Eau Claire, Wisconsin OWI / DUI / DWI Defense Lawyer
Driving While Intoxicated by Alcohol or other substance
A driving while intoxicated or driving under the influence charge under Wisconsin laws is called an OWI, or "operating while under the influence". It is fundamentally the same as what other states refer to as DUI (driving under the influence) or DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) - it alleges that the driver of the vehicle was under the influence or intoxicated while operating the vehicle. The "intoxication" or "influence" does NOT need to be caused by alcohol, you can also be charged for driving under the influence or an illegal drug like marijuana or cocaine, or a legal pharmaceutical drug that impairs your abilities.
Some of the possible penalties you face if convicted of OWI in Wisconsin include:
- Revocation or suspension of license
- Monetary fines
- State mandated substance / alcohol abuse treatment programs
- Probation, Jail or prison time
- Community service
- Restitution paid for damages caused
- Criminal record
- Restrictive probationary license programs (work permits, farm permits, etc)
- Of course, the stigma and effect on your career may have additional consequences.
Breathalyzer evidence in a Drunk-Driving Case
In Wisconsin, a driver with a blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher is presumed to be legally intoxicated for drunk-driving purposes. Wisconsin also has an implied-consent law, which provide law enforcement (police & highway patrol) the right to administer chemical testing on any driver. "Implied consent" basically means that it is implied that when you operate a motorized vehicle that you have given your consent to chemical testing at any point that law enforcement deems it necessary. Because of this implied consent law, the refusal to take a breathalyzer test is a crime, carrying mandatory and often more severe penalties than the actual OWI charge.
Covering all of Western Wisconsin in OWI and Drunk Driving Charges
If you have been arrested for OWI / PAC in Wisconsin, hiring an effective and experienced attorney greatly increases your chances of the case ending in the best possible outcome. This Eau Claire Criminal Defense Lawyer website targets OWI charges in Chippewa County, Eau Claire County, Barron County, Dunn County, Saint Croix County, Barron County and throughout Western Wisconsin.
This is a sample site aimed at Eau Claire Criminal Defense related searches. If you are in need of an Eau Claire criminal defense or OWI lawyer, feel free to peruse the ads at the top of the page. If you are an attorney in Eau Claire looking for a new website, feel free to contact me.
