THE STANGL LAW BLOG

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.

"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.

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.

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.

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.