If you hold an Illinois driver’s license and are charged with an OWI in Wisconsin, the penalties can be more complicated than you might expect. Even if Wisconsin treats a first offense OWI as a non-criminal case, Illinois may view the conviction differently. A Wisconsin OWI will be reported to the Illinois Secretary of State, which can lead to license revocation, suspension, or restrictions in Illinois.
Some consequences Illinois drivers may face include:
One-year license revocation for a first DUI offense
Delays in obtaining an occupational driver’s license or restricted driving permit
Mandatory fees, classes, and potential court supervision
Additional penalties if a refusal to take a chemical test occurs
Bayer Law is experienced in defending Illinois drivers charged with OWIs in Wisconsin. We work on your case from start to finish, making sure every detail is reviewed. A strong defense may include:
Collecting all police reports, chemical test results, and related records
Reviewing video and photographic evidence tied to your case
Investigating whether the officer had proper probable cause for the traffic stop
Confirming proper procedure during the arrest and chemical testing
Ensuring evidence was handled, stored, and analyzed correctly
Representing you at all court hearings, motions, and trials
These steps help ensure your rights are protected and can make a real difference in the outcome of your case.
It is helpful to know the differences between OWI charges in the two states:
Wisconsin may not offer plea deals for first offense OWIs, while Illinois often allows court supervision or reduced charges
A refusal in Wisconsin results in a one-year suspension and shows up on your Illinois record as “Out of State Refusal Suspension”
Illinois treats first offense OWIs more seriously than Wisconsin in terms of revocation length and reinstatement process
Even if Wisconsin penalties seem lighter, Illinois drivers face stricter consequences once the offense is reported back to their home state.
Illinois drivers who refused a chemical test in Wisconsin still have options. Plea agreements may help reduce the penalties associated with a refusal, including:
Negotiating a plea to have the OWI dropped in exchange for a guilty plea to the refusal
Understanding fees and timelines for reinstating your license after the suspension period
Managing how the refusal appears on your Illinois driving record
Bayer Law is experienced in helping Illinois drivers navigate these options, ensuring they understand how a Wisconsin refusal affects their Illinois license and driving privileges.
Even a first OWI offense or refusal can have long-term effects on your ability to drive in Illinois. Bayer Law helps clients with:
Applying for an occupational driver’s license or restricted driving permit in Illinois
Navigating the Illinois Secretary of State’s requirements for reinstatement
Minimizing delays and avoiding unnecessary suspension time
Our goal is to guide you through the legal process and keep you on the road safely and legally.
If you are an Illinois driver charged with an OWI in Wisconsin, call Bayer Law at (414)-939-9650 today! We can review your case, explain your options, and start building a defense tailored to your situation. Protecting your license and your driving privileges is important, and Bayer Law is here to help every step of the way.
If you hold an Illinois driver’s license and are charged with an OWI in Wisconsin, the penalties can be more complicated than you might expect. Even if Wisconsin treats a first offense OWI as a non-criminal case, Illinois may view the conviction differently. A Wisconsin OWI will be reported to the Illinois Secretary of State, which can lead to license revocation, suspension, or restrictions in Illinois.
Some consequences Illinois drivers may face include:
One-year license revocation for a first DUI offense
Delays in obtaining an occupational driver’s license or restricted driving permit
Mandatory fees, classes, and potential court supervision
Additional penalties if a refusal to take a chemical test occurs
Bayer Law is experienced in defending Illinois drivers charged with OWIs in Wisconsin. We work on your case from start to finish, making sure every detail is reviewed. A strong defense may include:
Collecting all police reports, chemical test results, and related records
Reviewing video and photographic evidence tied to your case
Investigating whether the officer had proper probable cause for the traffic stop
Confirming proper procedure during the arrest and chemical testing
Ensuring evidence was handled, stored, and analyzed correctly
Representing you at all court hearings, motions, and trials
These steps help ensure your rights are protected and can make a real difference in the outcome of your case.
It is helpful to know the differences between OWI charges in the two states:
Wisconsin may not offer plea deals for first offense OWIs, while Illinois often allows court supervision or reduced charges
A refusal in Wisconsin results in a one-year suspension and shows up on your Illinois record as “Out of State Refusal Suspension”
Illinois treats first offense OWIs more seriously than Wisconsin in terms of revocation length and reinstatement process
Even if Wisconsin penalties seem lighter, Illinois drivers face stricter consequences once the offense is reported back to their home state.
Illinois drivers who refused a chemical test in Wisconsin still have options. Plea agreements may help reduce the penalties associated with a refusal, including:
Negotiating a plea to have the OWI dropped in exchange for a guilty plea to the refusal
Understanding fees and timelines for reinstating your license after the suspension period
Managing how the refusal appears on your Illinois driving record
Bayer Law is experienced in helping Illinois drivers navigate these options, ensuring they understand how a Wisconsin refusal affects their Illinois license and driving privileges.
Even a first OWI offense or refusal can have long-term effects on your ability to drive in Illinois. Bayer Law helps clients with:
Applying for an occupational driver’s license or restricted driving permit in Illinois
Navigating the Illinois Secretary of State’s requirements for reinstatement
Minimizing delays and avoiding unnecessary suspension time
Our goal is to guide you through the legal process and keep you on the road safely and legally.
If you are an Illinois driver charged with an OWI in Wisconsin, call Bayer Law at (414)-939-9650 today! We can review your case, explain your options, and start building a defense tailored to your situation. Protecting your license and your driving privileges is important, and Bayer Law is here to help every step of the way.
"I was stopped for 20 over in a 30mph zone - a 6 point $149ticket. Attorney John Bayer had an affordable price and guaranteed that he could get it reduced to a 2 point defective speedometer ticket. All it took was a 5 minute phone call conversation to finalize things. He was able to attend court for me and he was able to get my ticket reduced to a 2 point parking violation. John is very friendly and made this process as easy as possible. I am beyond grateful for the outcome and I will be recommending him to everyone I know in the future."
"I was facing a fair amount of time as a guest of the state at the graybar hotel. Atty Bayer fought the good fight for me. He found a potential loophole in the law that he felt could get the charge against me dropped. The judge did not interpret the law the way Atty Bayer did, so unfortunately I lost the case. But because of the fight Atty Bayer put up, combined with other contributing factors of my case, I only got 1 year as a guest of the state. Not bad for a 6th offense, in Milwaukee county. I swear by Atty Bayer. He is a great attorney, & a really compassionate & kind man."
"Honestly one of he easiest interactions I’ve ever had with a lawyer. They stepped up handled my speeding tickets and anxiety about it no problem. Everything was handled in one call, they updated me through the whole process. Make them your first call for any kind of traffic trouble."
When confronted with an OWI charge or criminal charges, the situation can feel daunting and overwhelming. We are here to help you shape your path to a better outcome.
