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.
However, officers assert that the vehicle the man was driving did not have the device installed. They also claim that the man refused to take part in field sobriety and breath tests and allegedly refused to submit to a blood test. After obtaining a warrant for a legal blood draw, police transported the man to a medical facility and then placed him under arrest on suspicion of driving while impaired.
The man is reportedly facing what would be his seventh drunk driving charge should a conviction be obtained. With the potential weight a conviction can have on one's future, those who face similar charges may find it advisable to seek legal counsel early in the process. An attorney can help a person in Wisconsin better understand the consequences he or she may face and assist in forming a strategy to pursue the most favorable outcome achievable during subsequent court proceedings.
