THE STANGL LAW BLOG

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.

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 B felonies represent the second most severe punishments given in Wisconsin, with a sentence of up to 60 years in state prison

Maybe you or a loved one has been arrested for OWI in Wisconsin for the first time, and you’re trying to decide between representing yourself, using a public defender, or hiring a private lawyer.

Is getting your own attorney worth the money? The short answer is yes in nearly every situation.

While you don’t need a lawyer for a first offense OWI, there are several reasons why hiring an experienced OWI attorney could help you better understand your situation, get a reduced sentence, or even, in some cases, help save your license.

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 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 D felonies are moderately severe charges, involving penalties such as prison time and heavy fines.

Read More: Wisconsin Felony Classes: A Quick Guide

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 E felonies are moderately severe charges, involving penalties such as prison time and heavy fines.

A charge for battery domestic violence in Wisconsin is done under essentially the same facts as a regular battery domestic violence case but comes along with a greater penalty, due to the domestic abuse enhancer or weapon.

It’s important to recognize that a "weapon" under Wisconsin law, can be just about any object; it’s not restricted to knives and guns. Picture frames, sticks, cost hangers and garbage bags – just about any household object can be classified as a weapon in a battery domestic violence case.

If you lose your cool and throw a potted plant at your spouse, live-in partner or ex, you could be charged with domestic battery violence with the use of a deadly weapon.

If you've been arrested for driving under the influence in Wisconsin, you might be charged with additional criminal offenses you hadn't expected.

Wisconsin OWI law does not generalize all drunk driving cases into one standard set of penalties. Although you might first associate repeated drunk driving offenses with additional or more severe punishments, there are in fact a wide range of circumstances that could place someone charged with OWI in more trouble.

There are a number of situations and factors which could result in you facing additional charges during an OWI stop in Wisconsin. Keep reading to learn more about these situations and their associated penalties.

As more and more states legalize marijuana, it's not unusual for people to wonder, "Is marijuana legal in Wisconsin?"

Despite being legalized in a number of states across the country, marijuana use still remains illegal under Wisconsin law. In fact, Wisconsin drug laws strictly prohibit the use of marijuana, and possession of marijuana and/or drug paraphernalia, in addition to other drug-related offenses. 

Just like any other controlled substance, it is also illegal to drive under the influence of marijuana in Wisconsin. If police suspect you of doing so, you can expect to be charged with operating a motor vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant, or OWI.

Keep reading to learn more about what police look for in determining drugged driving charges, as well as potential penalties for driving under the influence of marijuana or another drug in Madison or elsewhere across the state.

In Wisconsin and almost every other state, an Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) conviction likely means a higher insurance rate.

Just how much will your premium will go up? That depends on several factors. But no matter what sort of auto insurance you have, it’s very important to learn as much as you can about the SR22––something that you will almost certainly need to handle if you are convicted.

If you've been arrested for OWI, DUI, DWI, BAC, PAC or other criminal charges in Wisconsin, Stangl Law can help. Get a free consultation now.