Those facing a first drunk driving charge, or multiple drunk driving charges, require a strong defense in response to serious criminal charges.
A man was recently arrested for his seventh drunk driving charge in a Wisconsin community west of Sheboygan. According to police, the man drove without a valid driver's license while intoxicated. He was ordered held on $1,500 cash bail, ordered to remain sober and ordered not to drive his vehicle at all. According to records, the man's license was revoked in 2009. The man allegedly failed field sobriety tests and had a blood alcohol content level of 0.142 according to a preliminary breathalyzer test.
The accused man is facing at least three years in prison if convicted of his seventh drunk driving charge and is also facing a misdemeanor operating after revocation charge. As a repeat offender, his sentence maximum could be increased by six years if he is convicted of both charges. The potential consequences of drunk driving charges can be serious and can result in license suspension, fines, jail sentences and other penalties, including a prison sentence.
In addition, multiple convictions for DUI offenses can lead to felony DUI charges. While all drunk driving charges, including the first DUI charge, are serious, felony DUI charges can lead to a prison sentence. Felony criminal charges are typically defined as punishable with more than one year in prison. As a rule, the fourth DUI an individual receives within five years of the third DUI conviction becomes a felony which carries a potential prison sentence.
Whether an individual is facing a first DUI offense or multiple drunk driving convictions, the potential consequences for the accused party and the accused party's future are serious. An experienced criminal defense attorney with DUI experience can serve as an advocate for the accused party, developing a defense strategy that will allow the accused party to achieve the best outcome in the circumstances.
Source: Portage Daily Register, "Portage man arrested on 7th drunken driving charge," Shannon Green, Dec. 25, 2013