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By: Ben Hall | Attorney and Owner of Ben Hall Law | Marine Corps and Iraq War Veteran | Former Police Officer | Former Prosecutor
Published: August 23, 2026
If you were arrested for OWI in Howell, the pressure starts immediately. You are not just dealing with a court date. You may also be facing license sanctions, 6 points on your record, insurance problems, and questions about how you are going to get to work, school, or home.
Ben Hall Law helps Howell drivers fight OWI charges with serious criminal defense built around the facts of the stop, the testing, and the way the case was put together. From our East Lansing office, we represent people across the region who need more than a quick plea. You get a law firm that prepares every case as if it is going to trial and brings the perspective of a former police officer and former prosecutor to the details that often matter most.
Whether your stop happened on I-96, M-59, Grand River Avenue, near downtown Howell, around Thompson Lake, or after a night out near Tanger Outlets Howell, the same issue applies fast: what the state can prove, and what can be challenged before the consequences deepen.
An OWI charge in Michigan can begin with a breath result, a blood draw, field sobriety testing, or simply an officer’s claim that your driving showed impairment. Michigan treats a bodily alcohol content of 0.08 or greater as OWI for adults over 21, but an arrest can still happen at a lower BAC if the officer says your ability to drive was impaired.
Ben Hall Law handles Howell OWI defense with that reality in mind. We do not assume the arrest was valid just because it happened. We go back to the traffic stop, review how the officer built probable cause, examine the field sobriety and chemical testing process, and look for weaknesses that can change the direction of the case.
“Ben Hall Law helps Howell drivers protect more than a court file. A first-offense OWI can bring 6 points and license sanctions that affect daily life right away.”
If this is your first arrest, you may feel pressure to get it over with. That can be expensive. A plea can affect your criminal record and your ability to drive long after the first hearing is over, which is why early defense matters.
Ben Hall Law also understands that OWI cases are not only about what happened on the roadside. They are about what happens next to your record, your license, your schedule, and your future.
flowchart LR
A[Traffic stop in Howell] --> B[Arrest or citation]
B --> C[Chemical test or refusal issue]
C --> D[Criminal case begins]
D --> E[License sanctions and points]
E --> F[Defense review by Ben Hall Law]
F --> G[Challenge stop, testing, and proof]
For many drivers in Howell, the biggest mistake is waiting until the case feels more serious. By then, deadlines, court settings, and license problems may already be shaping your options.
OWI defense is not one generic argument. Ben Hall Law builds the defense by checking how the case started and how the evidence was collected. That matters because weaknesses often show up in the procedure, not just in the final police report.
In a Howell OWI case, we may review issues such as:
Ben Hall Law’s own case results include an OWI/DUI matter that was reduced after review of the traffic stop and breath test procedures. That does not mean every case ends the same way, but it does show how careful examination of the stop and testing can create leverage that a rushed defense misses.
“Ben Hall Law has documented an OWI/DUI reduction after reviewing the traffic stop and breath test procedures.”
You should also know that the prosecution’s version of events is not the only version that matters. A report may sound polished on paper, but the timeline, the video, the testing sequence, and the officer’s observations still have to hold up under scrutiny.
flowchart TD
A[Ben Hall Law OWI review] --> B[Why were you stopped?]
A --> C[What did the officer observe?]
A --> D[How were tests administered?]
A --> E[Does the report match the evidence?]
B --> F[Possible suppression issues]
C --> F
D --> G[Possible testing challenges]
E --> H[Credibility and proof issues]
F --> I[Stronger defense position]
G --> I
H --> I
That level of review can make a real difference if you are trying to avoid a weak plea, protect your driving privileges, or challenge a charge that moved too quickly.
Ben Hall Law helps you evaluate both parts of the problem: the criminal case and the license consequences. In Michigan, court materials and Department of State records show that an OWI plea or conviction can carry jail exposure, fines, points, and suspension or restriction consequences that begin affecting your life almost immediately.
For a first-offense OWI, Ben Hall Law’s OWI materials state that you may face up to 93 days in jail, fines up to $500, 6 points, and mandatory community service or substance abuse programming. Separate Secretary of State records show a first-offense OWI under MCL 257.625(1) carries a 30-day suspension and 150-day restriction.
“Ben Hall Law helps Howell drivers act early because a first-offense OWI can mean a 30-day suspension, a 150-day restriction, and 6 points.”
