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Appleton OWI attorneys take OWI cases whether it is the a 1st OWI, 2nd OWI, or 5th OWI. Sometimes called DUIs or drunk driving charges, in Outagamie County they are legally called OWIs. Each subsequent OWI has more severe penalties, but an expert OWI lawyer knows that even a 1st OWI should be taken seriously.
In Appleton, Wisconsin, an OWI (Operating While Intoxicated) involves operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or other restricted/illegal substances that impair your ability to drive safely. Based on Wisconsin state law, here’s what qualifies as an OWI in Appleton:
You can still face OWI charges even if your BAC is below the legal limit if law enforcement concludes that alcohol, drugs, or both have impaired your ability to operate a motor vehicle.
Wisconsin’s implied consent law requires you to submit to a chemical test (breath, blood, or urine) if you’re lawfully arrested for an OWI. Refusing to comply can lead to additional penalties, such as license revocation and the installation of an ignition interlock device.
Certain factors can increase the severity of an OWI charge:
95% of first-time OWI offenders decide not to hire an attorney, commonly resulting in a conviction. Some people think hiring an OWI attorney will cost more than just paying the fines – not true. A DUI can cost upwards of $40,000 over your lifetime when you account for increases in insurance rates, fines, and losses in income from potential job termination. Investing in an Appleton OWI attorney to help remove your OWI charges could save you money and a lifetime of struggle.
240 people were arrested for OWI in Appleton in 2020. Appleton OWI arrests account for 37.2% of all OWIs in Outagamie County that year (645). Drunk driving penalties have become more strict over the years. Depending on the severity of your case, you could be facing anything from a couple hundred dollars in fines and a driver’s license revocation to over a year in prison and $25,000 in fines. Contact our Appleton OWI lawyers when you’re facing serious, drunk driving charges.
Penalties for a first offense OWI conviction in Appleton may include 6-9 months of license revocation, an alcohol abuse assessment, a travel ban to Canada and fines ranging from $150 to $300 with a $435 surcharge. If you receive your first OWI with a minor 16 years or younger in the vehicle with you, fines could grow up to $1,100. Fines associated with an OWI offense do not include court costs, applicable blood draw fees or other surcharges.
A second OWI in Wisconsin is a misdemeanor criminal charge if you’ve had a previous conviction within the last 10 years. If your second OWI occurs more than 10 years after the first, your second OWI will be treated similarly to a first OWI.
Penalties for a second OWI include:
Penalties and charges increase if you receive your second OWI with a minor 16 years or younger in the vehicle.
After a second OWI, you will be required to have SR22 high-risk auto insurance. Your life insurance and health insurance rates may also rise. The costs of an OWI charge far outweigh attorney legal fees when you consider the monetary damage imposed on you outside the court system.
A third OWI conviction in Appleton brings a minimum jail time of 45 days. The maximum jail time is one year. Fines for a third OWI range anywhere from $600 to $2000.
Blood alcohol levels play a role in determining how severe an OWI charge is. A BAC (blood alcohol concentration) over .17 can cause fines to double, triple or quadruple in size. This means you could be facing fines of up to $8,000 for a third OWI in Appleton.
A third OWI generally requires a driver’s license revocation for a minimum of 2 years and a maximum of 3 years. You may also be required to install an ignition interlock device in your car for a minimum of 2 years and a maximum of 3 years.
If you were charged with operating while intoxicated in the city of Appleton (or anywhere else in Wisconsin), there’s a chance you’re facing a felony charge depending on the details of your situation. Your OWI charge may be a felony if:
Any felony charge will be on your record for the rest of your life and likely comes with thousands of dollars in fines and some jail time. The best way to fight or reduce your charges is by hiring Appleton’s top DUI defense attorney capable of getting DUI charges reduced and dismissed. Grieve Law’s criminal defense attorneys will go down every path necessary to achieve the best possible outcome for your case.
To learn more about the charges you could be facing, contact our Appleton DUI attorney today.
Grieve Law offers free case consultations and assessments for all OWI, DUI, OUI, and related offenses in Appleton and throughout Wisconsin. Our experienced drunk driving attorneys will review the details of your case and communicate your defense options. If you decide to move past the consultation process, our OWI attorneys will apply the law to the facts of your case to determine the best way to defend you. Our attorneys do not go into a case to present a guilty plea. We do everything we can to achieve the best possible outcome (reductions or dismissals).
Grieve Law’s experienced DUI attorneys in Appleton have a great record of DUI dismissals and charge reductions. Our award-winning team of former prosecutors knows their way around the law and will surprise you with how much they can help.
Grieve Law’s OWI defense attorneys utilize proven strategies to help beat an OWI charge in Appleton, including:
The best way to beat an OWI charge is to hire a criminal defense attorney with experience defending and beating OWI cases. They will apply the law to the facts of your case to achieve the best possible result.
An OWI will stay on your driving and criminal record forever in the state of Wisconsin. An OWI cannot be expunged or removed from your record. Unless you’re able to get the case dismissed or reduced to a different charge, the OWI will be on your record for life.
