THE STANGL LAW BLOG

When you're charged with an OWI offense, whether it be a first offense, a subsequent criminal OWI, or any other criminal offense, it's natural to feel anxious, scared, and unsure of what to do.

If you find yourself facing charges involving OWI, it’s important to keep the specific circumstances of your particular situation at the forefront of your mind when preparing to make your case in court.

Your chances of making a successful argument against the prosecution are dramatically increased by hiring a skilled defense attorney with a good deal of experience in OWI, so finding suitable counsel should be your primary concern. Although it’s your lawyer’s job to craft an effective defense, being well versed in common defense strategies yourself can give you an added sense of assuredness in your team’s particular approach when it comes time to be heard in front of a judge.

With OWI prosecution often relying on tangible evidence such as blood alcohol content and other chemical tests given during traffic stops, the method by which officers administer these tests can be subject to scrutiny if officers do not conduct them adequately.

Watch this video to learn more about when and why police can pull you over.

According to Wisconsin law, a felony is a crime whose punishment could potentially result in a jail term of one year or longer. Crimes that fall within this category are assigned sentences within the Wisconsin State Prison System rather than in a county jail.

Within the broad category of felonies, crimes are further divided into a series of nine classes delineated by alphabetical titles, A through I.

Class A felonies represent the most severe punishments given in Wisconsin. Penalties include a lifetime sentence with further stipulations for repeat offenders and those with specific criminal records.

"Relax."

That's probably not the first thought in your head when you're being pulled over for suspicion of drunk driving or driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol in Wisconsin. But that's exactly what you need to do.

The outcome of the traffic stop, your potential legal case and even your freedom all depend on your ability to remain calm, polite, and focused throughout the stop.

Keeping your focus during on OWI investigation also helps you stay mindful of your legal rights so you can avoid making decisions which might further complicate your case.

Watch this video to learn what you should do after you've been pulled over.

When you're faced with criminal charges after an arrest or ongoing investigation, choosing the best Madison criminal defense attorney can be difficult.

Criminal investigations can place an immense amount of stress on those preparing to defend themselves in court. If you find yourself in such a situation, it’s important you seek legal counsel immediately. Although it’s in your best interest to act as quickly as possible, making an informed decision when it comes to selecting an attorney can have a drastic impact on the outcome of your case.

Here are four essential tips for to ensure that you make the right decision when it comes to a Madison criminal defense attorney:

Among the penalties handed down for OWI charges in Wisconsin, Ignition Interlock Devices (IIDs) provide a preventive solution to drivers convicted of an OWI with a particularly high BAC level, or those who’ve been caught driving drunk repeatedly.

As the technology behind the devices becomes both cheaper and more efficient, these devices are increasingly being used as a measure to curb the potentially disastrous effects of OWI before they occur.

Since 2010, Wisconsin, among other states has passed legislation making these devices mandatory for individuals convicted of OWI under certain circumstances.

Whether you’ve been issued this device or not, all drivers should be aware of what these devices do, and under what circumstances you can be forced to install one into your own vehicle.

If you believe you’ve been stopped for OWI, you can expect to be asked a number of questions regarding your current state of sobriety as well as any recent activities prior to using your vehicle.

Keep these three steps in mind during the traffic stop.

Learn about the cost of hiring an OWI defense attorney in this video.