Maybe you have a few social drinks after work with friends, or maybe a beer or two before heading to a party. After drinking what seems like a small amount, many individuals still feel competent to drive. But while that may be the feeling, there is no denying that sometimes the decision to drive results in the surprising revelation that a person’s blood-alcohol content may have been over .08 percent.
In Wisconsin, an individual whose blood-alcohol concentration is above that limit will be considered legally intoxicated for purposes of driving. People who are accused of OWI could face harsh penalties, including fines, revocation of a driver’s license, jail time and insurance increases.
One Germantown man knows of these penalties too well, as he was recently charged with OWI for the sixth time.
The criminal complaint alleges that a Waukesha police officer noticed a car that seemed to be accelerating excessively. The complaint also claims that the suspect ran a red light, and once the officer turned on his emergency lights, the man suddenly stopped his car in the middle of the street.
Field sobriety tests were apparently given, and the officer asserted that the man failed the tests. At some point, his blood-alcohol was shown to be .24 percent, though it remains to be seen whether that test was calibrated properly prior to being administered.
The suspect was arrested and charged with one count of sixth-offense OWI. Should he be convicted, he could face $10,000 in fines and six years in prison. Before this happens, however, the suspect should look into whether the blood-alcohol tests were administered correctly. After all, these tests are not always accurate. Beyond that, the suspect will need a strong drunk driving defense to protect his wallet and his freedom.
Source: Waukesha Patch, “Man charged With 6th OWI in Waukesha,” Joe Petrie, June 20, 2012