Is a First-Time OWI Really that Bad?

OWI stands for operating while intoxicated. If a person is arrested and ultimately convicted of an OWI offense in Wisconsin, they could suffer serious consequences which might have long-term impacts on their lives. If a police officer has arrested you on an OWI charge, it is important that you immediately speak with a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney right away. You should also be sure not to answer any questions without insisting that you first have a lawyer present with you at that time. Police officers are never on your side, and they are going to do everything that they possibly can to try and get you to say something incriminating about your case.

The Basics of an OWI Conviction

“In order for you to be convicted of a civil OWI in Wisconsin, the prosecuting agency has to satisfy their legal burden of proof. Specifically, they must be able to establish that you committed the offense by clear and convincing evidence. A motor vehicle driver is per se intoxicated if they have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent or greater.”

When it comes to drunk driving charges, your lawyer might be able to introduce various legal defenses on your behalf. For example, they could argue that the breathalyzer equipment was defective at the time or that a field sobriety test was deficient in some way.

Potential Consequences of an OWI Conviction

If you were ultimately convicted on an OWI offense, it will be left up to a judge to sentence you. An OWI conviction often comes with numerous legal penalties, including potential fines, jail time (even on a first-time offense), probation, and community service. An OWI conviction could also come with numerous administrative penalties, including loss of a license for a period of time and/or mandatory installation of an ignition interlock device on your vehicle.

Finally, OWI convictions can result in significant collateral consequences. This is especially true in today's society, where individuals have easy access to online criminal records. Having even one OWI conviction on your record can make it difficult to get a job, gain admission to a college or university, or get a professional license. Fortunately, when you have a skilled defense lawyer on board in your case, you have a better chance of beating your OWI charge – or, if you are ultimately convicted, lessening the potential consequences of the conviction.

Talk to an Experienced OWI Defense Attorney about Your Legal Matter Today

The experienced attorneys at Cohen Law Offices can assist you with defending against your criminal OWI charge. To schedule a free case evaluation and legal consultation with an experienced OWI defense lawyer, please call Cohen Law Offices today at (715) 514-5051 or contact us online.