Being charged with an OWI arrest can be overwhelming. You’re not alone. The FBI estimates that over one million people are arrested each year under the suspicion of alcohol or narcotics impairment while driving. It is important to remain calm and use the following steps to assure the best outcome for your case.
1. Call an OWI Attorney
Find a local attorney who specializes in impaired driving cases. Your attorney will give you some quick advice and get you set-up for a consultation.
2. Record the Details
As soon as your mind is clear, record everything that you can remember about your arrest. Important details to recall include where you were before driving, how many drinks you had and what type of alcohol you consumed, why you were stopped or pulled over, the amount of time you were consuming alcohol, any blood or breathalyzer results, and any witnesses or passenger accounts.
3. Set Your Social Media Accounts to Private
Make sure to set all of your social media accounts to private. This will help prevent relatives, friends, and employers from finding out about your OWI arrest. This can also protect you from self-incrimination.
4. Request an administrative hearing to avoid driving suspension
In Wisconsin, you can request a review of your driver’s license suspension with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, but you must do so within 10 days. It is important to meet with/hire an attorney or submit the request yourself within 10 days of your arrest to avoid license consequences.
5. Be on time
Respect your attorney’s and the courts’ time. Your attorney may excuse slight tardiness, but arriving late to your court appointments can cause problems. However, it is better to arrive late than to miss altogether. If you arrive late, don’t panic. Call your attorney or the court clerk and inform them. If you completely miss your scheduled hearing, they may issue a warrant. Always keep in mind that clear communication is crucial to avoid more severe penalties.
Since 1883, the attorneys at Doar, Drill & Skow have represented families, individuals, and businesses across Wisconsin and Minnesota in areas of personal injury, criminal defense, family law and divorce, civil litigation, estate planning, trusts, workers compensation, and more. We are recognized as one of western Wisconsin’s most skilled and successful personal injury law firms and have built our reputation on what we achieve for our clients. We are committed to being your advocate, regardless of your circumstances.
DISCLAIMER: The Doar, Drill, and Skow blog is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended as legal or medical advice. References to laws are based on general legal practices and vary by location. Information reported may come from secondary news sources. We do handle these types of cases, but whether or not the individuals and/or loved ones involved in these types of situations choose to be represented by a law firm is a personal choice we respect. Should you find any of the information incorrect, we welcome you to contact us with corrections.