Updated on March 24th, 2021 at 03:49 pm
If this is the first time you have been pulled over and cited with a DUI/OWI, it may be very scary and leave you wondering how severely your life will be affected. If you have been previously cited with a DUI/OWI, you may wonder how you will keep your job if you end up in jail. The more charges a person has, the more severe the Penalties. This could mean the worries amount to how your bills will get paid, if you will receive continuing support from family and friends, or if you will still be able to go hunting. Receiving a Wisconsin DUI/OWI can mean a civil forfeiture, a misdemeanor, or a felony.
Wisconsin DUI/OWI Civil Forfeiture
A first offense Wisconsin DUI/OWI is typically a civil forfeiture matter. The process for a civil forfeiture is quick, as this type of case does not restrict your personal liberties, meaning there is no jail time. In Wisconsin the penalties typical for a first offense DUI/OWI include a fine, a minimum of six months Driver’s License Suspension, and AODA Assessment.
Wisconsin DUI/OWI Misdemeanor
A Wisconsin misdemeanor is a charge with a penalty of up to one year in County Jail. When facing a Wisconsin misdemeanor, a person has the privilege of Huber release. A person receiving a first offense OWI/DUI with a minor child in the car qualifies as a misdemeanor. Other OWI/DUI misdemeanors are a second or third offense and a fourth offense if more than five years has passed since the prior offense.
Wisconsin DUI/OWI Felony
A felony in Wisconsin is a charge with a penalty of a Sentence longer than one year, usually served in prison. A person serving time in prison does not get Huber privileges. They also lose all gun rights. A person, who receives a fourth OWI/DUI, with a prior offense within the last five years, and any OWI/DUI thereafter, will face penalties of a felony. It is also a felony for a person who has a second offense of driving under the influence with a minor child in the car.
Hiring an Experienced Wisconsin DUI Defense Attorney
Receiving a drunk driving ticket in Wisconsin is serious, as it can affect you mentally, emotionally, socially, and financially. Hiring a dedicated DUI Defense Attorney can help ease the stress and turn this unfortunate event into a bearable one. Attorney Nathan J. Dineen is a Top-Rated Wisconsin DUI Defense Attorney. Contact him toll free at 1-877-384-6800 or complete a Free Online Case Review. Knowing the consequences may help you think before you drink and drive.