If you have recently been charged with operating while intoxicated (OWI) after being involved in an accident that resulted in another’s death, you must immediately contact a Wisconsin defense attorney to begin fighting your OWI vehicular homicide offense. Being convicted of this crime could result in significant prison time, in addition to the loss of several rights you currently hold as a U.S. citizen. Having an OWI lawyer on your side ensures that your best interests are protected at this critical time.
The sentence for a vehicular homicide while OWI may depend on the number of prior conviction on your record. If this is your first offense, you may be charged with a Class D felony. This offense is punishable by up to 25 years in prison and up to $100,000 in fines.
The penalties for a second or subsequent OWI vehicular homicide offense are much more severe. As a Class C felony, those convicted of an additional homicide offense could be sentenced to up to 40 years in prison and up to $100,000 in fines.
In addition to these criminal penalties, you could face consequences in your personal life. With a felony conviction on your record, you may be denied employment or even housing. You can also be prohibited from owning a gun or even voting.
With so much at stake, fighting your OWI vehicular homicide charge is extremely important. The first thing an attorney may do is contact an accident reconstruction specialist. This expert will return to the scene of the accident to collect evidence as well as interview witnesses and evaluate the vehicles involved in the collision in order to determine the events that led to the accident. If the specialist finds that you were not responsible for the vehicle collision or discovers factors that minimize your culpability, this could help your case when negotiating a plea deal or fighting your charges at trial.
Your attorney can also work with an expert in breath or blood tests to determine if there were any errors that could have resulted in an inaccurate blood alcohol content (BAC) result. If your defense lawyer can prove that you were not legally intoxicated when the accident occurred, this could help to disprove the prosecution’s case against you.
At Tracey Wood & Associates, our legal team is dedicated to defending clients accused of OWI. Thanks to our decades of experience, we have the knowledge and training necessary to investigate your case and prepare an appropriate defense strategy.
Don’t face an OWI vehicular homicide on your own. Learn how an attorney can help by completing our online form now to schedule an analysis of your case.
Call 1-888-597-3622 or Schedule a Free Case Evaluation Online