Usually, if you’re convicted of your first Operating While Intoxicated offense in Wisconsin, the fine amount is between $150.00 and $300.00. In addition to fines, you will need to pay court costs and surcharges. This brings the total cost up to $700.00–$1,000.00 in immediate expenses.
AODA costs:
If convicted of a drunk driving first offense in Wisconsin you’ll face a mandatory AODA (Alcohol and Other Drug Assessment) and be required to follow through with the recommended treatment. With the cost of both the assessment and your mandatory treatment, you’ll be on the hook for hundreds, sometimes even thousands, of dollars out of pocket.
Insurance costs:
Your existing auto insurance will need to be replaced with Wisconsin’s high-risk auto insurance, more commonly known as SR-22 insurance. SR-22 insurance can sometimes double, triple, or even quadruple the rates you are paying right now. Just filing as a high-risk driver can lead to higher fees. While you won’t have SR-22 insurance forever, your insurance company will not forget you had a drunk driving conviction - you’ll be facing years of significantly higher insurance rates.
IID costs:
Depending on the specifics of your case, you may have to install an ignition interlock device in your car. An IID is typically installed in the steering column of any car that is titled or registered in your name and usually costs around $1,000.00 or more per year of use. People who are married and in a two-car household can expect to pay another $2,000.00 or more. If there are any equipment issues, such as breakages or installation problems, there’ll be additional charges that could run into the thousands. Keep in mind if it’s part of your court order you won’t be allowed to get a driver’s license without first showing proof to the Department of Transportation you successfully installed an ignition interlock device in any vehicle titled or registered in your name. The penalties for being caught operating a motor vehicle without a court-ordered IID include state criminal charges that could result in months, possibly even a year, of jail time and thousands of dollars more in fines.
If the court orders you to have an ignition interlock device it means your new legal limit for the time you have the device installed is .02% blood alcohol concentration. For most people, that’s a single drink or even less than one drink. Exceeding the adjusted limit could result in a prohibited alcohol concentration (PAC) as a second offense charge.
DMV costs:
Do these expenses sound like a lot? Because we didn’t even talk about your driver’s license fees and reinstatement costs with the Department of Motor Vehicles. Not to mention the inconvenience and embarrassment of having an occupational license or needing to blow into an ignition interlock device before you can start your car when picking up your friends or your children to go someplace.
Transportation costs:
Right away you'll face the towing and impound costs for your vehicle after being arrested on the side of the road. When you have an occupational license, that doesn’t mean your need to drive places will align with the times of your "driving windows." You will have to drive to meet people and do things outside those times.
Your first offense drunk driving conviction in Wisconsin may wind up costing you over $10,000 depending on the result of the case. A first OWI charge isn’t a guaranteed conviction. Get your case evaluated by an experienced Wisconsin OWI attorney to learn about your chances for reduced charges or even dismissal.
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