In Wisconsin, there is a legal presumption that a driver is intoxicated if they have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) above .08 percent. If pulled over under the suspicion of Wisconsin OWI, an officer will often subject a driver to a breathalyzer test to get an estimate of the drivers BAC. Breathalyzers require the driver… Read More »
Crack Down on Impaired Driving Leading Up to Labor Day Weekend
Wisconsin law enforcement has announced plans to crack down on impaired driving leading up to the Labor Day Weekend through September 19. Five agencies are teaming up to round up drivers who are intoxicated, as well as those who have open containers, are not wearing seat belts, or neglect to restrain children properly. Officials hope… Read More »
Ignition Interlock Devices OWI First Offense
According to MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving), a person drives drunk an average of 80 times before their first drunk driving arrest. Many drivers convicted of DUI or OWI continue to drive drunk despite a conviction resulting in license revocation. Because taking away someone’s license alone may not be enough to prevent them from… Read More »
Wisconsin Traffic Violation Point System
Typically when a Wisconsin driver receives a traffic ticket, they do not challenge the ticket, but instead pay the fine to avoid increased fines, a suspended license, or even arrest and jail time. Most drivers do not consider that by paying a traffic ticket, they are pleading guilty to the charges assigned in the traffic… Read More »
Refusal to Take BAC Field Sobriety Test
Under Wisconsin’s Implied Consent Law, operating a motor vehicle in the state of Wisconsin means that you have consented to chemical tests of blood, breath, or urine as part of an OWI stop. Refusing to submit to blood alcohol OWI field testing will result in an automatic license suspension or revocation anywhere from 1 to… Read More »
Fighting Charges of Wisconsin OWI
A recent New York Times investigation has confirmed what many criminal defense attorneys already know: breathalyzers often generate skewed results that land people in jail. Anyone pulled over under suspicion of drunk driving will likely be subject to a roadside sobriety check that may start with walking in a straight line but often ends with… Read More »
Possession of Firearm While Intoxicated in Wisconsin
In Wisconsin both open and concealed carry of weapons are legal. Concealed carry requires a permit where open carry does not. There are certain privileges and limitations involved in carrying a weapon whether concealed or open - it is important to understand gun laws in Wisconsin to avoid weapons charges. Wisconsin’s open carry means that… Read More »
Wisconsin Drugged Driving Charge: Operating Under the Influence of Intoxicant
Like drunk driving, drug impaired driving is a dangerous public health and safety issue with millions of drivers stopped every year under the influence of illicit drugs. Suspected drunk drivers often undergo field sobriety tests which may include a breathalyzer to determine if they are driving over the legal limit. If a driver has a … Read More »
Should You Hire a Lawyer for a Traffic Violation?
When trying to decide whether to hire an attorney for a traffic violation, such as a speeding ticket, you should ask yourself the following questions: Can I handle getting additional points on my license without facing a suspension? How much will my insurance rate increase? Although you may still be on the hook for fines… Read More »
City Ponders Place of Last Drink Program to Reduce OWI
Years ago, Waukesha enacted the Sober Server Ordinance requiring bar employees to stay under the same intoxication threshold as drivers - a 0.08 limit. The new policy was a result of a ‘place of last drink’ study, requiring OWI offenders to report where they last consumed alcohol enabling law enforcement to identify bars with a… Read More »