DWI Lawyer Rock County, WI

Providing Skilled Legal Representation to Fight Drunk Driving Charges

If you have been arrested on drunk driving charges, you must take prompt action to protect your license and freedom. After a DWI arrest, you only have a short duration of time to request an administrative hearing to avoid a six-month license suspension. Losing your license can make getting to work, school, and other tasks more challenging.

The most effective approach is to hire a criminal defense attorney with comprehensive experience handling DWI/OWI cases. Even though a first-time OWI conviction is not considered a criminal offense, it can still result in legal and personal implications that can be challenging to overcome.

Contact Casper Mehlos Law Group, LLC today and ask to schedule a free consultation with a Rock County, WI attorney. DWI lawyer who will professionally evaluate your case.

Why is it Important to Hire a Lawyer After Being Charged With Drunk Driving?

After being arrested for drunk driving, you must seek legal representation immediately so you can improve your odds of obtaining a successful outcome for your DWI case. For example, suppose you have been arrested on a Wisconsin DWI or OWI charge. In that case, you risk losing your driver’s license for at least six months if you do not request an administrative hearing within 10 days of your arrest or receiving your BAC results. Your attorney can help you navigate the complex legal process and review the state’s evidence to identify flaws and ensure your rights were not violated.

A knowledgeable Rock County, WI DWI attorney can help you mitigate the negative consequences of a DWI conviction.

If you have been arrested for drunk driving, you must take proactive steps to protect your license and avoid the social stigma a DWI conviction can bring. Our DWI attorneys have a proven track record of success in the legal community and are dedicated to helping clients navigate and overcome their legal challenges.

When is Drunk Driving Charged as a Felony in Wisconsin?

The Wisconsin criminal justice system has strict guidelines that dictate when individuals accused of drunk driving can be charged with a felony. Although a first-time DWI/OWI charge is generally not considered a criminal offense, subsequent offenses can result in a criminal conviction. If a minor was in the car when the offense or injuries occurred, the charges are automatically upgraded to a Class H felony.

Second and Third DWI Offenses

For example, second and third DWI offenses are typically charged as misdemeanors if no aggravating factors are present. Aggravating factors include a minor under 16 being present in the car or the offense resulting in injury to someone. Misdemeanor convictions can result in jail time, steep fines, and license suspension.

Fourth DWI Offense

A fourth OWI is charged as an automatic Class H felony. If you are convicted of a fourth offense, you could be sentenced to 60 days to six years in jail, a fine ranging up to $10,000, and lifetime driver’s license revocation if the previous OWI offense occurred within 15 years of the current charges.

Fifth DWI Offense

A fifth OWI is charged as a Class G felony, and if convicted, you will face a mandatory prison sentence ranging from 18 months to 10 years. You will also be ordered to pay a steep fine of up to $25,000 and face the potential of lifetime license revocation.

What Will Happen to My Driver’s License if I Refuse to Take a Breathalyzer Test?

If you were pulled over on suspicion of drunk driving and refused to take a breathalyzer, your license will be suspended for one year for a first offense. Additionally, you will be required to install an ignition interlock device (IID) on your vehicle for at least one year at your own expense. You must also wait 30 days to apply for an occupational license. Penalties are doubled if a minor under age 16 was in your vehicle.

Second Refusal With No Prior Convictions

If you have no prior convictions, your second refusal results in the same penalties as your first refusal, including the loss of driving privileges and a mandatory one-year installation of an IID.

Second Refusal With Prior Convictions

The penalties for a second and subsequent breathalyzer refusals with prior convictions increase with each offense. For example, if you have a prior OWI conviction within the past 10 years and refuse a breathalyzer test, your license will be revoked for two years. You will also be required to install an IID for two years and must wait at least 90 days to apply for an occupational license.

Third Refusal

If you refuse a third breathalyzer test, your license will be suspended for three years and a mandatory three-year installation of an IID. You must also wait at least 120 days to apply for an occupational license.

Individuals who have been convicted of two or more OWI offenses in the past five years are required to wait one year to apply for an occupational license. Regardless of the number of offenses, defendants must maintain absolute sobriety while their legal issues are being processed through the criminal justice system.

Do Wisconsin Prosecutors Ever Offer Plea Deals for Drunk Driving Charges?

Wisconsin prosecutors often offer plea deals to defendants accused of drunk driving. Prosecutors typically have heavy caseloads, which can result in backlogs in the court system. Plea deals are often utilized to avoid expensive and time-consuming trials.

Although plea deals avoid defendants from having to go to trial for OWI charges, they will still face penalties. Favorable plea deals may result in defendants receiving a reduced sentence. One example of an OWI plea deal is when drunk driving charges are reduced to “wet reckless.” A prosecutor may agree to a wet reckless charge if a defendant’s BAC tested near the legal limit, they have no previous record, and the case did not result in an accident.

Other options in plea deals include dropping other charges associated with the DWI case, which can result in reduced sentencing. In other instances, defendants may be sentenced to probation instead of serving jail time. With any OWI sentences, defendants should expect to be ordered to complete mandatory drug and alcohol classes.

One of the most substantial benefits of hiring a Rock County, WI DWI lawyer is that they will advocate to help you avoid jail time and convictions that will negatively impact your future.

Casper Mehlos Law Group, LLC, has consistently delivered exceptional results for our clients and understands what it takes to achieve favorable outcomes. Contact us today to discover more about our legal services and how we can assist you.

Can I Count on Your Law Firm to Obtain the Best Possible Outcome for My DWI Case?

Casper Mehlos Law Group, LLC, believes our clients deserve quality legal representation. We have represented clients in numerous DWI/OWI cases and will work to ensure you receive the best possible outcome for your case.

When you come to our attorneys for help, we will work diligently to help you achieve your legal goals, allowing you to resume your life. Our attorneys are skilled negotiators with extensive experience handling DWI cases, including those involving injuries or prior offenses.

Our attorneys and legal team are committed to treating clients and their families with the respect and integrity they deserve. We aim to have your charges dismissed or reduced. We will scrutinize the state’s case to identify inaccuracies in testing and determine whether the officer had probable cause to initiate the traffic stop.

Contact our Rock County, WI DWI lawyers today by calling (608) 820-8926 to schedule a free consultation so we can determine what legal strategies suit your needs.