Wisconsin is fighting back against irresponsible drivers who elect to drive while intoxicated. They are enforcing strict penalties and punishments for these violations. Anyone who is arrested on a DUI charge should contact criminal defense lawyers in Hartford, WI to represent them immediately.
DUI Penalties and Punishments in Wisconsin
The state of Wisconsin identifies DUI by a blood-alcohol content reading of 0.08 percent. For commercial drivers, this limit is lowered to 0.04 percent. Any minors who register at 0.02 percent are guilty of a DUI charge.
Any driver who refuses to take a breathalyzer test receives a one-year license revocation for the first offense. Two-years suspension is applied to a second offense and three years for a third offense. This is based on charges that are acquired within a ten-year period.
A first conviction does not require any jail time. However, if the accused is arrested on a charge of aggravated DUI, he or she may spend at least one or two days in lockup. The fines for this conviction range from $150 up to $300. The suspension period is between six and nine months.
The second conviction requires a jail sentence of no less than five days with a maximum of six months. Fines begin at $300 and top out at $1,100. The driver’s license is suspended for a period of one year to eighteen months. The offender is also required to install an ignition interlocking device into their automobile for this and all additional offenses.
Third DUI offenses require a stay in county lockup that begins at thirty days with a maximum of one year. The fines range between $600 and $2,000. The license-suspension period ranges from two to three years. Fourth convictions are classified as a felony and require no less than sixty days and no more than one year in jail. This offense incurs the same fines and suspension period as a third DUI.
Further convictions require a maximum sentence of six years and fines that range up to $10,000. Any driver accused of DUI should contact criminal defense lawyers in Hartford, WI immediately following an arrest.
