Operating a vehicle while under the influence of an intoxicating substance is a serious offense in Wisconsin. In many cases, arrests for Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) occur because a person is suspected of drinking alcohol before getting behind the wheel. However, OWI charges may also apply if a person is accused of driving while under the influence of controlled substances or other drugs. If you have been arrested for operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs, it is important to understand the laws that apply to your case, the potential consequences you may face, and the steps you can take to protect your rights.
Wisconsin Law on Drug-Related OWI Charges
In Wisconsin, it is illegal to operate a vehicle while under the influence of an intoxicant. In addition to alcohol, intoxicants may include controlled substances such as marijuana, heroin, cocaine, methamphetamines, or prescription drugs such as opioids. A combination of multiple substances may also cause a person to become intoxicated. For example, a person may drink a small amount of alcohol that would not normally cause them to be intoxicated, but if they have also used prescription drugs, over-the-counter cold and flu medicines, or marijuana, the combination of these substances may cause a higher level of impairment than they would experience when using the individual substances on their own.
The legal limit for blood alcohol content (BAC) is 0.08 percent, which means that a person can usually have one or two drinks before they are considered to be intoxicated. However, any amount of a restricted controlled substance in a person's system can result in an OWI charge.
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