Underage DUI Lawyer in Ann Arbor, MI

Underage DUI charges in Michigan are serious, despite the defendant’s youth. Even when there are no signs of unsafe driving, Michigan law treats drivers under 21 differently from adult drivers. A low BAC reading can still lead to court involvement, license action, and a criminal record that can follow you or your child long after the case is resolved.

If you’re facing an underage DUI charge, or your son or daughter is, what you do in response can change everything. The lawyers at Geherin Law Group, PLLC, represent students at the University of Michigan and others charged with underage DUI offenses in Ann Arbor and surrounding areas. Our attorneys have decades of courtroom experience, including former prosecutorial experience and board-certified criminal trial work, in cases involving alcohol-related driving charges.

When you choose us, you’ll work directly with a lawyer who can explain how Michigan law applies to your situation. We’ll outline the available legal options based on the specifics of your case and build a strong, strategic defense to each charge. Contact Geherin Law Group, PLLC, today to review your underage DUI charge in Ann Arbor and learn how we can help.

Michigan’s Underage DUI Laws

Michigan does not use a single “underage DUI” statute. Instead, the law applies different charges depending on age, blood alcohol content, driving behavior, and chemical testing results. Drivers under 21 are held to stricter alcohol thresholds. Even very low BAC results can trigger court involvement or administrative action:

Zero tolerance for drivers under 21: Applies when a driver under 21 has any bodily alcohol content between 0.02% and 0.07%. This statute does not require proof of impairment and specifically targets drivers who are underage to drink.
Operating while intoxicated (OWI): Applies when a driver is impaired by alcohol or has a BAC of 0.08% or higher, regardless of age.
Operating while visibly impaired (OWVI): Applies when alcohol or drugs affect someone’s driving ability, even if their BAC is below 0.08%.
Super drunk OWI: Applies when a driver has a BAC of 0.17% or higher and carries enhanced penalties compared to a standard OWI.
Implied consent law: Governs chemical testing requirements after arrest and outlines the penalties for refusing a test.

Because these statutes overlap, a single traffic stop in Ann Arbor can lead to different charge levels depending on test results, officer observations, and how the stop is documented. The same incident may be charged as a zero-tolerance violation, OWVI, or OWI. An experienced underage DUI attorney from Geherin Law Group, PLLC, can explain your charges and how they might affect your future.

Juvenile Court vs. Adult Court in Ann Arbor, MI, Underage DUI Cases

Not every underage DUI case in Michigan goes through the same court system. Where your case lands depends mostly on your age at the time of the incident and how the charge is filed in Washtenaw County or the surrounding courts.

Some cases are handled in juvenile court when the driver is under 17. Other cases are filed in adult district court in Ann Arbor or nearby jurisdictions. This is important because each court follows a different set of rules and approaches the case in a different way. Juvenile court considerations include:

These are subject to age-based jurisdiction, generally for younger defendants under 17
There’s a focus on supervision and compliance rather than punishment, which can include probation terms, counseling requirements, or monitoring conditions
There are possible long-term juvenile record implications, which may affect school opportunities, licensing issues, and future court interactions

Adult court cases are handled in district court, including courts in Ann Arbor and throughout Washtenaw County. These cases follow the standard criminal court structure used for OWI-related offenses. For example:

They’re handled in your local district court, where OWI and related charges are formally processed
You’ll go to an arraignment where the charge is read, bond conditions are addressed, and future court dates are set
If convicted, you’ll be sentenced under Michigan’s OWI laws, which can include probation, fines, license restrictions, and other court-ordered requirements

Whether a case stays in juvenile court or moves into adult court can change how it is managed day to day—and what kinds of outcomes are available under Michigan law. Our attorneys can help advocate for your case to remain in juvenile court or otherwise minimize the consequences whenever possible.

Possible Driver’s License Consequences for Ann Arbor, MI, Underage DUI Cases

License consequences are often the first thing that catches people off guard in an underage DUI case. In many situations, the court case and the Secretary of State action move on separate tracks. That means your driving privileges can be affected even before the criminal case is resolved.

Suspensions depend on both test results and whether you agree to take a chemical test after arrest. Several statutes can affect what happened during the traffic stop:

Administrative suspension rules due to BAC results
Implied consent refusal penalties when you refuse a chemical test
Licensing restrictions related to alcohol-related offenses and underage driving rules

For many people, the license impact becomes one of the most disruptive parts of an underage DUI case, especially if you rely on driving for school, work, or daily responsibilities in the Ann Arbor area.

College and Campus-Related Consequences in Ann Arbor, MI

Underage DUI charges in Ann Arbor often involve college students, including those attending the University of Michigan and other nearby schools. Even though your criminal case is handled in court, the situation can also affect your standing with your school in ways that are separate from what happens in the legal system. A good lawyer can help you manage both disciplinary tracks.

Many colleges have their own conduct rules that apply when a student is arrested or charged with an alcohol-related offense. These rules can lead to school-based proceedings that run alongside the court case, even before anything is resolved in district court. Common non-court consequences include:

Campus disciplinary proceedings
Housing or student conduct reviews, especially if the incident involved campus property or student housing
Impact on scholarships, extracurricular activities, or student organization participation, depending on school policy

An underage DUI lawyer from Geherin Law Group, PLLC, can help you manage these overlapping consequences by coordinating the legal and school-related aspects of the situation. That can include reviewing what information should be shared with school officials and helping you respond to conduct allegations, all while working to resolve the criminal case in a way that limits additional fallout at the university level.

In some cases, the way the court case is handled can also influence how a school evaluates responsibility. That makes early legal guidance from a skilled attorney especially important when both systems are involved.

Talk to an Underage DUI Lawyer in Ann Arbor, MI, Today

An underage DUI charge can affect your day-to-day life for years to come. The outcome often depends on how the charge is classified and how the evidence was gathered. You need an experienced attorney on your side.

Geherin Law Group, PLLC, represents people facing underage DUI charges in Washtenaw County and Monroe County. Our attorneys’ experience includes former prosecutorial work and board-certified criminal trial experience.

If you’re dealing with an underage DUI charge, getting early legal guidance can help you understand what comes next and how each part of the case fits together—from court proceedings to license consequences and school-related issues. Contact us today to discuss your case.