up to 5 years.
Drug and Alcohol Testing in the Romulus District Court
If you are convicted of a DUI in the Romulus district court, you may be subject to random chemical testing, including breath tests, transdermal monitoring (SCRAM tether), and urine tests. Increasingly, probation departments across Michigan are employing urine tests for alcohol known as EtG testing. The EtG test is a urine test that claims to detect biomarkers that result from the consumption of alcohol. Supposedly, these tests detect alcohol consumption for upwards of several weeks. If you have a positive EtG test but have not consumed alcohol, do not offer suggestions or defenses. Whenever you are going to court, whether it is in Romulus or elsewhere, assume that you might be subjected to drug or alcohol testing, and do not attempt to purchase gimmicks claiming to help pass a drug test.
Important: When reporting for probation, you will likely be given a breath test on a PBT. Do not arrive to court for a probation appointment after consuming alcohol!
34th District Court Sobriety Court Program
The Romulus District Court has a Sobriety Court program at this time.
Click to see the brochure
. The Romulus District Court instituted a sobriety court program several years ago, and was one of the first in Wayne County. Widely used in Oakland County courts, this intensive program is designed to address substance abuse problems. For repeat drunk driving offenders with alcohol problems, this program has proven remarkably successful, reducing recidivism and helping people. The program combines monitoring with frequent meetings, and a system of punishments and incentives. Important: The 34th District Court Sobriety Court program is NOT a state-approved program, so motorists facing a second offense for OWI 2nd will NOT be eligible for a restricted license. There are on-going discussions about getting a state-approved sobriety court program because it allows repeat offenders the ability to get a restricted license following a conviction. (Nonetheless, there have been some developments with the sobriety court programs that you must discuss with an attorney before accepting an offer on a sobriety court program!)
Important:
A Michigan driver who is convicted of two alcohol-related offenses within 7
years faces mandatory lifetime revocation with no driving privileges, i.e. no
restrictions, no breath interlock device, and no ability to get to and from
work. Michigan's Secretary of State places a nationwide hold on revoked
motorists, so moving to another state does not help. Under the Sobriety Court project
approved by lawmakers, certain Sobriety Court judges are permitted to overrule
the Secretary of State's revocation procedures after a minimum 45 day suspension, granting a restricted driver's
license to the Sobriety Court candidate.
Prosecuting Attorneys in the 34th District Court
There are a lot of jurisdictions under one roof in Romulus. Unlike Westland or Garden City, where there is only one local and one state prosecutor, the 34th District Court has a number of prosecutors. In some instances, it is difficult to determine which prosecutor will handle the case. And in some instances, the prosecutor might even change to a different prosecutor during the course of a contested case. Please note: We do not recommend that you contact the prosecutors directly! It is always wiser to have your lawyer engage in all communications with the prosecutor because statements that you make can be used against you.
State Prosecutor for Wayne County
Kym L. Worthy (P38875)
Wayne County Prosecutor
1441 Saint Antoine St
Frank Murphy Hall of Justice
Detroit, MI 48226
Phone: (313) 224-5777
Fax: (313) 224-8180
e-Mail: kworthy@co.Wayne.mi.us
City of Romulus Prosecutor
Josh Kaplan(P76596)
Joshua A. Kaplan PLLC
29800 Telegraph Rd
Southfield, MI 48034
Phone: (248) 353-6500
Fax: (248) 353-2514
e-Mail: joshua.adam.kaplan@gmail.com
New Boston and Huron Township Prosecuting Attorney
Kevin Foley (P40051)
Krystal Lynn Tulacz (P72975)
Foley & Robinette PC
13349 Reeck Ct
Regency Park
Southgate, MI 48195
Phone: (734) 283-4000
Fax: (734) 283-4587
e-Mail: drobinette@frlawpc.com
City of Belleville, Michigan Prosecutor
Adam Levitsky (P56179)
Plunkett Cooney
Giarmarco Mullins & Horton PC
101 W Big Beaver Rd Fl 10
Troy, MI 48084
Phone: (248) 457-7029
Fax: (248) 404-6329
e-Mail: alevitsky@gmhlaw.com
Van Buren Township Prosecuting Attorney
Angela Marie Mannarino (P72374)
Gasiorek Morgan Greco McCauley & Kotzian PC
30500 Northwestern Hwy Ste 425
Farmington Hills, MI 48334
Phone: (248) 865-0001
Fax: (248) 865-0002
e-Mail: amannarino@gmgmklaw.com
Special Prosecutor for Detroit Metro Airport
Matthew A. Zick (P48951)
17735 Fort St
Riverview, MI 4819
Phone: (734) 285-8500
Fax: (734) 282-4665
Sumpter Township Prosecuting Attorney
Robert P. Young (P35486)
Law Offices of Robert P. Young PC
400 Monroe St Ste 480
Detroit, MI 48226
Phone: (734) 347-8965
Fax: (313) 963-2333
e-Mail: ryoung@400monroe.com
34th District Court Judges
The following opinions are drawn from my experiences and dealings with the Romulus judges in the 34th District Court. It's important to understand that these are just my opinions, and other lawyers might disagree. Because I routinely challenge drunk driving cases, however, my experience with a particular judge might be different from another lawyer, especially when that attorney does not take cases to trial. None of the comments here should be viewed as an attempt to discredit a particular judge or reflect poorly upon the judiciary. The Romulus judges generally do not order jail time in DUI cases, and I generally enjoy cases in this jurisdiction. With that in mind, however, there are serious ramifications to a DUI conviction, so you should treat this case very seriously.
