In Wisconsin, an individual whose blood-alcohol concentration is above 0.08 will be considered legally intoxicated for purposes of driving. When an individual is charged with an OWI or some other drunk driving offense, he or she is likely to face harsh penalties if convicted. These penalties may include fines, jail time, revocation of a driver’s license and insurance increases.
Unfortunately, one Milwaukee woman has had to confront with these penalties numerous times, as she was recently charged with OWI for the ninth time.
The criminal complaint alleges that a man called the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Department after witnessing the suspect drive out of her lane, strike a median, continue across a grassy area for 50 feet, travel across four lanes of traffic and eventually crash into construction barrels.
After this incident, the 28-year-old woman allegedly continued to drive north before she decided to exit the highway. While exiting, she is said to have struck another vehicle.
Officers arriving at the scene say that a man was helping the suspect when they arrived; evidently, she had sideswiped his car. The man reported that the suspect was drunk and that she had a child in the backseat of her vehicle. Eventually, the officers confirmed that the child belonged to the suspect.
She was arrested and given a blood test, though the results of any such test were not made public on a local news site. She is currently awaiting trial in the Milwaukee County Jail. Her bond was set at $30,000.
Being charged with repeat OWI is a serious situation that could carry harsh consequences. This young woman, if convicted, could be sentenced to 20 years in prison. Any Wisconsin resident who is facing a repeat drunk driving charge should do what is legally in their power to call the prosecution’s claims into question. With so much at stake, it is best to explore every option for a reduction of charges.
Source: Wauwatosa Patch, “Woman With Infant in Car Charged With Her 9th OWI,” Joe Petrie, July 18, 2012