Wisconsin DUI Law Blog

While having to install and use an ignition interlock device can be a daunting experience, for many, it is an unfortunate reality. The penalties for refusing to comply with similar obligations can be severe and may only add to the severity of a successive conviction for drunk driving. A 58-year-old man was recently taken into custody and accused of a seventh drunk driving offense after police say he was pulled over for speeding in Wisconsin.

Law enforcement agents say the incident took place on a recent Saturday when officers encountered a vehicle that was traveling above the speed limit and initiated a routine traffic stop. During the stop, police claim that a subsequent records check indicated the man was operating on an occupational license that only allowed him to drive between certain hours. They also assert that these records indicated that he was required to use an ignition interlock device due to previous drunk driving convictions.

There are a variety of scenarios in which a routine traffic stop may occur, some of which might not always include an apparent traffic violation. For instance, authorities may choose to initiate a stop should they learn that a driver is operating a vehicle without a valid license. A traffic stop that took place under similar circumstances in Wisconsin has left a 48-year-old man facing drunk driving charges.

The incident reportedly began just before 7 a.m. on a recent Thursday when an officer noticed a vehicle in a nearby parking lot and decided to run its license plate. After claiming to have learned that the driver was operating the vehicle with a revoked license, the officer waited for him to pull out of the lot and then initiated a traffic stop shortly thereafter. Upon approaching the vehicle, police claim the man had a container of alcohol in his hand.

In some cases, it may take little more than the words of another party to prompt an investigation, and such an event could leave a person facing criminal charges. Should witnesses claim that an individual drove away from a bar while impaired after causing a dispute, authorities are obligated to further investigate the situation. A recent incident that took place under similar circumstances in Wisconsin has left a 62-year-old man facing drunk driving charges.

Law enforcement agents claim the incident began just after midnight on a recent Monday when they received reports of an altercation at a local bar. According to reports, witnesses told police that a man had tried to start a fight at the bar and then proceeded to drive away from the scene. The authorities claim to have located the vehicle in question parked outside another establishment soon thereafter, along with a man who allegedly matched the description given by witnesses.

When it comes to being accused of a crime, the average person may lack the necessary legal experience to know how best to handle the situation. For instance, each individual has rights that must be upheld during a routine traffic stop, and a stop cannot be initiated without reasonable cause. A judge recently found that law enforcement agents didn't have just cause to initiate a stop that led to drunk driving charges for a Wisconsin man, and the charges against him were vacated in the process.

The incident reportedly stemmed from an investigation into another matter entirely. According to reports, police had pulled over another vehicle for unknown reasons, and they were attempting to locate an individual who had fled the scene on foot. While searching for this person, an officer came upon a separate vehicle, and after watching the driver make a sudden change in direction, the officer deemed the action as suspicious and initiated a traffic stop.