Statewide OWI Crackdown Begins
In an effort to keep roadways safe, law enforcement across the state will begin cracking down on OWI. The “Drunk Driving. Over The Limit. Under Arrest.” program runs from August 20 through September 6. According to the Wasau Daily Herald, the program is targeted specifically at areas where accidents and drunk driving arrests are common.
Officials state that extra money won’t necessarily be spent on the additional enforcement but that other matters may be placed on a “back burner” so officers can make a concentrated effort at catching drunk drivers. Last year 238 people were killed in drunken driving accidents in the state and law enforcement would like to see that number lowered.
As of July 1 penalties for OWI got a little more severe. This is the first OWI campaign since the law changes took place, requiring more jail time on all OWIs and felony charges for a fourth or greater offense.
Also new on the books is the ignition interlock requirements for repeat offenders. An ignition interlock device is designed to prevent future drunk driving by requiring you to take a breath test before your car will start. Known for occasional false positives, these machines are being embraced across the country though their effectiveness is largely questioned.
It’s not unusual to have OWI campaigns like this one over holidays. Labor day is one of those that drinking is fairly common—a fact that police are not ignorant of. For this reason, it’s common for them to be hypersensitive about any driving behavior that could be construed as impaired when choosing who to pull over.
Typically a OWI charge is based on several pieces of evidence. Those may include your appearance, your driving, the scent of alcohol on your breath, your inability to pass a field sobriety test, or a failed breath test. One of these factors may not be enough to get a conviction. But when used together they can create a solid case against you.
This doesn’t mean that an OWI case with a failed breath test can’t be overcome—It can. However, a consultation with a defense attorney is necessary to determine just how to go about challenging the evidence against you to get the best result.
If you are facing OWI charges and aren’t sure what to do next—contact me. I will give you some valuable free legal advice and we can discuss the different options available to you.
[...] As as the money arrives at local police departments, the press releases are flying from Rhode Island to Wisconsin. [...]