If you face an Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) charge in Wisconsin, you may wonder how long it will stay on your record. The length of time it affects you depends on your case, but in general, an OWI conviction stays on your driving record for a long time.
OWI conviction and its impact on your record
In Wisconsin, an OWI conviction remains on your driving record permanently. Even if you get convicted of a first offense, the record of the incident stays. However, if several years pass without further violations, the penalties associated with the conviction might decrease. Still, the conviction itself will not disappear.
Length of time for driver’s license points
Your driver’s license points also factor into how long the OWI affects you. A first-offense OWI in Wisconsin carries six demerit points, which stay on your record for five years. After that, these points no longer count toward your driver’s license status, but the conviction remains. Multiple offenses will result in accumulated penalties and points, possibly leading to longer license suspensions.
Impact on future offenses
An OWI conviction also impacts any future charges. If you face a second or third OWI conviction, the penalties increase. A second OWI within 10 years leads to steeper fines, a longer license suspension, and mandatory alcohol treatment programs. If you get a second conviction, the court may classify it as a criminal charge, and you may face jail time.
Clearing an OWI from your record
Though you cannot remove an OWI conviction from your record in Wisconsin, you can take steps to reduce its consequences. Completing programs, such as alcohol assessments or treatment, might help mitigate some penalties.
Knowing how long an OWI stays on your record can help you prepare for the future. Stay informed about how this conviction could affect your life moving forward.
