Often, regardless of what the accusation is, a criminal conviction can have a significant impact on the rest of a person’s life. This is true even if the person never commits another crime again. Two lawmakers in Wisconsin have recently proposed a bill that could potentially limit the damage that a first-time drunk driving conviction could have if the person meets certain circumstances.
The proposed law would potentially allow first-time offenders to seek an expungement. If the bill passes, only those involved in incidents that did not injure someone and had a blood alcohol content less than .15 are eligible. Additionally, the person would have to have a device monitoring alcohol consumption or a ignition interlock device for six months.
Under the proposal, this first drunk driving conviction will count against future convictions even if expunged. The two state senators who proposed the bill are looking for co-sponsors. Currently, Wisconsin is the only state that treats at first-time drunk driving conviction as a civil offense. If the person’s blood alcohol content was higher than .15, the individual is required to enter a sobriety program or use an ignition interlock device for a year.
A person who has a drunk driving conviction on his or her record often suffers severe, life-long professional and personal ramifications. As such, those accused in Wisconsin often want to know of all their legal options before settling on a course of action to respond to the allegations against them. Fortunately, there are experienced legal professionals who can help them understand all aspects of their case, potentially including any potential legislation that could ultimately impact their situation if passed.
