Legal Question in DUI Law in Wisconsin

Re: Giving info to erase D.U.I.

The following is a direct quote I overheard from an undercover narcotics officer a while back: "If your client is trying to work off a DUI, he might just as well be trying to work off a murder one." In other words, in today's anti-drunk driving political climate, prosecutors are extremely hesitant to "give away" DUI charges in return for law enforcement favors. Four pounds of marijuana is hardly like giving up the French connection so the reward for such information may not be all that great. The other difficult question is whether it is really worth enterring the rough world of being a drug informant just to get rid of a drunken driving charge. A second or third offense can result in six to twelve months in jail, increasing the need for any favorable treatment from authorities for cooperating. A first offense, however, does not even involve jail and may therefore not be worth the risk. Your question is one which could easily be put to your local DA's office. In any event, one should alway proceed with caution and be represented by counsel prior to admitting intimate knowledge of any illegal activity. A lawyer can take precautions to make sure that the person offerring the information does not himself end up on the receiving end of any resulting criminal charges.