Madison, Wisconsin OWI Lawyer

Being arrested for OWI in Madison, Wisconsin can have major consequences, including loss of driving privileges, jail time, and monetary fines. It is important that anyone facing a Wisconsin OWI charge understand what challenges they will encounter. It is crucial you seek the legal advice of a competent and knowledgeable OWI attorney immediately. Call today for a free consultation.

Wisconsin OWI (Operating While Intoxicated) Administrative Hearing

Pursuant to Wisconsin law, an individual has 10 (ten) days to request an Administrative Hearing from the Wisconsin Motor Vehicle Department. If you fail to request a hearing within 10 (ten) days, your right to the hearing is lost, and your Wisconsin driver's license is automatically suspended for the applicable statutory time frame. In order to preserve your right to an administrative hearing, it is crucial that you submit your request to the Motor Vehicle Department in Wisconsin within 10 (ten) days. Contact an aggressive and skilled OWI defense lawyer in Madison, Wisconsin to help, but do not delay.

What happens if I was arrested for OWI in Madison?

Under Wisconsin law, once you have been cited for violating the OWI statute, the state initiates two simultaneous, yet separate legal actions against you. The criminal action is in response to the ticket that was issued to you, while the administrative action is brought against your driver's license by the Wisconsin Motor Vehicle Department. While both actions can result in the suspension of your driving privileges in Wisconsin, it is important to remember that there may be more penalties to consider and each action must be handled on their own.

OWI Penalties for First Time Offenders

• Wisconsin Driving Privileges and OWI - An OWI conviction results in the revocation of the offender's Wisconsin driver's license for a minimum of 6 months, up to a maximum of 9 months.
• Commercial Drivers - Commercial drivers are in violation of the OWI statute with a BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) level of 0.04. A first time DWI - OWI conviction will result in the loss of the commercial driver's license for 1 year, while any subsequent OWI offenses will result in a lifetime loss of the commercial license.
• Time in Jail - In Madison, Wisconsin, a first time OWI offender is not subject to any jail time.
• Monetary Fines - The minimum fine for a first time OWI conviction is $150.00, up to a maximum of $300.00.
• Chemical Test Refusal - Refusing to submit to a test when requested by law enforcement in Wisconsin will result in the revocation of driver's license for 1 year.
• Alcohol Evaluation - Successful completion of a drug and alcohol screening and assessment program is required by the court for reinstatement of driving privileges.

OWI Subsequent Offenses

Penalties are increasingly more severe for any additional OWI violations. Due to the complexity of OWI laws in Wisconsin, you may not be aware of rights and options, including any defenses you might use. This is why an aggressive and professional defense attorney can guide you through this emotionally challenging process. Please contact a Wisconsin DWI or OWI attorney for a quick and easy consultation.

Additional Wisconsin OWI Costs

In addition to any fines and court costs you will have to pay, there are other charges that can really add up and cost you a lot of money. Some of the other costs may include:

• Loss of Wages - When you begin to add in the money lost by missing work, the amount really begins to add up quickly.
• Towing - Having your vehicle towed in Madison, Wisconsin can be expensive.
• Vehicle Storage - After your vehicle is towed, it has to be stored somewhere, which is another additional cost.
• Auto Insurance - On top of everything else, once you do get your license back, there is a good chance your monthly premium is going to be higher.

As you can see, there are quite a few "hidden costs" when it comes to getting an OWI in Madison, Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Drunk driving laws

In Wisconsin, it is illegal for a driver over the age of 21 to operate a motor vehicle:

• With a Blood/Breath Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or greater;
• While under the influence of an intoxicant;
• With a detectable amount of a restricted controlled substance in his or her blood; or
• While under the influence of a controlled substance or any other drug.

For drivers with three or more prior Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) convictions, the limit is lower: they cannot operate a motor vehicle if their BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) level is greater than 0.02.

Madison, Wisconsin drivers under 21 years of age are required by law to maintain "absolute sobriety." For anyone under 21, driving with any amount of alcohol in their system is illegal.

Disclaimer: The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. We invite you to contact us and welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please do not send any confidential information to us until such time as an attorney-client relationship has been established.