High-BAC cases raise the stakes further. Michigan’s high-BAC law applies at 0.17 or higher, and Michigan court materials tied to MCL 257.625(1)(c) describe a mandatory one-year suspension with a possible restricted license after 45 days in certain situations.
Here is a practical snapshot of the issues many Howell drivers are dealing with:
| Michigan OWI issue | What triggers it | Why it matters to you |
|---|---|---|
| Standard OWI | BAC of 0.08 or greater for most adult drivers | Criminal charge, 6 points, and license sanctions can follow |
| Impairment-based arrest | Observable impairment even below 0.08 | You can still be charged without a high BAC result |
| High BAC | 0.17 BAC or greater | Enhanced penalties and a one-year suspension issue |
| First-offense license action | SOS offense code consequences | 30-day suspension and 150-day restriction can disrupt work and family life |
If you drive between Howell and Lansing, Novi, Brighton, Ann Arbor, or other parts of Southeast and Mid-Michigan for work, school, or family obligations, those sanctions are not minor. They can change your daily routine before the criminal case is finished.
Ben Hall Law was built on firsthand experience inside the criminal justice system. Ben Hall is a former police officer and former prosecutor, which means your defense is shaped by someone who understands how an officer frames a stop, how a prosecutor evaluates a charge, and where weak points may be hiding in the state’s case.
That background matters in OWI cases because these cases often look stronger at first glance than they actually are. Ben Hall Law uses that inside perspective to question how the investigation was conducted, whether the evidence was gathered correctly, and whether the prosecution is relying on assumptions instead of proof.
A client testimonial highlighted on Ben Hall Law’s attorney materials states that Ben Hall’s knowledge of traffic and criminal laws helped change a potential criminal case into a fine with 0 points. Every case depends on its own facts, but that kind of client feedback is directly tied to the kind of issue Howell drivers worry about most: keeping a traffic-related case from causing bigger damage than it should.
“A Ben Hall Law client described an outcome that changed from a potential criminal case to a fine and 0 points.”
We also prepare each case as though it is going to trial. That standard helps prevent shortcuts, sharpens negotiations, and gives you a defense strategy built for the real risks in front of you.
Ben Hall Law is a strong fit if you want a defense lawyer who treats your case like a serious legal problem, not just a docket number. You may be a good fit for our Howell OWI defense if:
Ben Hall Law is also a practical choice if this is your first arrest and you are trying to make smart decisions before fear pushes you into a bad one. Many people charged in Howell have never been through the criminal system before and simply need clear advice, straight answers, and an attorney who will actually study the file.
If your case involves a young driver, a college student home from Michigan State, or a parent trying to help a son or daughter after an arrest in Livingston County, we understand how quickly an OWI accusation starts raising bigger life questions.
Start by protecting your right to a careful review of the case. Keep every document you received, avoid guessing about the evidence, and speak with a defense lawyer before you make decisions that affect your record or your license. Ben Hall Law can help you understand what happened, what deadlines matter, and what the next phase of the case is likely to involve.
Yes. Michigan treats 0.08 or greater as OWI for most adults, but drivers can still be arrested and charged at lower BAC levels if the officer claims there were signs of impairment while operating the vehicle.
Michigan Department of State records show a first-offense OWI under MCL 257.625(1) carries 6 points, a 30-day suspension, and a 150-day restriction. Those are separate from the criminal penalties in court, which is why Ben Hall Law looks at both sides of the case from the beginning.
Michigan’s high-BAC law applies at 0.17 or higher. Court materials tied to MCL 257.625(1)(c) describe a mandatory one-year suspension and a possible restricted license after 45 days in certain situations, making these cases especially important to address early.
Yes. Ben Hall Law’s OWI defense approach includes reviewing the traffic stop, field sobriety testing, and breath or blood test procedures. The firm’s published case results include an OWI/DUI reduction after review of the traffic stop and breath test procedures.
A first offense can still bring jail exposure, fines, 6 points, and license sanctions. Even if you have never been in trouble before, the case can affect your record and your ability to drive. A lawyer helps you understand what can be challenged, what the real risks are, and whether the state’s evidence is as strong as it first appears.
If you were arrested for OWI in Howell or anywhere in Livingston County, do not wait for the case to define itself without a defense. Ben Hall Law helps drivers challenge the stop, the testing, and the prosecution’s assumptions while keeping the license consequences in clear view from day one.
The sooner you get your case reviewed, the sooner you can move from panic to a real plan. Contact Ben Hall Law to discuss your Howell OWI charge and the next best step for protecting your record, your license, and your future.