The spring season is full of opportunities to celebrate. There are some very exciting Saint Patrick’s Day festivals across West Michigan. There are concerts at various venues and sporting events at many of the colleges and universities across the state.
Additionally, many people in West Michigan wait with excitement every year for Oberon Day. People in Michigan often refer to Oberon Day, or the release date for a locally beloved craft beer, as the true start of spring.
Those who celebrate Oberon Day might end their evening out with an operating while intoxicated (OWI) arrest. What started as a seasonal rite of passage could generate long-lasting consequences.
Overindulging is easy in a social setting
Individuals enjoying a single drink with dinner or a beer after work can monitor and regulate their consumption. Those drinking in a celebratory social environment may find self-regulation to be a bit more challenging. When everyone is toasting with the same brew repeatedly or the facility serves the beer in pitchers rather than individual servings, the risk of consuming too much is hard to ignore. Celebrants headed home because they have to work the next day could get pulled over and then arrested.
OWI convictions can lead to driver’s license suspensions, jail time and financial consequences. Thankfully, there may be ways to avoid a conviction after an OWI arrest. The circumstances leading to the charges may influence the best strategy.
Those facing OWI charges often need help exploring their options. Fighting the charges or negotiating a plea deal can both be ways to limit the aftermath of a recent OWI arrest.