Posted on April 26, 2018 in DUI/OWI

Drunk driving accidents occur because people do not find alternatives to drunk driving. They would rather get behind the wheel and take a risk then find another way to get home. The next time you are out drinking, be sure to consider the alternatives to drunk driving. By doing so, you can prevent a DUI and save your live as well as the lives of others. Here are four alternatives to drunk driving you should consider:

1. Public Transportation

If you need a ride after drinking, public transportation is a cost-effective option. You can take a bus, subway, or rail system and will not have to worry about whether or not you will make it home safe and sound. Be sure to check public transportation schedules in advance and make sure your public transportation method of choice will be running when you plan to go home.

2. Ridesharing Services

There is a reason ridesharing services have increased in popularity in recent years. They are convenient, dependable, and affordable. If you are planning on drinking, make sure you download the app of Uber, Lyft, or another ridesharing service. This way, you can easily request a ride when you are ready to go home.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on April 13, 2018 in DUI/OWI

Police officers are regular people who make mistakes. If you’ve been arrested for a DUI, it’s important to realize that the police officer who pulled you over may have made a mistake. Since a mistake by a police officer may help you avoid a conviction, you should familiarize yourself with the most common police mistakes in DUI arrests.

1. Lack of Probable Cause. In order to pull you over, a police officer must have had probable cause that you were driving under the influence of alcohol. If you were not swerving, speeding, or engaging in any other driving behavior that may lead a police officer to believe you were under the influence, your arrest may be invalid.
2. Errors with Field Sobriety Tests. Field sobriety tests assess balance, coordination, and the ability of a driver to pay attention to more than one task. There are strict, detailed procedures for administering field sobriety tests. For instance, police officers must take fatigue, certain medical conditions, and the weather into consideration when administering these tests. Since it can be complicated to administer field sobriety tests, police officers may often make errors.

   Continue Reading ››

 Posted on March 29, 2018 in Gun Violations

If you own a gun, you should have a thorough understanding of the gun laws in Wisconsin. By failing to follow the laws, you can face criminal charges such as heavy fines, jail time, and a permanent criminal record that can negatively impact your career, relationships, and future. Let’s take a closer look at the details of Wisconsin gun laws.

Wisconsin Gun Law Basics

Since Wisconsin is an open carry state, you may carry a loaded gun in public. You do not need a license or permit to carry a gun in a public setting. When anyone can see a gun that you are carrying, you are considered an open gun carrier.

If you would like to open carry, you must be at least 18 years of age. While permits are not necessary to carry a gun openly, you must obtain a license to carry a concealed weapon. It’s important to note that Wisconsin cities do not have the right to create gun possession laws that go against the state’s open carry laws. 

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on March 23, 2018 in DUI/OWI

If you have been charged with an OWI in Wisconsin, there are a variety of penalties you may face. While hefty fines and a loss of driving privileges are harsh penalties, they are not as intimidating as jail time. Let us take a closer look at the potential jail sentences for an OWI and how you may be able to avoid being locked behind bars.

Jail Sentences for Wisconsin OWIs

If you have been charged with an OWI for the first time, you will not face any jail time. However, if you are charged with a second offense OWI, you can be left with 5 days to 6 months in jail. A third offense OWI may come with 45 days to a year in jail while a fourth offense may lead to 60 days to one year in jail. 

Avoiding a Jail Sentence with Legal Representation 

To increase your chances of avoiding jail time, you should reach out to an experienced DUI attorney. An attorney can look for flaws in the prosecution’s case to help you avoid a conviction and the jail sentence it may lead to. 

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on March 16, 2018 in DUI/OWI

If you were a passenger in a vehicle with a drunk driver, you may be asking yourself whether you can be charged with an OWI. Although only the driver can be charged with an OWI, the prosecution may question whether or not you were behind the wheel. Let’s take a closer look at the elements of an OWI and what happens if you are arrested for one to help answer this question.

Elements of an OWI

In order to be charged with an OWI in Wisconsin, you must be driving or in actual physical control of the vehicle. The following must also be true:

• You are under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
• Your blood alcohol level is 0.08 or higher.

