An operating while intoxicated (OWI) charge can upend your life instantly. A conviction threatens your freedom, your finances and your ability to drive.
Knowing the exact penalties helps you understand what is at stake. With this information, you may develop a strong defense against OWI charges to protect your future.
The legal consequences of an OWI conviction
Wisconsin judges determine penalties based on your prior record and the severity of the stop. A conviction triggers a combination of fines, jail time and license loss. The standard penalties include:
- First offense: Drivers face a $150 to $300 fine, and the state revokes their license for six to nine months. A blood-alcohol level of 0.15 or higher requires a one-year ignition interlock device (IID).
- Second offense: If an individual has no prior OWI within 10 years, they face first-offense penalties. Otherwise, an offender could spend five days to six months in jail and pay a $350 to $1,100 fine. The driver will lose their license for 12 to 18 months and must use an IID.
- Third offense: This offense triggers 45 days to one year in jail and a $600 to $2,000 fine. Other penalties include a two- to three-year license loss and a mandatory IID.
- Causing serious injury: If someone gets hurt because of drunk driving, the driver could face 12.5 years in prison, a $25,000 fine, and a two-year license loss.
- Causing fatal accidents: Vehicular homicide may lead to 25 years in prison and a $100,000 fine. A prior OWI increases the maximum prison sentence to 40 years.
These consequences may disrupt your life long after you leave the courtroom.
Developing a strong defense against OWI charges
Law enforcement personnel frequently commit procedural errors during traffic stops, breathalyzer examinations and blood draws. Through a meticulous evaluation of the state’s evidence for these specific mistakes, you may construct a compelling defense to challenge the prosecution’s case.
