What is a DUI Oscoda County 81st District Court - Arrested for Drunk Driving Michigan

​Navigating DUI Cases at the 81st District Court, Oscoda County

The 81st District Court in Oscoda County, Michigan, overseen by the Honorable Casandra L. Morse-Bills, District Judge, and the Honorable Richard E. Vollbach, Jr., Chief Judge, plays a vital role in managing DUI cases. Each case follows a systematic procedure as determined by Michigan law.

When dealing with DUI clients in Oscoda County, they generally fall into one of two categories: pre-arraignment or post-arraignment. This distinction is significant, as it directly impacts our strategies moving forward.

For pre-arraignment clients, who have been arrested but not yet formally charged due to a delay in receiving the chemical test results, our primary goal is to initiate our bond conditions. This proactive approach to following anticipated court-ordered conditions helps create a positive impression when we appear before Judges Morse-Bills or Vollbach.

For clients already arraigned, our approach involves adhering to the bond conditions imposed by the court, supplemented with extra proactive measures. This additional effort demonstrates a commitment to addressing the issue and helps the client maintain a positive standing in the eyes of the court.

In Oscoda County, when setting bond in a DUI case, the arraigning magistrate or judge is required by law to consider the risk of flight and potential harm to the public. While most DUI clients pose minimal flight risk, the risk of substance use while on bond and re-offending is a significant concern for the court.

Standard bond conditions often involve abstaining from drugs or alcohol and undergoing regular monitoring to ensure compliance. This monitoring, coupled with a low flight risk, often allows for a personal or nominal bond. The judges in Oscoda County evaluate bond based on numerous factors, including:

- Defendant's previous criminal record, including juvenile offenses
- Defendant's record of attendance or absence at court proceedings or flight to avoid prosecution
- Defendant's history of substance abuse or addiction
- Defendant's mental condition, character, and reputation for dangerousness
- The seriousness of the offense, the presence or absence of threats, the likelihood of conviction, and the potential sentence
- Defendant's employment status and history, financial situation, and their ability to post money bail
- The availability of responsible community members who could vouch for or monitor the defendant
- Defendant’s ties to the community, including family relationships, length of residence
- Any other factors relevant to the risk of nonappearance or danger to the public

One of the most common bond conditions in the 81st District Court for DUI cases is alcohol testing. When alcohol testing has not been ordered, my clients typically undergo proactive testing to demonstrate sobriety and create a favorable impression before the court. I help clients select the best testing method that accommodates their lifestyle while fulfilling the court's requirements.

Many clients prefer to avoid the inconvenience of standard court-ordered testing. We can set up alternative testing that better suits their schedules while still achieving the court's objectives. Options include preliminary breath tests (PBTs), transdermal alcohol tethers, in-home breathalyzers, ignition interlock devices, and EtG or EtS alcohol testing.

Each testing method comes with its advantages. PBTs are the most common and affordable but may be inconvenient due to their required frequency. Transdermal alcohol tethers offer continuous monitoring, in-home breathalyzers provide flexibility with work and family scheduling, ignition interlock devices ensure sobriety before driving, and EtG or EtS tests can detect consumption up to 72 hours prior, beneficial for clients with unusual schedules.

In conclusion, handling DUI cases at the 81st District Court of Oscoda County involves understanding the judges' expectations, Michigan law, and applying effective strategies to demonstrate the client's commitment to sobriety and compliance with court orders.