If you are convicted of an OWI in Racine or Kenosha, there are non-negotiable penalties. These penalties are a driver’s license revocation, fines, Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse assessment along with any recommended treatment and 6 points on your license. Also, most OWI’s have unavoidable jail time and require a breathalyzer (ignition interlock device) installed in your vehicle. An OWI in Wisconsin can be anywhere from a ticket to a serious felony that has required time in prison.

If you are facing OWI charges in Racine or Kenosha, call Grieve Law's criminal defense attorneys for a free case consultation.

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Racine & Kenosha OWI Lawyers

An OWI first offense, in Wisconsin, is a ticket. There is neither mandatory jail time nor possible jail time so long as there was not an accident with an injury or a minor in the vehicle. Then it is not a criminal offense, but that does not mean the penalties associated with an OWI first are those you would get for a normal ticket. Not only will you be required to pay a fine and have points associated with your license, but your license will be revoked, you will be required to go to alcohol or drug treatment and you could be required to have a breathalyzer in your car. While your first OWI is not a criminal charge that does not mean it is not serious. You need an experienced OWI attorney that knows the law to reduce the penalties you will face. Hiring a lawyer becomes even more important if you are being charged with an OWI 2 or other criminal drunk driving charges.

2nd, 3rd, 4th Offense OWIs in Racine & Kenosha

A normal OWI second, having a prior within 10 years is a criminal misdemeanor. If convicted, a second OWI requires at least some time in jail with a minimum of 5 days and a maximum of 6 months.  The exception occurs when your prior OWI was more than 10 years ago, in that situation, the OWI will be treated as a second-first-offense OWI.  If you are convicted of a second-first offense OWI and are charged again, Wisconsin will count every offense after 1989.  Meaning there are scenarios where you could have 2 first offenses and then a third offense OWI, never being charged or convicted of a standard OWI second.

Being convicted of an OWI third offense enhances all the penalties that you face; longer mandatory jail time, longer maximum jail time, longer driver’s license revocation, and increased fines court costs and other penalties. The maximum jail time on a third offense OWI is 12 months in jail, making a third offense the highest misdemeanor OWI offense.

A felony OWI, fourth or greater offense has the potential of sending you to prison, for a maximum of 6 years. Not only can a fourth offense send you to prison, but if your previous OWI was within 15 years you face a lifetime license revocation without the possibility of an occupational license. You may be able to have your license reinstated after 10 years.

Penalties for OWIs in Wisconsin only get harsher the more you are convicted of. The OWI attorneys at Grieve Law are the best at getting OWI charges dropped or reduced in Racine & Kenosha counties.

Additional OWI Penalties

Fines, jail or prison time, driver’s license revocation, vehicle breathalyzers and mandatory treatment are not the only penalties or impacts an OWI conviction will have on your life. 

• You will have to carry high-risk insurance, SR-22, for a duration determined by the Department of Transportation
• You can be denied entrance to Canada and some European Union countries 
• You may not be able to rent a car or get a job requiring a clean driving record
• If you have a CDL, you may lose it permanently

Following an OWI conviction, you must follow your requirements to the letter. If you fail to set up your AODA you can become ineligible for an occupational license. If you drive outside of your occupational license hours or without a required breathalyzer you can face criminal charges punishable by up to 12 months in jail.