New Michigan Bills Could Negate A First-Time OWI

MICHIGAN—Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed two bills on Tuesday that could erase a first-time drunk driving violation, according to a news release from her office.

The news release said only people convicted once of driving under the influence of alcohol or other substances are eligible and can only apply five years after their probation ends. Applicants must submit a petition to a court, where a judge will review it and issue a determination. Incidents that caused death or serious injury to a victim are not eligible.

These bills can provide a pathway for more than 200,000 Michiganders to start over and increase their ability to find work, get a driver's license and secure a home, the news release said.

"No one should be defined by a mistake they have made in the past," Gov. Whitmer said in the news release.

"These bills allow Michiganders to move on from a past mistake in order to have a clean slate," she added. "We must clear a path for first-time offenders so that all residents are able to compete for jobs with a clean record and contribute to their communities in a positive way."

The news release also said Gov. Whitmer signed two other bills ensuring Michigan's legal blood alcohol content remains at 0.08. Without Gov. Whitmer's signature, the level would have risen to 0.1 by year's end.