Category: Drunk Driving

How do law enforcement personnel administer the horizontal gaze nystagmus test? The NHTSA requires that the law enforcement administer the HGN test in a specific manner.  They break the test down into nine parts: Firstly, check for eyeglasses.  The officer instructs a drive who wears glasses to remove them.  Sometimes law enforcement will even ask…

DUI accidents with injuries vs. without injuries Importantly, there isn’t any difference in penalties for the individual facing an OWI charge, and the individual facing an OWI charge after an accident that didn’t cause any injuries.  When an injury or death occurs, the penalties increase. DUI accidents with injuries If the defendant has no prior…

Drunk driving homicide penalties change A new law was enacted in Wisconsin that changes the sentencing structure for drunk driving homicides.  Signed into law by Governor Tony Evers on November 20, 2019, the bill created a presumptive minimum penalty for all drunk driving homicides.  This post will explain the new law, how it changes the…

What are the penalties? The State of Wisconsin determined that individuals with commercial driver licenses must abide by stricter safety standards.  Importantly, CDLs are required to operate vehicles over 26,000 pounds, vehicles carrying hazardous materials, and vehicles that transport more than 16 passengers.  Certainly, truck drivers, bus drivers, and other professional large vehicle operators all…

There’s an injury.  What now? Section 30.681(2) of the Wisconsin Statutes prohibits causing injury while under the influence of an intoxicant: No person while under the influence of an intoxicant to a degree which renders him or her incapable of safe motorboat operation may cause injury to another person by the operation of a motorboat….

If you have been arrested for Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) for the first time, you may be curious as to just how much trouble you are really in. It’s possible that you know someone (or even multiple people) who have gotten an OWI and seem to have come out on the other side relatively unscathed….

What strategies do we use to successfully defend drunk driving charges? At Van Severen Law Office we focus on defending individuals accused of committing drunk driving and criminal offenses.  While every case is different, in order to beat an OWI charge in Wisconsin, there are certain common issues we look for.  If you’re looking to…