Legal Question in DUI Law in Wisconsin

OWI, Drunk Driving, DUI Penalties

The penalties for impaired driving range, for the first offense, from six to nine months loss of license (plus hefty fines and a mandatory drug& alcohol assessment); up to five years of prison for a fifth offense, depending upon the individual facts of each case. Penalties always increase depending upon how high the blood alcohol content is, with more lenient treatment for very low readings (below .08 %), but far harsher treatment for higher readings or for refusals to submit to the tests. Of course, the penalties also increase if anyone was injured as a result of the driving, or, even if no one was injured, by how dangerous the driving was. In my locality (Racine, WI), a second offender typically gets between 30 and 90 days in jail, while a third offender often falls within a range of eight to twelve months in jail (along with the court ordered fines and addiction recovery treatment). Offenders sometimes also get a reduction of jail for time spent in an inpatient detoxification facility. Convicted drivers face increased insurance expenses over their lifetimes of up to $10,000.00 or more, and are required to purchase special �SR-22� (Safety Responsibility) insurance for many years after a conviction in order to reinstate and keep their driver�s license. Having an OWI on one�s record can also affect one�s credit rating, one�s employability, and whether or not one is fit to remain custodian of one�s own children. Anyone charged with such an offense should therefore promptly consult with an attorney, since it will often be the most significant legal entanglement of their entire lives. Many rights to contest such charges (or even the right to retain a driver�s license while the charges are pending) expire only ten days after the arrest, so time is nearly always critical. Good luck!