A man in Wisconsin has been accused of operating while visibly impaired, or OWI, after police officers found him asleep in the front seat of his vehicle. An anonymous caller informed the police that they had seen the man making dangerous turns and crossing the center line while driving on the highway. When police responded to the call, they found the man parked in a public parking lot.
According to police, the man was passed out with his foot still on the brake. The car was still running and in the “drive” position. The police officers woke the man, which caused him take his foot off the brake. The car immediately lurched forward, so the man parked the vehicle and rolled down the driver’s seat window.
The police officers reportedly noted the smell of alcohol. They say the man admitted that he had been drinking and submitted to a sobriety test. The test revealed that he had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.16, which is well beyond the legal limit. Police arrested the man and charged him with an OWI as well as possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. His court date has not yet been scheduled.
When police reviewed the records, they saw that the man had already been convicted of two OWIs, including one back in 2012. The man had received jail time and had been required to install an interlock device on his vehicle for 14 months.
What should you do if you’re charged with an OWI?
Maybe you had a few drinks at dinner, got in your vehicle and were pulled over for suspected drunk driving. After you failed the sobriety test, the police brought you in and charged you with OWI or DUI. Now, you might be looking at massive fines, months of jail time or a suspended license.
When you’re in a situation like this, a criminal defense attorney might be able to help you get your life back on track. Your attorney may examine the prosecution and ensure that your rights were protected. If they were not, your attorney may be able to argue for reduced or dismissed charges.
