Wisconsin OWI Lawyer
Operated while impaired is similar to a driving while intoxicated (DWI) arrest but it often does not only take place on the road. Furthermore, if you are caught with any illegal substance in your body while behind the wheel of any type of vehicle, commercial or recreational, they you could be charged with an OWI. An OWI can include:
- Operating heavy machinery at work while impaired or intoxicated
- Driving a golf cart while intoxicated
- Driving a boat while impaired
- Driving a snowmobile or ATV while impaired
- Driving a commercial truck while impaired
- Driving a forklift while intoxicated
Operated While Impaired Penalties
OWI arrests often occur on the weekends and after special occasions. The reason is because many people will enjoy a beverage or three when they are celebrating without thinking about what could happen the next day if they need to operate a machine or later than night when they need to get home.
OWI laws are very similar to DWI laws in that the degree of your defense depends on whether there are any aggravating factors present. If no aggravating factors are present at the time of the arrest, then you could be faced with a fourth degree OWI. If two or three aggravating factors are present then you could be faced with a third degree or second degree OWI. If three aggravating factors are present at the time of your arrest then you could be faced with a first degree felony OWI.
Aggravating Factors include:
- A previous DWI conviction within the past 10 years
- A BAC of higher than .20
- Driving with a child under the age of 16 during the time of the arrest
Substances that are against the law when operating a vehicle include:
- Alcohol. If you are under the age of 21, then you are not allowed to drive with any alcohol in your system. If you are over the age of 21, then you are allowed .08 which is around 1 to 2 standard drinks depending on your body weight and other factors. Keep in mind that if you had a big night and head onto the road the next day you may still have the alcohol in your system. If you are pulled over or if you are subject to random alcohol testing at work you could still blow over the limit even if you had the night to sleep it off. Alcohol takes around 2 hours per drink to leave your system and thus if you had 10 or more drinks, you could still have the alcohol in your body 20 hours later.
- Marijuana
- Cocaine and crack cocaine
- Methamphetamine
- Prescription drugs if you are unable to show a prescription
- Heroin
Contact an Experienced Wisconsin OWI Lawyer
The good news for you is that there are several different ways you can defend your case and walk away without this criminal conviction on your permanent record. Contacting Kirk Anderson is the first thing you should do when you are arrested. As an experienced OWI and DWI lawyer, he will know exactly how to proceed to ensure the best outcome possible.
Don’t let this criminal accusation cost you your life. Call the Anderson Law Firm 24/7 at 952-582-2904 for your free consultation with a Wisconsin OWI lawyer.
DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this article does not constitute an attorney-client relationship. Please contact attorney Kirk Anderson for an initial consultation.