DUI Defense Strategies: Protecting Your Future

Are you facing a DUI charge in Michigan? The consequences can be overwhelming—fines, jail time, license suspension, increased insurance rates, and a permanent criminal record. These consequences can often be minimized or even avoided with help from the right criminal defense attorney. Dan Geherin, a former prosecutor and board-certified trial attorney, has spent over 25 years defending drivers across Washtenaw County and throughout Michigan. His approach combines legal experience with aggressive advocacy to protect his clients' futures.

Understanding the Stakes

Penalties vary depending on whether it's a first, second, or third offense, and whether aggravating factors exist—such as high blood alcohol content (BAC), a child in the car, or causing an accident. The outcome of a DUI case can have a lasting impact on your life, your job, your freedom, and your driving privileges. That’s why Attorney Dan Geherin focuses on crafting tailored defense strategies to challenge the charges and protect his clients’ rights.

Common DUI Defense Strategies in Michigan

1. Challenging the Stop

One of the first lines of defense is questioning whether the traffic stop was lawful. Police must have reasonable suspicion to pull you over. If the officer lacked a valid reason—such as erratic driving, a traffic violation, or another observable issue—any evidence gathered after the stop could be suppressed.

2. Disputing Field Sobriety Tests

Standardized field sobriety tests (like the walk-and-turn or one-leg stand) are often used to establish probable cause. These tests are subjective and can be influenced by many factors: fatigue, medical conditions, poor weather, or even nervousness. Attorney Dan Geherin frequently examines whether these tests were administered properly and whether the results are reliable.

3. Questioning the Breath or Blood Test Results

Michigan law requires that police follow strict procedures when conducting chemical tests. Breathalyzer machines must be properly calibrated, and blood draws must follow chain-of-custody protocols. Any deviation from standard procedures can result in inaccurate BAC readings. Dan Geherin often brings in expert witnesses to analyze these issues and challenge the validity of the test results.

4. Examining Officer Conduct and Reports

Discrepancies between a police report and dashboard/bodycam footage can raise red flags. If the officer exaggerated symptoms of intoxication or omitted important facts, the defense may argue that the case lacks credibility. Dan Geherin scrutinizes every detail, from initial contact through arrest and booking.

5. Seeking Alternative Resolutions

For first-time offenders or cases involving borderline BAC levels, Dan Geherin works to secure alternatives to conviction—such as Sobriety Court, deferred sentencing, or plea agreements that avoid criminal convictions. These options can reduce your penalties and sometimes lead to dismissal upon successful completion of a program.

Protecting Your Driver’s License

One of the most immediate concerns following a DUI arrest is the potential loss of your driver’s license. In Michigan, a first OWI conviction can result in a six-month license suspension. A second offense within seven years can result in a revoked license—a much more serious consequence that requires a formal driver’s license reinstatement process in Michigan.

Dan Geherin and his team at Geherin Law Group specialize in helping clients navigate the reinstatement process, including preparing for DAAD (Driver Assessment and Appeal Division) hearings, gathering necessary documentation, and demonstrating sobriety and rehabilitation. With a strong defense and proactive approach, clients can often return to the road sooner than they expect.

Why Experience Matters

DUI defense is complex and technical. It involves constitutional law, science, administrative procedures, and courtroom advocacy. Dan Geherin brings a rare combination of skills to the table:

• Former prosecutor with extensive trial experience
• Board-Certified by the NBTA in Criminal Trial Law
• Author of Michigan Drunk Driving and Driver’s License Restoration Handbook
• Regularly recognized by Super Lawyers, Martindale-Hubbell, and Avvo

Our team takes a client-first approach, offering honest advice, personalized attention, and a relentless drive to secure the best possible outcomes. 

Don’t Let One Mistake Define Your Future

A DUI charge doesn’t have to ruin your life. With skilled representation and a strategic defense, it’s possible to protect your rights, fight for your license, and move forward.

Whether you’re facing your first offense or you’re seeking driver’s license reinstatement in Michigan after a revocation, attorney Dan Geherin is ready to help. He’s built a reputation as one of Michigan’s most trusted DUI and license restoration attorneys—because he treats every case like it’s the most important one he’ll ever handle.