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The Original Michigan Lavender Festival runs June 5-7, 2026 in Imlay City, drawing thousands of visitors from across Southeast Michigan to a weekend of farms, artisan vendors, food trucks, and lavender-infused cocktails. Plymouth, Canton, and Livonia residents make the hour-plus drive in growing numbers each year. With that drive comes a real risk: any incident in Lapeer County means an Out-of-County criminal case for Western Wayne County residents.

Here is what to know about the legal landscape if a weekend day trip turns into something more.

Why Lapeer County Charges Are Different for Plymouth Residents

The state law is the same statewide, but several practical things change when a case is in Lapeer County:

  • You must travel back to Lapeer County for every court appearance.
  • The Lapeer County Prosecuting Attorney's Office handles felonies, with its own policies on plea deals and diversion.
  • The 71A District Court in Lapeer handles misdemeanor cases.
  • Felonies are bound over to Lapeer County Circuit Court.
  • Different judges, different prosecutors, and different local norms apply.

That last point matters more than people realize. A first-offense OWI in Lapeer County is handled differently than the same charge in Wayne County. An attorney familiar with the rural-county dynamic is a significant advantage.

OWI on the Drive Home

The drive home from Imlay City to Plymouth follows M-53 to I-69 west to I-75 south to I-696 to M-5 to I-275 — or some variation that involves multiple county lines. Michigan State Police patrol heavily on holiday weekends and event weekends.

Under MCL 257.625, an OWI conviction carries:

  • Up to 93 days in jail (180 days for High BAC of .17 or above),
  • Fines of $100–$500 ($200–$700 for High BAC),
  • 30-day hard license suspension and 150 days of restricted driving,
  • Six points,
  • Substance abuse assessment,
  • Possible vehicle immobilization,
  • Ignition interlock on any restricted license if convicted of High BAC.

You can be charged with OWI in whichever county you were stopped in — not where you started or where you live.

OWI Causing Injury or Death

Long drives home at sundown produce a disproportionate number of serious accidents. OWI causing serious impairment of a body function (MCL 257.625(5)) is a five-year felony with a $1,000–$5,000 fine. OWI causing death (MCL 257.625(4)) is a 15-year felony with $2,500–$10,000 in fines. These cases are bound over to circuit court and involve aggressive investigation including accident reconstruction.

Drug Possession at the Festival

Lavender Festival is a family-friendly event, but vendors and crowds attract the same possession charges as any large gathering. Possession of marijuana over the personal-use limit, cocaine, MDMA, psilocybin, or prescription medications not prescribed to you are felonies under MCL 333.7403. Marijuana possession in public is a civil infraction under MCL 333.27954 — but a roadside stop where marijuana is in the car can quickly become a search for more.

Retail Fraud and Larceny

The volume of cash transactions and vendor booths at large festivals creates conditions for misunderstandings. Walking away with merchandise you forgot to pay for, taking a sample without realizing it was a paid product, or being mistaken for someone else can lead to retail fraud (MCL 750.356c-d) or larceny (MCL 750.356) charges — tiered by value, with felony thresholds at $1,000.

Open Container in Vehicle

If you carry a partially full bottle of lavender liqueur, mead, or wine from the festival home in the passenger compartment, you can be cited under MCL 257.624a for open intoxicants in a motor vehicle. The bottle should be sealed, ideally in the trunk. Even unopened bottles within reach of the driver have been used as evidence of intent in marginal cases.

What to Do After a Lapeer County Arrest

  • Take notes on the stop or contact while details are fresh.
  • Save your festival wristband, vendor receipts, and any photos.
  • Do not post about the situation online.
  • If you refused the chemical breath or blood test, calendar the 14-day Implied Consent deadline.
  • Hire counsel before your arraignment date.

Defending an Out-of-County Case

Defenses often turn on the same issues regardless of county: the basis for the stop, field sobriety performance and conditions, chemical test reliability, and proper evidence handling. An attorney who appears in multiple counties and knows how to negotiate with prosecutors outside Wayne County can move your case forward strategically.

Coming Home With More Than Lavender

If your day trip to Imlay City ended with charges instead of bouquets, you have options — but they get smaller the longer you wait. Aaron J. Boria handles Out-of-County cases for Plymouth-area clients regularly. Reach Boria Law at (734) 453-7806 to discuss your defense strategy.

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