What To Do if You’ve Been Declared a Habitual Traffic Offender in Wisconsin

 Posted on May 24, 2022 in Criminal Defense

For those with multiple traffic violations in Wisconsin, you run the risk of penalties beyond the normal accumulation of fines and license suspensions. Drivers who have racked up a qualifying number of violations over a five-year period will be declared a Habitual Traffic Offender and automatically lose their license for five years. The road to getting your license back is not easy, but working with the right attorney can help when you are facing this situation.

Wisconsin’s Tough Habitual Traffic Offender Law

To ensure public safety and protect other drivers and residents from those with a history of repeated traffic violations, Wisconsin has instituted a Habitual Traffic Offender law. Violations are tracked by the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles, and the law applies to traffic offenses by Wisconsin drivers both in the state and out of state. It also keeps track of residents of other states who have convictions in Wisconsin. To qualify as a Habitual Traffic Offender, a driver will have accumulated the following within a five-year period:

• Convictions for 12 or more moving violations committed in Wisconsin. These can include speeding, failure to obey traffic signals, and similar offenses.

• Four or more major violations committed in any state. These violations include driving under the influence, refusing to submit to a DUI test, reckless driving, felony use of a vehicle, attempting to elude an officer, and other major violations.

• Any combination of 12 or more minor or major violations.

The revocation happens automatically with the qualifying conviction, and full driving privileges are revoked for at least five years. After two years, you may apply to get an occupational license. This is a restricted driver’s license that allows you to commute to and from work and perform other necessary errands for your family and must be approved by your local county circuit court. To regain full driving privileges, you may need to start the entire driver’s license process from scratch.

Call a Milwaukee County Traffic Litigation Lawyer

We know how important your driver’s license can be to keep your job and provide for your family. If you are looking to get your license back after being declared a Habitual Traffic Offender or for any other traffic-related criminal offense, you can trust the Kenosha County attorneys for traffic-related criminal defense at Bucher Law Group, LLC. We will review your case, explore your options, and help you work towards getting your license back. Call 262-303-4916 today for your free initial consultation.

Source:

https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/dmv/license-drvs/susp-or-rvkd/hto-law.aspx

https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/351.pdf