Articles Posted in Criminal Defense

Losing your driver’s license because of a medical condition can be frustrating, stressful, and disruptive to your daily life. In Michigan, the Secretary of State has the legal authority to suspend your license if they believe a physical or mental condition makes it unsafe for you to drive. This process is called a medical suspension, and it often catches drivers by surprise. Many people find themselves suddenly without driving privileges after a medical review or Driver Assessment Reexamination, even if their doctor believes they are capable of driving safely. Understanding how medical suspensions work, the role of the Physician’s Statement...

Winning a Michigan license restoration hearing requires months of preparation, not days. OHAO hearing officers expect comprehensive sobriety documentation, a professionally completed substance use evaluation, detailed witness letters, and consistent testimony. Poorly prepared petitions are denied, and an unsuccessful petition can significantly delay restoration. If you live in Bloomfield Hills or anywhere in the Metro Detroit area, recognizing what the hearing officer expects before you file is one of the most important steps you can take. Oakland County license restoration lawyer Paul J. Tafelski of Michigan Defense Law has been recognized by Super Lawyers from 2011 to 2013 and 2017...

Yes. A DUI conviction can be appealed in Michigan. Michigan law uses the term operating while intoxicated (OWI) for the offense commonly called DUI, and the available appeal depends on how and where the conviction was entered. A higher court can review legal errors, insufficient evidence, or properly raised problems involving chemical testing. Related driver’s license sanctions follow separate rules and do not automatically stop while the criminal appeal is pending. Attorney Paul J. Tafelski of Michigan Defense Law represents drivers in Oakland County and throughout Michigan who are seeking to challenge DUI convictions. As an Oakland County OWI defense...

Yes. If your driver’s license has been suspended indefinitely in Michigan, you can get it back, but it will not happen automatically. Unlike a suspension with a fixed end date, an indefinite suspension remains in effect until you fix the underlying issue and satisfy the court or the Michigan Department of State. Depending on your situation, this may require paying outstanding fines, completing court-ordered programs, or submitting medical or substance use evaluations. Restoring your driving privileges requires clear answers and precise paperwork. Attorney Paul J. Tafelski and the team at Michigan Defense Law have years of experience helping drivers across...

Yes. Attending Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is not legally required to win a Michigan license restoration case. Counseling records, non-AA support programs, treatment completion certificates, letters of support, and a current substance abuse evaluation can all carry the same weight when they are specific and consistent. Michigan license restoration attorney Paul J. Tafelski has practiced law in Michigan for over twenty years and handles Michigan license restoration cases for drivers across the state and for former residents applying from out of state. We can review your sobriety documentation, tell you honestly whether your file is ready, and explain what it needs....

Getting your Michigan driver’s license back requires clear proof that your substance abuse is under control and will stay that way. You must provide a recent substance evaluation, a documented sobriety date, credible support letters, and testimony that matches your documents. Hearing officers demand a longer record of sobriety if you have past relapses. A successful hearing grants you a restricted license with an ignition interlock device before you earn a full license. At Paul J. Tafelski, Michigan Defense Law, we help drivers throughout Oakland County prepare and present these appeals. Driver’s license restoration attorney Paul J. Tafelski has been...

Michigan law uses the term OWI, which stands for operating while intoxicated. DUI is a common term for impaired driving, but OWI is the term used for Michigan charges under MCL 257.625. Michigan does not permit sobriety checkpoints because the state Supreme Court found suspicionless roadblocks unconstitutional. However, even without checkpoints, police in Oakland County and statewide can still stop drivers based on reasonable suspicion and make OWI arrests based on probable cause. At Paul J. Tafelski, Michigan Defense Law, we defend drivers facing OWI and other criminal charges throughout Oakland County. Our OWI defense lawyers review the legality of...

A 12-panel drug test screens for 12 specific substances and is commonly ordered in Michigan driver’s license restoration hearings, probation supervision, and criminal cases involving drug offenses. The test detects marijuana, cocaine, opiates, amphetamines, benzodiazepines, and several other controlled substances. Understanding what the test covers, how it works, and what a positive result means for your legal situation can make a significant difference in how you prepare for court proceedings or administrative hearings in Oakland County and throughout Michigan. Oakland County OWI Lawyer Paul J. Tafelski at Michigan Defense Law has over 25 years of experience representing clients in Oakland...

OWI (Operating While Intoxicated) and OWVI (Operating While Visibly Impaired) are different offenses under the Michigan Vehicle Code. OWI is not limited to a BAC reading alone. In Michigan, prosecutors can establish the offense either by showing an unlawful bodily alcohol content or by proving the driver was under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or a combination of the two. OWVI is the lesser offense and requires proof that, because of alcohol, drugs, or another intoxicating substance, the person’s ability to drive was visibly impaired. This difference affects penalties, points, and license sanctions. At Michigan Defense Law, Oakland County criminal...

A felony conviction does not automatically disqualify you from every airport job in Michigan. The answer depends on the type of felony, how long ago it occurred, and which position you are applying for. Some felonies permanently bar you from working for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), while others only result in a temporary disqualification period. Many non-TSA positions at airports, including retail, food service, and airline customer service roles, have separate hiring standards that may be more flexible. At Michigan Defense Law, Oakland County felony defense attorney Paul J. Tafelski helps people facing felony charges understand how a conviction...