Wisconsin Drunk Driving Laws

The punishment for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated (OWI) in Wisconsin doubles if a child under 16 is in the offender's car at the time of arrest. Punishment for a second conviction may include installation of an ignition interlock device (IID) on each car owned by or registered to the offender.

The basic fine for being convicted of driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent or higher is a fine of $150 to $300 and suspension of driving privileges for six to nine months. The court may also require alcohol abuse assessment, a driver improvement surcharge of $355, and periodic reporting of proof of insurance.

Second OWI Conviction May Include Ignition Locks

For a second OWI conviction, the fine range is $300 to $1,100 and license suspension is 12 to 18 months. Jail time of five days to six months is an option, as immobilization of the offender's vehicle or installation of IIDs.

To prevent a car from being driven by an intoxicated driver, the IID is wired into the ignition system and the driver must breathe into a tube attached to the device and pass a BAC test to start the car. Once the car is moving, periodic retests are required. Failing a retest is recorded and reported to officials when the system receives periodic inspection. All IID costs, including installation, rental, and inspections, are normally paid by the offender.

Penalties Increase with Each Conviction

Penalties for third and subsequent OWI convictions are increasingly harsh. Fines may rise to $10,000 and jail time to six years.

If you are arrested for OWI in Wisconsin, contact an experienced attorney. You have rights under the law, and your attorney will make sure you take full advantage of those rights. If you are convicted, you face the possibility of loss of income and higher insurance premiums, in addition to the cost of penalties imposed by the court. Your attorney will fight to limit your penalties to those which are reasonable under the law.