Due to the fact that passengers are not usually in physical control of vehicles, you cannot be charged with an OWI if you are a passenger. However, if a crash occurred and you are standing outside of the vehicle with driver, the prosecution may question who was actually driving the vehicle. In addition, if you control the steering wheel while you are in the passenger’s seat or the prosecution has reason to believe you switched positions with the driver following the accident, you can be charged with an OWI.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on March 05, 2018 in DUI/OWI

If you have been arrested for an OWI for the first time, you are likely scared and unsure of what to expect. Fortunately, a OWI arrest does not automatically mean a conviction and there are things you can do to ensure the best possible outcome for your case. Below is some information to help you understand what to expect from a first time OWI arrest and tips on what you should do if you have been arrested.

First-Time DUI Penalties

When you get arrested for an OWI for the first time, you may feel like you are the only one to go through this. It is important to understand that you are not alone—as thousands of people get pulled over for driving under the influence in Wisconsin each year.

While the penalties you are left with will depend on the specifics of your case and whether your attorney can help reduce or drop your charges, first-time OWI penalties include:

• License revocation: Your driver’s license will be revoked for six to nine months.

  Continue Reading ››

 Posted on February 28, 2018 in DUI/OWI

If you have a DUI on your criminal record and are searching for a job, you may be nervous about how potential employers will react when they find out about your DUI conviction. Here are some tips on how to explain your DUI on a job application or in an interview and increase your chances of landing the job. 

Is Disclosing a DUI Necessary?

It may be tempting not to mention your DUI while applying for a job. However, if an application asks you about your criminal history, it is important that you reveal your DUI. Since employers almost always run background checks prior to hiring employees, not mentioning your DUI can make you appear untrustworthy. In most cases, hiring managers and recruiters refrain from hiring candidates who were not honest about their criminal history. 

Will I Not Get a Job After Disclosing a DUI?

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on February 22, 2018 in DUI/OWI

When you get pulled over for a DUI, you will likely feel overwhelmed with thoughts and wonder whether you will lose your license, how your insurance company will react, and who you should talk to first. If you do get accused of a DUI, it is important to follow the following five steps.

1. Document Everything. You should take the time to write down everything you can remember from your DUI arrest. Doing so can help you build a strong case and may help reduce or dismiss your charge. Some points that are vital to document include:

• When and where you were stopped
• Whether a breathalyzer test was administered
• What the officer communicated to you and vice versa
• What types of tests the officer conducted

2. Make Your Social Media Profiles Private. If your Facebook page shows pictures of you drinking the night of your DUI arrest, your arrest has a greater chance of turning into a conviction. Even if you are innocent, your photos can be taken out of context and taint your reputation. 

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on February 12, 2018 in DUI/OWI

Most people are aware of the harsh penalties of a DUI. However, many do not consider the emotional effects a DUI can bring. If you have been pulled over for a DUI, you will likely go through a cycle of various emotions that can take a toll on your well-being. Here is list of the six of the emotions you may be left with after a DUI arrest:

1. Denial and Shock. Following a DUI arrest, you may be in complete shock and deny the fact that the situation actually occurred. Often times, denial and shock lasts for hours, days, and weeks. These feelings are even more likely to occur if you have never been arrested before.
2. Guilt and Pain. Eventually, feelings of denial and shock fade and replace with emotional pain and guilt. Even though your guilt and emotional pain may be significant, know that you will survive the situation and eventually move on with your life.

   Continue Reading ››

 Posted on February 03, 2018 in DUI/OWI

Whether you love football or simply enjoy the commercials, you will likely be watching the Super Bowl this month. While going out to sports bars and parties to watch the game is fun, it can be dangerous and lead to a DUI if certain safety precautions are disregarded. Here are six tips that can ensure you stay safe and avoid drunk driving on Super Bowl Sunday, one of the biggest drinking days of the year:

1. Have a Plan. Instead of just deciding to drive somewhere to watch the Super Bowl last minute, you should have a plan well in advance. Your plan should determine where you will be watching, who you will be watching with, whether or not you will be drinking, and how you will get home safely.
2. Designate a Designated Driver. It is a good idea to find a designated driver before going out to watch the Super Bowl. This individual should not drink during the festivities and take on the responsibility of driving you and anyone else who drinks home once the game is finished. 

   Continue Reading ››