Hon. David M. Parrott
Judge Parrott can be a difficult judge, but after years of struggling with this particular judge, it appears that the last few years have been reasonably pleasant. He tends to impose terms and conditions that are slightly more harsh than his two counterparts in the 34th District Court, but he does not make it impossible for a person to survive their courtroom experience. He is generally not defense-friendly but his rulings might go equally as harsh against prosecutors. I give him credit in that I had a recent Huron Township case where my client struck a fire engine. Huron Township attempted to force my client to pay for a new fire engine, even though the damaged fire engine was near the end of its service cycle. Judge Parrott did not buy the prosecutor's arguments, and, although he awarded restitution, it was not nearly the amount sought by Huron Township. You can read more about Judge David M. Parrott on Ballotpedia.
Hon. Brian A. Oakley
Judge Oakley is an excellent judge and a former defense lawyer who practiced in Romulus for many years before taking the bench. You simply cannot get a better judge deciding motions or at trial. I have waived the right to a jury trial before Judge Oakley, which I almost never, ever do in any court. That said, I still have my fair share of jury trials before Judge Oakley, and he is very involved during a jury trial. He emphasizes the jury's awesome responsibility and talks with the jurors, explaining how much he loves jury trials. He does not always rule in my favor, and being charged with a drunk driving crime is never a cake walk, but you are in one of the best courts before one of the best judges if you have a case that can be challenged. You can read more about Judge Brian A. Oakley on Ballotpedia.
Hon. Tina Brooks Green
Judge Tina Brooks Green is an excellent judge, and I have know her for years. She will help me out and dismiss a DUI case when prosecutors fail to take appropriate action in certain instances. Nonetheless, Judge Green will fall on the side of law enforcement when the decision could go either way. Although I have had some decent victories before Judge Green and maintain a very good relationship with her, there are occasions where she is too pro-law enforcement. At trial, Judge Green is always very fair judge, and I love doing jury trials in her courtroom. She provides a very neutral tone before the jurors. At sentencing, Judge Green is absolutely fair and reasonable. You can read more about Judge Tina Brooks Green on Ballotpedia.
Directions to the 34th District Court
The court is located at 11131 Wayne Road Romulus, MI 48174, and the court's telephone number is (734) 941-4462. The court is located south of I-94, just east of the I-94 and I-275 interchange. Take Wayne Road south off the I-94 exit and travel south of intersection / traffic light at Goddard Road. The 34th District Court is located on the left / east side of Wayne road. More information about the 34th District Court is located on the 34th District Court website, and online payments may be made on Municipal Payment Solutions. Currently, you cannot perform a case search online, but I hope that the 34th District Court case lookup system will be online soon.
If You Are Searching for Qualified Romulus DUI Lawyers . . .
If you are currently charged with drunk driving in Romulus, Michigan, and seeking the most experienced Romulus DUI lawyer to represent you in the 34th District Court, please send us a message or call our office at (888) 941-1122 or locally at (734) 591-0100.
William Maze can provide you with the highest quality representation in your Romulus drunk driving case. Mr. Maze is an award-winning attorney and one of Michigan's leading drunk driving defense lawyers. He is certified in standardized field sobriety tests and teaches other lawyers how to defend DUI cases. He has been trained on the BAC Datamaster breath testing device at National Patent Analytical Systems and owns two Datamaster devices as well as PBTs. He has received toxicology training in blood and urine testing, and he has attended hundreds of hours of specialized training in DUI defense across the county.
William has handled many Romulus DUI cases and routinely appears before the judges of the 34th District Court, successfully representing clients through motions and jury trials that have resulted in favorable rulings. If you want to know more about William's nearly 20 years of experience fighting drunk driving cases or what you might expect as a result in your case, call our office and schedule an appointment with Mr. Maze.
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