friend drove my car drunk

[Eric Fairbanks]

I am looking for help--I live in Michigan(2years)--28 years of my life were spent in Pennsylvania. My friend was recently charged with OUIL and pled guilty to driving while impared(lesser charge) I was with him when pulled over--he was driving my car(doing me a favor--I was drunk). I am being charged with letting him drive--knowing he was drunk!!A Michigan statute--In PA this was not a crime!! Well, here in MI its a misdemeanor punishable by upto 90days in jail and min. $100 Max. $500 fine---non moving violation. I went to arrangement and plede not guilty--scheduled for pre-trail Feb.27 I talked to prosecutor he said he never heard of anyone charged with this but it does exist--it was a young police officer and we were vary cooperative! I am worried about a misdemeanor on my record(this is fairly serious) I do not want to hire a lawyer (very expensive) and I make too much for court appointed lawyer. What are my chances at the pre-trial on my own? Any advice? or am I worried for nothing? I was not aware of the law-I do not agree with it--and was in no condition to judge my friends condition! And just because I got a smart ass young cop I have to fork out my hard earned my for a lawyer?

 

[lawrat]

I am a law school graduate. WHat I offer is mere information, not to be construed as forming an attorney client relationship.

You need a lawyer. Ignorance of the law is no excuse but you may be able to get off on the following: because you were intoxicate, you couldn't have formed the specific intent to have him drive drunk.

There are affordable attorneys out there who will be able to get this dismissed ASAP. Especially if the prosecutor has never prosecuted under this law.

Try http://www.attorneypages. Many of them give free consultations.