Field Sobriety Tests in Wisconsin: What They Measure and Whether You Can Refuse
The roadside portion of a Wisconsin OWI stop is where most drivers make their situation better or worse without realizing they are making a choice at all. An officer asks you to step out of the car and follow a pen light with your eyes, walk a line heel to toe, stand on one leg. […]
OWI vs. PAC in Wisconsin: Why You’re Charged With Two Things at Once
If you have been charged with drunk driving in Wisconsin, one of the first things that confuses people is the paperwork itself. You were pulled over once, on one night, for one alleged act of driving — and yet the citation or complaint lists two charges: OWI and PAC. It looks like the State is […]
Second-Offense OWI in Wisconsin: When a Ticket Becomes a Crime
If you have just been arrested for a second time for operating while intoxicated in Waukesha County, Milwaukee, or one of the surrounding communities, the ground feels very different than it did the first time — and it should. In Wisconsin, a first-offense OWI is not a crime. A second one usually is. That single […]
Can You Refuse a Breath or Blood Test in Wisconsin? Implied Consent Explained
It is one of the most common questions a defense lawyer hears, and one of the most misunderstood: “Do I have to blow?” The honest answer in Wisconsin is layered, because there is not one test at issue but several, and the rules are not the same for each. Getting the distinction wrong — either […]
What Happens After a First-Offense OWI in Wisconsin? A New Berlin Defense Lawyer Explains
If you have just been arrested for operating while intoxicated in Waukesha County, Milwaukee, or one of the surrounding communities, the hours that follow are disorienting. You are released with a citation, a court date, and a stack of paper you only half understand, and you are left to wonder how much of your life […]
What Is an Ignition Interlock Device and When Is It Required in Wisconsin?
An ignition interlock device is required after most OWI convictions in Wisconsin. Here’s how it works, how long you’ll need it, and what happens if you tamper with it.
Can You Get a Hardship License After an OWI in Wisconsin?
Losing your license after an OWI can cost you your job. Wisconsin’s occupational license may let you keep driving — but there are conditions and a process to follow.
What Is the Difference Between OWI and DUI in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin calls it OWI, not DUI. The name is different but the consequences are just as serious — and the law is broader than most people realize.
Stopped for a DUI in Wisconsin: What Happens Next?
From the traffic stop to the court date, here’s a clear walkthrough of what happens when you’re arrested for OWI in Wisconsin.
Wisconsin OWI First Offense: Penalties, Process, and Your Options
An OWI — Operating While Intoxicated — charge in Wisconsin is taken seriously even on a first offense. While Wisconsin treats a first OWI differently from subsequent offenses in some respects, the consequences can still be significant and long-lasting. If you have been charged with OWI for the first time, understanding exactly what you are […]