Wi misdemeanor charges
criminal defense attorney Wisconsin Jul 24, 2026
Hopefully I can ask this - location: in SE Wisconsin. My boyfriend got himself into some trouble this past weekend after golf. He was pulled over for speeding while passing someone who sped up as he was trying to pass, 74 mph in a 55. He had just finished a morning of golf. They had a special for 5 beers for $20 on the 13th hole so he bought them. About an hour later, he headed home. Came up on someone who was doing 45 in a 55. Went to pass them in a passing zone and they sped up as he was trying to pass so he hammered on it. Cop came over the hill and clocked him doing 74 in a 55. My bf saw the cop turn around quickly and he pulled over before the lights even came on. Cop came up to the passenger window and said he smelt alcohol and asked if he had been drinking - my boyfriend said yes and admitted to having 4 beers. He really screwed himself by having the 5th beer undrank but open in the side of the door. He also had his handgun in the side of the door without a concealed carry permit, and again he told the cop that he had it, where it was etc, the cop had him step out of the vehicle. Asked to breathalyze him. My bf agreed and blew a .071, and then 4 minutes later per the sheet blew a .06. The cop asked if he had eaten at all. He said no - he usually only eats dinner. Cop asked to do the field sobriety test. He passed everything except when it came to standing on one leg for a minute with his foot 6 inches off the ground. He tried to explain to the cop it may be hard for him to do as he has bad knees and hips. (physical disability from the marine corps - va papers to prove it). The cop still had him do it and then when he wobbled, he was arrested and taken to the county jail. I picked him up. From the time he was pulled over to the time I got to the jail to pick him up when he was released was 2 hours and 7 minutes. He said when he got to the jail, other police officers were questioning the arresting officer if he was sure my bf was drunk. He was not slurring speech, no bloodshot eyes, etc. they told him had he eaten he wouldn’t be in the situation he was in. He had court today. The judge entered him into a not guilty plea deal and advised he get a lawyer, he is being quoted 15k average for a lawyer. His next court date is 9/14.. he is being charged with two misdemeanors (a) and a first offense OWI. He was not intoxicated. He was a heavy drinker in the marine corps and swore he would never drink like that again. He very rarely drinks now. He is Owning up to everything that he messed up having his pistol in his side door instead of out in the open since he does not have his concealed carry & having an open beer in the car. This is the first thing on his record - never had any type of ticket before this.. just looking realistically what the best possible outcome for this would be? Lawyers are expensive. He makes too much for a public defender.. we do not want him To have to do jail time as we have a 2 year old and a baby on the way. He really is responsible he just messed up. Very stressful situation he got himself into.. His misdemeanor charges are: 941.23(2) & 941.20(1)(b) (criminal charges) Other charges; 346.935(2) 346.57(4)(h) 346.63(1)(a) (owi, speeding & open intoxication)
