3 Mistakes to Avoid Making After a Wisconsin OWI Arrest

 Posted on February 20, 2020 in DUI/OWI

Being accused of operating a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol (known as operating while intoxicated, or OWI) can have significant consequences. Unfortunately, this is not uncommon in the state of Wisconsin. According to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, there were nearly 30,000 OWI arrests in the state in 2015, with nearly 24,000 people receiving a conviction. Unlike most other states, Wisconsin’s penalties for a first-time OWI offense are somewhat lenient, but that does not mean the charge is not serious. What you do after your OWI arrest can affect the outcome of your case and many aspects of your life. Below are a few things you should avoid doing after you have been arrested for OWI in Wisconsin.

Ignoring Your OWI Charge

Believe it or not, some people think that ignoring an OWI charge will make it go away. While this is not true at all, it can also affect the outcome of your case. If you do not take any action in your OWI case, such as failing to show up to your court date, you could face additional charges and fines, in addition to the penalties for your OWI charge. 

Assuming You Will Be Convicted

Another mistake you should avoid making is assuming that you are guilty if you are arrested. It is important to remember that an arrest is simply an officer’s suspicion that a law has been broken. The old saying “innocent until proven guilty” is true. You will not face criminal penalties for your OWI charge until you are found guilty in a court of law.

Trying to Represent Yourself at Your Trial

It is never a good idea to try to represent yourself in criminal trials, regardless of the charge. When it comes to something as serious as an OWI charge, it is very risky to represent yourself, because so much is at stake. A Wisconsin OWI defense attorney can be invaluable to you, because an experienced criminal defense attorney understands the laws and is often familiar with the prosecutors and judges, which could greatly help your case. This is what your attorney does for a living -- defends people. Based on the circumstances of your case, he or she will formulate an effective defense on your behalf.

Contact a Jefferson County Criminal Defense Attorney

If you have been arrested for OWI in Wisconsin, it is crucial that you understand how your actions could affect the outcome of your case. You should not try to deal with your case on your own. Contact a skilled Milwaukee County OWI defense lawyer as soon as possible. At the Bucher Law Group, LLC, we have assisted numerous clients with their OWI cases, and we will do everything we can to help you avoid a conviction or receive the most lenient sentence possible if a conviction is unavoidable. To schedule a free consultation, call our office today at 262-303-4916.

Sources:

https://quotewizard.com/auto-insurance/11-things-you-need-to-know-about-dwi-dui

https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/safety/education/drunk-drv/ddarrests.aspx