What Criminal Charges Have Driver's License Consequences?

Daniel T. Geherin, attorney and owner of the Geherin Law Group in Ann Arbor, is a criminal defense attorney and driver’s license appeals specialist.  Dan—a former prosecutor and board-certified criminal trial attorney—is also the founder of MiLicenseLawyer.com and author of The Michigan Drunk Driving and Driver’s License Restoration Handbook.  Dan has dedicated his career to both defending criminal allegations and helping put clients back on the road following a license revocation/suspension, and he is recognized as both a criminal and license appeals expert in Ann Arbor and throughout Michigan.    

Over the last 20 years, Dan has advised clients charged with criminal offenses on how to avoid license sanctions and best protect their ability to drive.  He is well-versed in all of the criminal laws that might carry “hidden” driver’s license sanctions, such as the following: 

OWI/DUI/Drunk Driving:  Quite obviously, all alcohol and drug-related driving offenses carry license sanctions.  However, there are significant differences in sanctions depending upon charge and a person’s driving record, so having a criminal defense attorney in Ann Arbor is great—but having an attorney who specializes in DUI and license restoration is ideal.

Motor Vehicle Offenses:  Most crimes related to operation of a vehicle also have license consequences.  For example:  Reckless/Careless Driving; Driving While License Suspended; Unlawfully Driving Away (UDAA); Flee/Elude Police; Failure to Yield to Emergency Vehicle; and Moving Violations Causing Injury/Death.  So, having a criminal defense attorney to defend these charges is extremely important to avoid costly license consequences.

Drug Offenses:  Shockingly, most drug offenses have driver’s license consequences, even if they have nothing to do with driving a vehicle.  In fact, simple possession of controlled substances will result in a long-term license suspension unless the offender qualifies and completes a diversion program.  Thus, finding an attorney with knowledge of these diversion programs is imperative to keeping driving privileges.

Bench Warrants:  If a person fails to appear in court on certain misdemeanor or felony offenses, the court might abstract that warrant to the Secretary of State, which results in a license suspension until the person appears to clear up the warrant.  Unfortunately, people sometimes they don’t realize they’ve missed a court date until their license is suspended.  And, clients are often intimidated to show up in court once there is a warrant, fearful of being sent to jail.  Having an experienced criminal defense attorney can ease those concerns and might help in recalling the warrant and reinstate the license. 

If you're facing a criminal charge and you are concerned over possible driver’s license consequences, please consider the combination of extensive criminal/license experience of the Geherin Law Group.  We’re available 24/7, we know the driver’s license sanctions inside and out, and we’ll fight zealously to protect and restore your license.  For more information, contact us, or call 24/7 at (734) 263-2780.