THE STANGL LAW BLOG

The penalties for second offense OWI can be significantly more severe than a first offense OWI. Unlike a first offense OWI in Wisconsin, which is classified as a civil offense, a second offense OWI is a criminal offense without exception.

These include, but are not limited to possible jail time (up to 6 months), significant monetary fines of $350 to $1,100 plus surcharges, and mandatory driver’s license revocation for at least 12 months. Many factors can affect sentencing based on the circumstances of your situation.

Posting bail after a drunk driving arrest can feel like a huge relief, but understand it's only the beginning in your battle against operating under the influence of an intoxicant or OWI charges in Madison or elsewhere across Wisconsin.

Since our state adopted stricter laws against some OWI offenses in 2016, it's more important than ever to consult a skilled Wisconsin drunk driving defense attorney if you've been charged with OWI, DUI, DWI, BAC, PAC or any other drug- or alcohol-related offense or offenses.

If you're like many people who get pulled over for drunk driving in Wisconsin, it's likely you've never had to hire a criminal defense attorney before, and may not know where to start. This article presents a list of nine important questions to ask to help ensure you find the right attorney for your needs.

Summer has arrived here in Wisconsin, and with it, the freedom to get out and enjoy our natural areas. For those who soak in the summer months on our many lakes and rivers, boating can be a great way to escape the heat and have a great time with friends and family.

But for those who want to relax on the water with a drink in hand, it’s important to realize that just like any other motor vehicle, there are serious consequences for those who go overboard with their alcohol consumption while operating a boat on our waterways.

Especially for those newer to boating, it may seem like the water is simply out of reach for law enforcement. In reality, this couldn’t be further from the truth.

The state is very aware of the dangers intoxicated boaters pose and regularly deploy conservation wardens and boat patrols to look for drunk boaters throughout the season.

Unlike other kinds of crimes, sexual assault, rape, and other sex offenses in Wisconsin often require individuals to register with a public catalog of current sex offenders. This is called the Wisconsin Sex Offender Registry.

The information in the registry is made available to law enforcement agencies, victims, neighborhood watch groups and the general public via the official State of Wisconsin Offender Web Site. 

The requirements of registering can be complicated and depend on several factors, as some convictions carry mandatory registration requirements while others may not.

Even those not convicted of crimes categorized specifically as “sex crimes” can be required by a court to register if the nature of their crimes are found to be sexually motivated in one way or another.

Although criminal offenses are ultimately broken down into a number of separate categories based on the nature of the crime itself, the initial classification of a crime falls between one of two categories: felonies and misdemeanors.

Although the standards of classification are similar from state-to-state, the key-differentiating factor for Wisconsin crimes is the potential length of incarceration that would result from a conviction as well as the type of facility they would be housed in.

Let’s take a deeper look into the differences between the two kinds of crimes and what kind of consequences can result from conviction.

In today’s culture, being accused of a sexual offense usually comes with a “guilty until proven innocent” response from the public. Convictions often carry heavy penalties and consequences that affect your everyday life, even long after any formal punishments come to an end.

Mandatory registration as a sex offender, comparatively large fines, and mandatory minimum jail sentences are commonly associated with sex offenses in Wisconsin, as well as the rest of the country.

If you’ve been accused of a sex offense in Madison, Wisconsin, it’s crucial you have a full understanding of both the charges being levied against you, and what you need to do next to protect yourself.

If you're facing battery charges in Wisconsin, you may need answers to important questions:

"Will I have to go to jail for battery?"

"How can I defend against battery charges?"

"Is battery a felony in Wisconsin?

"What is substantial battery vs. aggravated battery?"

With over 20 years of criminal defense experience, Stangl Law knows it's best to have your questions answered by an attorney to explore the specific details of your case to identify an effective defense strategy.

Stangl Law provides a FREE, no-obligation, 15-minute consultation to get you pointed in the right direction as you begin your fight to defend against battery, substantial battery or aggravated battery charges in Wisconsin. 

Let's explore how battery is defined in Wisconsin and discuss the potential penalties of battery, substantial battery and aggravated battery.

The question seems simple: "What is domestic abuse?"

The answer, however, varies from state to state. 

It's generally understood that acts of battery or assault committed against another member of your family or household are considered domestic abuse.

This article will focus on answering the following questions relating to domestic battery or abuse charges in the state of Wisconsin:

• What is domestic abuse?
• Will I be arrested if someone claims I committed domestic abuse?
• If I was not immediately arrested for domestic abuse am I safe from arrest?
• What are the penalties for domestic abuse?
• How can I defend against charges of domestic abuse?
  

Short answer: Yes. Just like drunk driving, operating a motorized boat is illegal if your blood alcohol concentration is above the legal limit. In Wisconsin, if your BAC is .08 percent or higher, you can be charged with intoxicated boating.

Whether you’re a state resident or a visitor, mixing any kind of motor vehicle activity with our state’s strong drinking culture can turn a fun afternoon out on the water into a dangerous situation both legally and otherwise. 

Wisconsin's waterways are not outside of the law. A relaxed attitude around drinking and boating is exactly what makes intoxicated boaters prime targets for conservation wardens and police patrols who regularly scan the waters for signs of suspicious drivers.

In 2019, 132 boaters were cited for boating under the influence of alcohol in Wisconsin. Law enforcement devoted more hours to boating activities than ATVs and snowmobiles combined.

Below, we've answered the common questions about BUIs in Wisconsin and what to do if you or someone you know is facing charges.

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.