Potential Consequences for a Conviction

The penalties for an OWI conviction depend on the number of prior offenses on your record. While you may escape a jail sentence for your first conviction, jail time is a requirement for each subsequent offense. Other potential penalties besides jail could include fines, an alcohol assessment, community service, and the installation of an ignition interlock device. But that’s not all—you will also acquire a criminal record that could have an impact on your future employment as well as your ability to leave the country or secure custody of your children.

Below is a summary of the OWI/DUI consequences:

First OWI Offense

A first OWI offense will likely result in no jail time.

Second OWI Offense

A second OWI conviction will lead to a short stint in jail. The sentence will likely be between 5 days and 6 months in jail.

Third OWI Offense

A third OWI conviction will lead to a jail sentence between 45 days and 1 year.

Fourth OWI Offense

A fourth OWI conviction has a minimum jail sentence of 60 days and could result in 6 years in jail.

Fifth or Sixth OWI Offense

If a person is convicted of a fifth or sixth OWI, the minimum prison sentence is 6 months and the maximum prison sentence is ten years.

Seventh, Eighth, or Ninth OWI Offense

With a seventh, eighth, or ninth conviction, the defendant will face between three and twelve and a half years in prison.

Tenth or Higher OWI Offense

If a person is convicted of their tenth OWI offense, the prison sentence will be between four and fifteen years.

Fines for OWIs

Most OWI convictions will result in a fine as well as jail time.

• • 1st offense OWI – The fine can be between $150 and $300 and a $365 OWI Surcharge.
• • 2nd offense OWI – The fine can be between $350 and $1,000 and a $365 OWI Surcharge.
• • 3rd offense OWI – The fine can be between $600 and $2,000 and a $365 OWI Surcharge.

• 4th offense OWI and beyond -There will be a mandatory minimum fine of $600 and a maximum fine of $25,000.

Assessment for Alcohol Abuse

A person convicted of an OWI may have to undergo Alcohol Use Assessment. An Intoxicated Driver Program (IDP) Assessor will meet with the driver and interview them about their alcohol and drug use. This interview is used to determine if the driver has a substance abuse issue and if rehabilitative treatment is required.

If the Assessor determines a pattern of substance abuse, the driver will have to undergo the recommended treatment within 30 days of the order being issued. This can include enrollment in Alcohol education programs or community-led alcohol abuse programs. 

Community Serviced and Deferred Sentences

At times, the judge may choose to defer the jail time in favor of probation or community service. Probation requires the driver to comply with certain rules in their day-to-day lives, which can include a curfew and abstaining from alcohol or drug use instead of going to prison. Community service gives a convicted person the opportunity to give back to the community in a positive way instead of spending time in jail.

Both of these possibilities are at the discretion of the judge and maybe given out in cases in which the state wants to rehabilitate someone instead of simply punishing them for their actions. 

Ignition Interlock Device

After an OWI conviction, a driver may be required to have an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) installed in their vehicle. This device requires the driver to breathe into the machine and will check for alcohol on their breath before allowing ignition. 

Once the driver is on the road, they may be prompted to perform another breath test to continue driving. If the device detects alcohol, the vehicle’s flashers and the horn will activate until the car has been pulled off the road. 

An IID will be required for any OWI convictions with one exception: if it is a first offense OWI conviction the BAC result was less than .15. In any other circumstance, the IID will be required.

Aggravating Factors in OWI Cases

In addition to the general outlines based on how many previous offenses have occurred, there are a handful of other factors that will help determine how severe the potential repercussions are. 

• • If anyone was injured or killed, the consequences will be significantly harsher and jail time will increase.
• • If a person under the age of 16 was present in the car at the time of the OWI, the jail time will likely double because a minor was endangered by the OWI.
• • Full cooperation with law enforcement will likely help reduce the charges.
• • A lower BAC will generally lead to less jail time and an extremely high BAC can increase jail time. 

 
All of these details will have a major impact on sentencing in addition to the existence of prior OWI convictions. 

Wisconsin OWI FAQ’s That People Ask Online:

How long does an OWI stay on your record in Wisconsin?

An OWI conviction is permanent. Any OWI arrest committed after January 1, 1989, will appear on your record. If for example, you had an OWI conviction in 1991, it would be on your record if you were to be arrested and charged with another one.

Will an OWI arrest be on my permanent record in Wisconsin?

In Wisconsin, your first offense is a civil offense. It will always be on your driving record, but it will not be on your criminal record. Any subsequent OWI convictions will be on your criminal record.

What happens if you blow below .08 BAC in Wisconsin?

.08 is the legal limit for driving. If you were to blow below that on a Breathalyzer, it will be much harder for the prosecution to convict you of an OWI. However, other tickets can be issued to you, like reckless driving. The consequences will also depend on how far below .08 your BAC was.

What happens if you blow above .15% BAC?

If you are charged with your first OWI and your blood alcohol concentration is above .15%, you will likely be required to have an ignition interlock device installed on your car.

Can you explain how the warrant is obtained for the blood draw in an OWI Case?

When you are under suspicion of an OWI, the officer will read you the accused form. At that point, if you don’t consent to have your blood drawn for a BAC test, the officer will call a judge. The officer will then explain to the judge the circumstances of the arrest and the probable cause to arrest you for an OWI. At that point, the judge will decide whether or not there is enough evidence to issue a warrant for a blood draw.

Is there a way to refuse the blood draw?

You have a legal right to refuse a blood draw, but there are consequences for doing so. If the court reviews the circumstances of the case and determines that the refusal was invalid, they will revoke your driver’s license for one year, and require that an ignition interlock device be installed in your vehicle. In a court case, a refusal to have your blood drawn can be used as evidence of your intoxication and lead to a conviction.

How do I get police reports for my OWI in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin has good open records laws. You can file open records request with the police department. They are then legally required to give you the record associated with your case, which includes the police report. An exception to this is if there is a current investigation, then the reports need to be requested from the prosecutor.

Can you explain the notice of intent to suspend the driver’s license after an OWI arrest?

A notice of intent to suspend is issued by police where there is a prohibited test result. The Department of Transportation is taking steps to suspend your license for six months. If you wish to contest this revocation, you only have 10 days from the date on the notice. It is crucial to act quickly.

How do you protect your driver’s license while fighting an OWI in Wisconsin?

Every case will be different, but if the notice of intent to suspend is issued, then you must file a request for an administrative review hearing. Our firm will do that for our clients when they hire us for OWI cases.

Will I lose my license if I refused the breath test?

You must request a refusal hearing within 10 days.

Can you explain what will happen at the OWI administrative hearing?

An administrative hearing is a brief hearing. It’s also limited by statute, meaning that it’s about 15 minutes. The arresting officer will often be in attendance, as will an administrator review examiner. The officer will be asked to provide the details of the arrest and the sobriety tests. Your attorney will then be allowed to argue why your license should not be suspended.

What happens if you are arrested for OWI and you’re under 21 years of age in Wisconsin?

Even if you are under the age of 21, your OWI case will be handled as if you were over 21. The system will not reduce the charges because you are young. It is very important to seek legal counsel if you are facing an OWI charge and you are under 21.