what is the difference between DWI and OWI?

[tamiwhitneytami]

For Michigan law if someone gets a first offense OWI opperating while intoxicated how is it that the sheriff can hold them for a long period of time if they cant pay their bail right away they are holding this person for at least 3 weeks can they do this.What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?

 

[tamiwhitneytami]

For Michigan law if someone gets a first offense OWI opperating while intoxicated how is it that the sheriff can hold them for a long period of time if they cant pay their bail right away they are holding this person for at least 3 weeks can they do this.What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?

this is for Michigan

 

[Zigner]

If they can't pay bail, why shouldn't they be held?

And, the law operates based on specific sections of the law. The text applied to those sections of law (ie: Driving While Impaired or Operating While Impaired) doesn't affect the underlying section of code.

 

[justalayman]

many states call driving while intoxicated DWI. Michigan likes to use their own terms so they use OWI (operating while intoxicated), OWVI (operating while visibly impaired), and OWPD (operating with the presence of drugs)

and for holding the person if they cannot pay bail.

well, that's what bail is. It is money you pay to insure you will return to court to face your charges. If you can't pay the bail, you get to sit in jail while waiting for your hearing or trial.

the OWI statute (in part):

(1) A person, whether licensed or not, shall not operate a vehicle upon a highway or other place open to the general public or generally accessible to motor vehicles, including an area designated for the parking of vehicles, within this state if the person is operating while intoxicated. As used in this section, "operating while intoxicated" means any of the following:

(a) The person is under the influence of alcoholic liquor, a controlled substance, or a combination of alcoholic liquor and a controlled substance.

(b) The person has an alcohol content of 0.08 grams or more per 100 milliliters of blood, per 210 liters of breath, or per 67 milliliters of urine, or, beginning October 1, 2013, the person has an alcohol content of 0.10 grams or more per 100 milliliters of blood, per 210 liters of breath, or per 67 milliliters of urine.

(c) The person has an alcohol content of 0.17 grams or more per 100 milliliters of blood, per 210 liters of breath, or per 67 milliliters of urine.