Sentencing Guidelines

Wisconsin Sentencing Guidelines are a series of basic guiding principles for courts to deliberate on while handing out a sentence on a person convicted of a crime. The use or non-use of these sentencing guidelines has not affect on a person´s appeal. Under Wis. Stat. 346.65(2m), all judicial districts in Wisconsin are required to enact basic sentencing guidelines for judges to abide by when sentencing a defendant convicted for drunk driving by the state of Wisconsin.

First Drunk Driving Offense:
A person´s first drunk driving conviction under Wisconsin law could bring in a fine from 150 dollars to 300 dollars and a 355 dollar surcharge. It includes a suspension or revocation of their license that could vary from 6 months to 9 months. An occupational license is typically obtainable unless the driver has a CDL-(Commercial Driver´s License).

Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth Drunk Driving:
As OWI convictions raise, the consequence rise as well. Fines can range from 600 dollars to 10,000 dollars and a 355 dollar surcharge, with potential jail time which could be six months to six years.

The Noncriminal and Criminal side of Drunk Driving
The first time you get arrested for drunk driving, a first offense drunk driving charge is a noncriminal offense. The charge is officially recorded and put on the website where anyone can see it, and the Department of Transportation permanently retains the record. A second through fourth offense for drunk driving is a misdemeanor, while the fifth or any more drunk driving charges are felonies.