A celebration or a night out on the town can quickly turn into a legal nightmare if you’re pulled over for driving under the influence. Facing charges of driving under the influence (DUI) or operating while intoxicated (OWI) charges in Wisconsin is a serious matter, and a conviction can have long-lasting effects on your life. The penalties can include fines, license suspension, and jail time, as well as potential repercussions that impact your career and personal reputation. Wisconsin’s strict drunk driving laws mean that even first-time offenders could face severe consequences.
If you’ve been charged with DUI or OWI, hiring an experienced attorney will protect your rights and help you secure a strong defense. J. Kippa Law serves clients in the Green Bay and greater Brown County areas during what’s likely to be one of the lowest points in their lives. Our criminal defense team is here to guide you through the legal process and support you during this trying time.
Have you been arrested and charged with a drunk driving offense? It’s time to get a lawyer involved. Let the Wisconsin defense team at J. Kippa Law review your situation and do everything possible to protect your legal rights. Contact our office today and set up a confidential legal consultation to discuss your case.
Wisconsin law prohibits driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol. Driving under the influence is also referred to as operating while intoxicated, or OWI in Wisconsin. Drivers can be charged with an OWI offense when they meet one or more of the following criteria:
A blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent or higher
Operating a vehicle while under the influence of an intoxicant
Operating a vehicle with a detectable amount of a controlled substance in their blood
Operating a vehicle while under the influence of a controlled substance or other drug
Many people are mistakenly under the impression that if they are below the legal BAC limit, they are safe to drive. However, a driver can be considered under the influence any time their use of a drug or alcohol impairs their ability to operate their vehicle. If law enforcement pulls a driver over and determines they are impaired, they can be arrested and prosecuted, whether or not their BAC exceeded the legal limit.
Not only can a person find themselves in legal hot water even if their BAC is under the legal limit, but they can also find themselves in trouble for not submitting to a breath test in the first place. Wisconsin has an implied consent law stating that anyone driving on Wisconsin roads has implicitly consented to having their blood, breath, or urine tested to determine their level of intoxication at the request of law enforcement. Refusing a lawfully requested test can lead to other legal ramifications, such as the court revoking the individual’s driver’s license for anywhere from one to three years.
A DUI/OWI conviction can significantly impact your life. For starters, you can face steep legal and financial penalties in the form of jail time and fines. Wisconsin OWI penalties vary depending on whether it’s your first offense:
A basic OWI conviction without any aggravating circumstances will also result in the loss of your driver’s license for anywhere from six months to three years, depending on the number of previous offenses on your record. In some instances, you may be able to apply for a hardship license, which would allow you to drive but only to locations like work, school, or alcohol/drug treatment. The state may require the installation of an ignition interlock device in your vehicle for at least one year once you obtain a hardship license or when your driver’s license is reinstated following a conviction.
Additionally, all OWI convictions require the person to submit to a drug and alcohol assessment. The assessment results are used to draft a driver safety plan, including educational programs, rehabilitation, or sobriety testing requirements.
The fines and jail sentences associated with a conviction can be more severe in certain situations. For example, if you commit OWI while transporting a minor under 16, you can face increased fines and jail time. If you have an “excessive” BAC, meaning a BAC of 0.17 to 0.199 percent, you face double fines. A BAC of 0.2 to 0.249 percent will see your fines triple, and they’ll quadruple if your BAC is 0.25 percent or higher.
You should also be aware that if you cause a significant accident and injure or kill someone else while driving under the influence, you may face other legal consequences. These include charges of OWI homicide, which is a felony offense that can net you 25 to 40 years in prison. In addition to criminal repercussions, you may face civil penalties if a victim’s survivors take action against you.
While these criminal and civil penalties are the primary focus of any OWI situation, there are other potential consequences that you may contend with following a conviction. An OWI conviction can stall your career, impact your employment and educational opportunities, and lead to increased insurance costs. You may also face reputational damage within your family and community, which may take considerable time and effort to repair.
OWI is a serious charge. A conviction can utterly upend your life and cause potentially irreparable damage to your reputation. Having an aggressive criminal defense lawyer in your corner can make a critical difference in the resolution of your case and the severity of the consequences you face. When you contact J. Kippa Law, we will:
If you face DUI/OWI charges in Wisconsin, you need strong legal support from an experienced drunk driving attorney. The team at J. Kippa Law brings decades of experience to the defense of Wisconsin drivers pulled over for driving under the influence, and we’re here to be your guide as your case proceeds through the justice system. We understand how much you have at stake – contact us today for a consultation with a DUI/OWI attorney serving Green Bay and Brown County, and get the legal advocacy you need and deserve.
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