If you are facing a drunk driving charge in Wisconsin (either an OWI or a PAC), it is critical to ensure that you are making informed decisions about your defense. This includes making informed decisions about your legal representation. While it is expected to have concerns about the costs of hiring a lawyer, the reality is that it can be far more costly to try to handle your OWI or PAC case on your own.
For several reasons, putting an experienced OWI/PAC lawyer on your side makes financial sense. There are many other reasons to hire a professional lawyer as well. As a result, trying to handle your case on your own isn’t worth it.
Why You Need Experienced Legal Representation for Your Wisconsin OWI or PAC
Why shouldn’t you try to represent yourself in your Wisconsin OWI or PAC case?
Here are ten reasons (among many more) why you will want an experienced lawyer on your side:
1. You Are Facing Substantial Penalties
Under Wisconsin law, OWI and PAC charges both carry substantial penalties. Regardless of your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) and your prior record (if any), a conviction could lead to fines, surcharges, and loss of your driving privileges. If your BAC was 0.15% or above, or if you have a prior OWI or PAC conviction, you may also be required to install an ignition interlock device (at your expense) if you get convicted.
2. OWI and PAC Convictions Have Other Consequences As Well
Along with Wisconsin’s statutory penalties for OWI and PAC charges, convictions can also have other consequences. These include increased auto insurance premiums, loss of job opportunities, academic outcomes, professional consequences, and immigration consequences—among others. As a result, for many people, the costs of an OWI or PAC conviction far surpass the fines and surcharges they incur in court.
3. No One Else is On Your Side
If you don’t hire a lawyer, no one involved in your OWI or PAC case will be on your side. The prosecutor’s job is to convict you, and the judge’s job is to enforce the law. If the prosecutor presents evidence that warrants a conviction—and if you don’t do anything to challenge it—the judge will have no choice but to find you guilty of OWI or PAC.
4. An OWI or PAC Conviction is a Very Real Possibility
To be abundantly clear, an OWI or PAC conviction is a very real possibility regardless of the facts of your case. If you do not defend yourself successfully, you will almost certainly face the life-altering consequences of a drunk driving conviction.
5. You May Have Several Defenses, and It is Critical to Choose the Right One(s)
While a conviction is a very real risk, there are also several ways to defend against OWI and PAC charges under Wisconsin law. The key is to choose and present the right defense (or defenses) based on the facts of your case. Keep in mind that asserting one defense might not be enough. For example, even if your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) reading is unreliable, the prosecutor may still be able to use other evidence to convict you.
6. Fighting Your OWI or PAC in Court May Not Be Your Only (or Best) Option
Another important fact to remember is that fighting your OWI or PAC in court may not be your only (or best) option. For example, if prosecutors have the evidence they need to convict you, your best approach may be to seek a plea bargain that minimizes the consequences of your arrest.
7. You Need to Protect Your Right to Appeal
Protecting your right to appeal will be critical if you decide to take your drunk driving case to trial. Several issues can justify appeals—and if you get convicted, filing an appeal could be the next step. But, if you don’t protect your right to appeal during your OWI or PAC trial, you can lose it.
8. Mistakes and Assumptions Can Prove Very Costly
In addition to failing to protect your right to appeal, many other mistakes can prove very costly when you are facing an OWI or PAC charge in Wisconsin. Assumptions can prove extremely costly as well. To avoid making these mistakes and assumptions, you will need an experienced Wisconsin OWI/PAC lawyer on your side.
9. Successfully Defending Against an OWI or PAC Charge is Not Easy
If it’s not abundantly clear, successfully defending against an OWI or PAC charge in Wisconsin is not easy. Regardless of the facts of your case, if you are not extremely careful, there is an excellent chance that you will end up facing unnecessary consequences.
10. Successfully Defending Against an OWI or PAC Charge is Extremely Important
While successfully defending against an OWI or PAC charge is not easy, it is imperative. From the court-imposed penalties to the collateral consequences of having an OWI or PAC on your record, a conviction can impact your life for years to come. You owe it to yourself to avoid these consequences if possible, and, at this stage, hiring an experienced lawyer is the most cost-effective option.
Schedule a Free, No-Obligation Consultation with a Wisconsin OWI/PAC Lawyer Today
We invite you to contact us if you would like more information about hiring a lawyer to fight your OWI or PAC charge in Wisconsin. Call 608-291-7609 or contact us online for a free, no-obligation consultation.