Child Endangerment
Child Endangerment, OWI, OWVI, OWPD With Occupant Under Age 16
In Michigan, a person who drives while intoxicated, impaired, or with the presence of any amount of a controlled substance is guilty of "child endangerment" if a child under the age of 16 years of age is a passenger in the vehicle. A second child endangerment conviction within 7 years is a felony!
1st Offense Child Endangerment, Passenger Under Age 16
| License Sanctions | 90 days suspended, 90 days restricted |
| Maximum Jail | 5 days to 1 year |
| Maximum Fine | $200 to $1000, plus costs |
| Community Service | 30 to 90 days |
| Vehicle Immobilization | 0 to 180 days |
2nd Offense Child Endangerment Within 7 Years, Felony
| License Sanctions | Indefinite revocation for 2 offenses within 7 years or 3 within 10 |
| Maximum Jail | 1 to 5 years in prison, or probation with imprisonment in the county jail for not less than 30 days to 1 year and community service for not less than 60 days or more than 180 days. |
| Maximum Fine | $500 to $5000, plus costs |
| Community Service | 60 to 180 days |
| Vehicle Immobilization | 1 to 3 years unless forfeited |
| License Plate Action | Confiscated |
Michigan also has a "zero tolerance" child endangerment law when a driver under the age of 21 has a passenger under age 16 and gets caught with any amount of alcohol.
A child endangerment conviction can label you for a lifetime. We have been able to avoid child endangerment convictions for many clients facing this dreadful charge. In addition to defending the underlying case, we like to obtain positive client background information which we will use in negotiations.
Our lawyers can effectively defend clients charged with Michigan child endangerment in all courts including Oakland and Macomb County from Royal Oak to Romeo.
