THE STANGL LAW BLOG

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.

Attorney Patrick J. Stangl of Stangl Law Offices, S.C. recently won four OWI-PAC (drunk driving) cases in three weeks.

This winning streak offers hard, measurable proof that Stangl Law Offices, S.C. can use their considerable experience and skill to help you successfully defend your OWI-PAC (drunk driving) case.

Driving on a suspended driver’s license is illegal in Wisconsin. Depending on the circumstances surrounding your arrest, you could be facing misdemeanor charges or even felony charges, as well as a wide range of penalties.

It's possible you may face civil forfeitures (a loss of property). In other cases, you may be charged with a crime carrying fines and possible prison time.

Included in this article are a number of possible penalties for driving on a suspended license in Wisconsin.

There are many reasons law enforcement may contact an innocent person for questioning in Wisconsin, but one safe bet is that it has to do with a criminal investigation.

If you're approached by police for questioning of any kind, remain calm and polite—
but be on your guard. The police may suspect you've been involved in a crime.

In the process of a criminal investigation where you are the undisclosed subject, the police may attempt to build a rapport with you or attempt to make you feel comfortable enough to let your guard down. They might even give you the impression that they believe you're innocent and just need your help in solving a crime.

Third offense OWI carries significantly more severe penalties than first or second OWI. Unlike a second offense OWI in Wisconsin, there is no rule that your last offense had to occur within ten years. It includes any prior OWI convictions throughout your life.

The penalties of conviction include, but are not limited to, possible felony charges (particularly if a minor under 16 was a passenger at the time for your arrest), license revocation or suspension, a possible fine of up to $4,000, up to two years in jail, and permanent subjection to a PAC (prohibited alcohol concentration) of .02 in any state.

Several factors which may influence the specific penalties you face, including your specific blood alcohol content (BAC) and the presence of a minor passenger, among others.

If you were recently stopped and searched by police in Wisconsin, you're likely wondering, "When are police allowed to search my vehicle?"

To gain a better understanding of this important point, it's helpful to understand the meaning of "probable cause" under Wisconsin law.

Keep reading to learn more about the Wisconsin probable cause definition, examples of probable cause, and what police can do under the protection of probable search in Wisconsin.

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.

In a recent 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court ruled that it is legal to draw blood from an unconscious person suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol without a warrant.

Criminal defense attorney Pat Stangl was interviewed by Channel 27 to explain the ruling and what it means to those arrested for impaired driving.