If you live in Wisconsin, you are likely aware that the state has some of the strictest drunk driving laws in the country. A driver convicted of operating while intoxicated (OWI) faces serious consequences, including license suspension, high fines, and even possible jail time, depending on their past driving/criminal record and circumstances of the arrest. If you have been charged with drunk driving, make sure you have a skilled defense attorney protecting your rights.

What Is the Legal Limit in Wisconsin?

Under Wisconsin law, a driver is considered legally intoxicated if their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is 0.08 percent or higher. The state also has a zero-tolerance policy for drivers under the age of 21. Any driver under 21 can be charged with OWI if they have a BAC of 0.02 percent or higher.

There are also different standards if you are a CDL holder. Wisconsin allows a 0.0 BAC percent for CDL holders. A conviction for a BAC of 0.04 percent can result in license suspension and more.

Illinois lawmakers are considering a new law that would change how law enforcement is allowed to handle traffic stops that involve the odor of marijuana. Although recreational marijuana was made legal in 2020, driving under the influence of the drug is still illegal and can result in criminal charges and license suspension.

Illinois Traffic Stops

There are a number of rights that protect people from overzealous law enforcement. When it comes to an officer pulling drivers over, the officer must have a legitimate reason for doing so. A driver can be stopped for breaking major infractions, such as speeding or reckless driving, but an officer can also stop a vehicle for what may appear to be minor infractions, such as having a broken brake or taillight. It is often stops for these minor infractions that result in DUI arrests.

The Fourth Amendment of the Constitution protects citizens from illegal searches and seizures. If an officer has pulled a driver over, they cannot just search the vehicle unless they have probable cause.

In 2015, Illinois passed a law that prohibited schools from using fines as a form of discipline for students. Unfortunately, school officials have worked around that law by reporting students directly to law enforcement, who then write out tickets to the referred students for violations such as littering, fighting, littering, possession of vaping devices, using offensive words, theft, and other violations.

Last year an investigation into the practice by the Chicago Tribune and ProPublica revealed just how rampant the practice is. That investigation has led makes to consider a bill that would amend that 2015 law to make it illegal for school officials to continue this practice. If passed, the proposed law would forbid schools from involving police for issues that can be addressed using the institution’s or district’s disciplinary process.

Being charged with any type of crime can have an impact on your life, but if you are convicted of a felony, the consequences can be far-reaching long after you have satisfied whatever penalty the court imposed. In addition to a prison sentence and/or probation, a felony conviction can affect your right to vote and even your right to travel. In some cases, you may not be able to obtain a passport if you have a felony conviction on your record.

What Crimes Disqualify You From Getting a Passport?

Felony criminal classification covers a wide array of crimes that often have a wide array of potential penalties upon conviction. Not all felony convictions will disqualify you from obtaining a passport. However, there are some that will make obtaining a passport very difficult, if not impossible. Both federal and state felony drug convictions that involve crossing international borders can disqualify you from getting a passport. Felony convictions of financial fraud or human trafficking will also disqualify you.

Other felony convictions that can result in disqualification include:

When some people hear that a crime is a misdemeanor, they automatically assume the crime is not a big deal. While it is true that the punishment for a misdemeanor is usually much less serious than for a felony, a single misdemeanor can still disrupt your entire life.

What is Happens With Probation

The maximum penalty for a misdemeanor is one year in jail. However, many people who are convicted of a misdemeanor will serve little, if any, jail time. Instead, most will be sentenced to a period of probation.