Update On DUI Law Change

Here is a local accounting of the new laws about to be put into effect:

www.postcrescent.com/article/20091223/APC0101/912230526/1979/Wisconsin-toughens-drunk-driving-law

DUI, OWI Laws are changing

Looks like drunk driving laws are changing again. 1st offense may become criminal if a 16yo or younger person is in the vehicle and 4th offenses may become felonies if the 3rd is within 5 years of the new one.

Think Before You Drive

Many times a person will be over the legal limit and not feel the effects of alcohol. Before you leave the bar or establishment where you've been drinking, please reconsider whether you should drive. After all, a taxi cab is cheaper than a conviction for drunk driving.

Don't let this be you:

If that option is too late, please call us before you lose your rights. After all, many times you only have 10 days from the time of the incident to request the proper hearing or risk your licence being taken away either by the DOT/DMV administratively or by the court at the first hearing.

Pitsch Law Offices, LLC - "We know what to do and we can help you!"

Please call us immediately at: (920) 380-0971

We service the greater Fox Valley Region & North Eastern Wisconin area, including its surrounding communities. We are conveniently located down town Appleton.

www.pitschlaw.com

Drunk Driving Informational Video

Estimate Your Blood Alcohol Percentage (BAC)

Estimated BAC for MEN:

Drinks per Hour by Body weight in Pounds

0 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 230 240
1 0.03 .03 .02 .02 .02 .02 .02 .02 .02 .02 .02
2 0.05 .05 .05 .05 .04 .04 .04 .03 .03 .03 .03
3 0.08 .08 .07 .07 .06 .06 .06 .05 .05 .05 .05
4 0.11 .10 .09 .09 .08 .08 .08 .07 .07 .07 .06
5 0.13 .13 .12 .11 .10 .10 .09 .09 .09 .08 .08
6 0.16 .15 .14 .13 .13 .12 .11 .11 .10 .10 .09
7 0.19 .18 .16 .16 .15 .14 .13 .13 .12 .12 .11
8 0.21 .20 .19 .18 .17 .16 .15 .14 .14 .13 .13
9 0.24 .23 .21 .20 .19 .18 .17 .16 .15 .15 .14
10 0.27 .25 .23 .22 .21 .20 .19 .18 .17 .16 .16


Estimated BAC for WOMEN:

Drinks per Hour by Body weight in Pounds

0 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200
1 0.05 .05 .05 .04 .04 .03 .03 .03 .03 .03 .03 .02
2 0.10 .09 .09 .08 .08 .07 .07 .06 .06 .05 .05 .04
3 0.15 .14 .13 .11 .11 .10 .10 .09 .09 .08 .08 .07
4 0.20 .18 .17 .15 .14 .13 .12 .11 .11 .10 .10 .09
5 0.25 .23 .21 .19 .17 .16 .15 .14 .14 .13 .12 .11
6 0.30 .27 .25 .23 .21 .19 .18 .17 .16 .15 .15 .14
7 0.35 .32 .30 .27 .25 .23 .22 .20 .19 .18 .17 .16
8 0.40 .36 .33 .30 .28 .26 .25 .23 .22 .20 .19 .18
9 0.45 .41 .37 .34 .31 .29 .28 .26 .25 .23 .22 .20
10 0.51 .45 .42 .38 .35 .32 .30 .28 .27 .25 .24 .21

One drink approximately equals a 12 oz. beer, 1.25 oz of 80 proof liquor or 5 oz of wine

Keep in mind that you burn off alcohol at approximately a .015% per hour.

So, a 190 pound man having 8 drinks in 4 hours would roughly have a BAC of 0.1%.
* Example: ((190lb man w/8 drinks in an hour (0.16%)) - (reduction over a 4 hr time span (0.15x4))) = 0.1% BAC, which is over the legal limit of 0.08% in Wisconsin.

The average male will eliminate about 2/3 of a drink per hour, while the average woman will eliminate about 1/2 of a drink per hour.

There are several factors that go into "intoxication, " such as tolerance or sensitivity, mixing with prescription medication, etc. So, you should not use these tables to determine anyone's fitness to drive. Purchasing a BAC meter, which are available at stores or online do not accurately detemine "fitness" to drive either. If you drink you should not drive; consider a designated driver or taxi cab instead!

Informing the Accused

Another victory for the little guy....Prosecutor puts on his case-in-chief, has the officer and a witness testify, says client failed all field sobriety tests and was intoxicated. Witness testifies that he saw client driving, despite being the middle of the night at winter while being 75 feet away with lights shining in his eyes. Officers report states he read the Informing the Accused to client, but failed to testify to that fact at trial. Prosecutor closed his case-in-chief and attempted to submit the blood test results. I objected, stating no foundation, prejudice to client, and violation of his statutory and Constitutional rights because officer never testified that he read the Informing the Accused to my client, prosecutor never questioned officer about this at trial and never submitted that form into the trial record. Jury came back finding client guilty. But, the judge agreed with me and dismissed the case with prejudice, stating that my client's rights were violated.

We, as attorneys, have the duty to defend our clients and legitimize the legal process so that people's rights remain intact and so that innocent people's rights are not violated! I take that duty seriously!