OWI Defense - Wisconsin Drunk Driving Defenses

Wisconsin OWI Lawyer

Chirafisi Law Office represents people who have been accused or charged with an OWI in the state of Wisconsin. An OWI - operating while intoxicated - is Wisconsin's law prohibiting the use of a motorized vehicle by a person who has a blood alcohol content in excess of the legal limit. That limit is determined by the person's age, job and prior convictions. You must act to demand an administrative hearing (before your upcoming judicial (court) hearing, within 10 days or you will lose your driver's license.

Age & Wisconsin Drunk Driving Laws

Under Wisconsin laws, a person must be 21 years of age to legally consume alcohol. A person under the age of 21 years is allowed to have zero alcohol in their blood if they are stopped by police (called the zero tolerance laws). A person over the age of 21 years with no prior convictions or a commercial driver's license may not have a blood alcohol content level of .08 or greater. However, a person over 21 years can still be arrested for operating while under the influence (OWI) even if their blood alcohol content level is below .08.

Commercial Driver's License & Wisconsin Laws

If a person possesses a commercial driver's license (CDL), the laws are stricter. If a person with a CDL is arrested while driving in a commercial capacity (or "on duty"), he or she will be immediately prevented from doing their job (driving).

Prior Convictions For Drunk Driving & Wisconsin Laws

If a person has a prior conviction for drunk driving, the permissable legal blood alcohol limit is lower, depending upon the number of prior convictions on the person's arrest record.

Your Driver's License & The First 10 Days

If you possess a Wisconsin driver's license, and you are charged with an OWI, you must act to save your driver's license within the first ten days or you can loose your privilege to drive.

Administrative Hearing

The first hearing in an OWI case in the state of Wisconsin is an administrative hearing, which is held to determine the fate of your driver's license. If you do not answer to the administrative hearing, your license will be suspended or revoked, depending on other circumstances of your case.

Judicial Hearing

While the administrative hearing address your driver's license, the judicial - or court - hearing addresses the charges against you for violating Wisconsin OWI laws. The judicial hearing will address your tests, your refusal to submit to a test, the level of alcohol in your blood, the manner in which the test was conducted, and the results of that test and how they were handled after the testing procedure. As well, evidence will be presented regarding your ability to complete the tests, your responses to the officer when you were stopped, the officer's questions, and your physical abilities. The officer or officers that arrested you will also be in court to testify against you.

Contact Information

For a free initial consultation, please contact the law offices of Attorney Corey Chirafisi.

Telephone: 608.250.3500
Toll-free: 1.866.514.0647