One of the big impacts an OWI conviction can have on a person in Wisconsin is that it can subject them to a fine. Depending on the circumstances, this fine could end up being quite large indeed.
Now, not all drunk driving convictions have the same fine range connected to them. For one, the typical fine range varies based on how many past OWI convictions a person has.
Another thing that can impact how big of a fine a person accused of drunk driving could face if convicted is how high of a BAC they have been accused of having had. This is because, under Wisconsin law, when a person commits OWI with a BAC at or exceeding 0.17, they could be subject to a multiplier when it comes to fine range. Specifically, the minimum and maximum fines for a OWI offense a driver was convicted of could be:
- Doubled if the driver’s BAC was between 0.17 and 0.199.
- Tripled if the driver’s BAC was between 0.20 and 0.249.
- Quadrupled if the driver’s BAC was 0.25 or higher.
These multipliers are among the reasons why BAC-related evidence can be so impactful in Wisconsin OWI cases.
Complicated issues can come up in connection to BAC-related evidence in OWI cases. What happens regarding such issues can have major implications for an OWI defendant. So, the guidance of a defense attorney knowledgeable in matters regarding BAC evidence and other key evidentiary issues that can come up in OWI cases can be a critical thing for a person to have when they are facing OWI charges in the state.
