Common Labor Day Weekend Arrests in Michigan

Law enforcement steps up patrols and sobriety checkpoints during holiday weekends, and Labor Day is no exception. The goal is to reduce traffic fatalities and prevent dangerous incidents, which unfortunately results in a spike of arrests across the state during this time. Some of the most common arrests include:

• Operating While Intoxicated (OWI/DUI): Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is aggressively enforced during holiday weekends.
• Open Intoxicants in a Vehicle: Even having open alcohol containers in your car can result in misdemeanor charges.
• Minor in Possession (MIP): College students and young adults under 21 commonly face MIP charges after weekend parties.
• Disorderly Conduct: Public disturbance, being drunk in public, or fighting can lead to disorderly conduct charges.
• Resisting or Obstructing a Police Officer: An argument or struggle during an arrest can turn a bad night into a serious felony.
• Drug Possession: Marijuana is legal for adults in Michigan, but possession of other controlled substances isn’t.

If you’ve been charged with any of the above offenses over Labor Day weekend, it’s important to understand the legal process and your options. Even seemingly minor charges can snowball into major consequences if they aren't handled properly.

What Happens Immediately After an Arrest in Michigan?

Whether you were arrested during a traffic stop or at a party, the immediate aftermath follows a pretty standard sequence in Michigan:

1. Booking and Holding

You’ll be taken to jail for fingerprinting, a mugshot, and processing. For minor offenses, you may be released on bond later that day or the next morning. In more serious cases, you’ll remain in custody until arraignment.

2. Arraignment

An arraignment is your first court hearing, where charges are formally read, and bond is set. If you were arrested over the Labor Day weekend, your arraignment may have been delayed due to the court holiday. You have the right to an attorney at your arraignment, and in many cases, your criminal defense lawyer can waive your appearance and handle the hearing to your benefit.

3. Bond Conditions

After arrest, the judge will typically impose bond conditions. These might include:

• No alcohol or drugs (with mandatory testing)
• Curfew or GPS tether
• No contact orders
• Turn in firearms and weapons

Violating any bond conditions could land you back in jail—or worse, make your legal situation much harder.

How to Build a Strong Defense

Every criminal charge in Michigan is made up of legal elements that the prosecutor must prove beyond a reasonable doubt. A strong defense starts by poking holes in those elements and exploring every angle of your case. That’s where a skilled Michigan criminal defense attorney steps in.

1. Challenging the Stop or Arrest

Michigan police must have reasonable suspicion to pull you over and probable cause to arrest you. If your rights were violated during an illegal stop, traffic checkpoint, or faulty search, your attorney may file a motion to suppress that could get evidence—and even the whole case—thrown out.

2. Breath Test or Blood Results

Refusing a breath test after arrest leads to an implied consent violation—a separate issue from the DUI or OWI charge itself. But even if you did submit, BAC results can be questioned. Was the test equipment calibrated? Was the officer certified? Were proper procedures followed? We’ve had clients win DUI cases after exposing flawed chemical testing.

3. Witness Statements or Police Reports

If your charge stemmed from a bar fight, domestic issue, or accusation that turned out to be exaggerated, a thorough investigation may uncover key facts. Conflicting police reports? Witnesses with biased accounts? We’ve even found video footage that led to total dismissals.

4. Diversion Programs or Plea Negotiation

If the evidence against you is strong, all hope is not lost. Michigan courts, including those in Wayne, Oakland, Washtenaw, and Macomb counties, often offer first-time offender diversion programs, sobriety court, and other alternatives that can keep your record clean and keep you out of jail.

Specific Charges and What to Know

OWI / DUI

First offense OWI in Michigan can result in up to 93 days in jail, over $1,000 in fines and costs, license sanctions, points on your driving record, and mandatory alcohol education. High BAC cases or second offenses drastically increase penalties, so early legal intervention is critical.

Disorderly Conduct

This may seem like a small charge, but it still carries the potential for jail, fines, and a criminal record that shows up on background checks. In many cases, we’ve helped clients resolve disorderly conduct charges with no conviction through local prosecutor agreements or dismissals.

Drug Possession

Possession of cocaine, ecstasy, prescription pills, or heroin is a felony in Michigan. Depending on the weight, prior record, and the county, you could face prison. However, sobriety courts and 7411 status (a program for first-time offenders) may be options that can protect your future.

Long-Term Consequences of a Conviction

Even a misdemeanor record can affect you for life. Whether you’re applying for a job, housing, military, or professional licensing, background checks are unforgiving. Criminal charges can impact:

• Your ability to drive
• Your immigration status if you are not a U.S. citizen
• Your job (especially for nurses, teachers, and government employees)
• Your student loans and school enrollment

A conviction may also permanently ban you from owning firearms or traveling internationally. That’s why the best time to protect your record is right now, before the case progresses.

Getting Legal Help Immediately

Hiring an experienced criminal defense attorney isn’t just a luxury—it can mean the difference between a conviction and a clean record. At Boria Law, we’ve helped hundreds of clients all over Michigan turn their worst day into a second chance. We’ve obtained reduced charges, dismissals, and even not-guilty verdicts for clients arrested over long weekends like Labor Day.

If you or a loved one was arrested over Labor Day weekend, give us a call at (734) 453-7806 for a free consultation. Aaron J. Boria is a top-rated criminal defense attorney who handles OWI, drug charges, assault, and all other criminal offenses across Michigan. Don’t wait—early intervention in your case is key.

Final Thoughts

Labor Day weekend is meant for rest and relaxation, but for many people in Michigan, it ends in flashing lights, handcuffs, and a lot of fear for the future. But remember—being charged does not mean being convicted. The criminal justice system gives you the chance to fight back, and with the right legal help, you can move forward.

It's never too early to get a defense started. Charges can often be reduced or dismissed long before you set foot in trial. But the longer you wait, the fewer options you may have. So if you were arrested over the long weekend and you're wondering what the next step is, the answer is simple: Call us.

Call Aaron J. Boria today at (734) 453-7806 and schedule your free consultation. You’ve got questions, and we’ve got your back.