Driving a car intoxicated in Wisconsin – the OWI law
Wisconsin law utilizes the term OWI – operating while intoxicated, whilst many US states use DWI – driving while intoxicated or in some cases DUI – driving under the influence. In general, the laws in all US states are the same, it is some states prefer different terminology, like Wisconsin.
Depending on the man beign accused, the law in Wisconsin splits the OWI penalties into three categories. Underage drivers and commercial drivers (truck drivers, deliveries, etc) face harder penalties than the typical adult driving under the influence. SR22 insurance is required after first time OWI offense.
Let’s look at those penalties in more fine detail.
OWI – General Penalties
You can get a fine around $150 and $300 and driving license suspension for up to nine months, if you are caught driving with blood alco-hol content above .08. But that doesn’t mean you can not drive your car. You are immediately eligible for an occupational license, which mean that you can drive only to purely important locations, such as school or work.
The penalties become harder with each following OWI conviction. After a person’s 2nd OWI conviction, their vehicle may be immobilized or equipped with an Ignition Interlock Device that will not enable the person to drive without passing a breath analyzer test. By the time a person reaches his or her fifth OWI offense, the penalties can be pretty severe: a $10,000 fine, up to a year in prison, revocation of their license for up three years, seizure of their vehicle, and a wait period of up to a year before they can ask for an occupational license.
The fees and penalties for driving drunk whilst causing an injury vary on severity. A person might be charged of causing injury whilst OWI, creating great physical damage by OWI, or homicide by OWI. The penalties for causing injury can contain up to a year inside prison, suspension of driver’s license for up to 2 years, a $25,000 fine and more. Naturally, the penalties turn into harsher as the injuries become more serious. If you have killed other person whilst driving drunk you can face up to 25 years in jale or 40 years, if you have had a previous OWI conviction.
Underage OWI Penalties
Wisconsin observes a “not a drop” law, making it unlawful for a person under 21 to drive with after consuming any amount of hard drinks at all. If you are under 21 and this is your first OWI sentence you can face driving license suspencion for up to three months and $200 fine, but you can request for your occupational license immediately.
Commercial Driver OWI Penalties
Commercial drivers are held to strict requirements when operating security is concerned. They are in violation of state law if they drive with any concentration of alco-hol (0.0 to 0.4%), possession of alco-hol while driving, or driving within four hours of consuming hard drinks. That means suspencion of driver’s license for twenty-four hours and $10 fine, which makes the penalties reasonably minor. Again, penalties become much harsher depending on the BAC or severity of injuries caused.
Undoubtedly Wisconsin takes driving under the influence of hard drinks very seriously.
In order to find the best possible policy for you compare insurance quotes
Processing your request, Please wait....
