Ignition Interlock Device
Most Wisconsin OWI convictions will carry an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) requirement. If the court orders an IID, you will be required to install it in any vehicle that you own, any vehicle that is registered to you and any vehicle that you are driving. You will not be able to get any kind of driver’s license, regular or occupational, until the Department of Transportation is satisfied that all of your vehicles have been equipped with the device. The duration of the order is 1 year, or perhaps more, from the date that you get a driver’s license with the IID restriction.
The IID requirements pose a number of challenges for those affected. Most significantly, if your job requires you to drive a company vehicle, you may lose the job because most employers will not allow the IID to be installed and their insurance carries won’t continue to insure those drivers. The requirement causes many people to lose their jobs. If a person drives with clients or other business associates, the IID can be an embarrassment.
The Ignition Interlock Device costs roughly $1200/yr. It is expensive enough to install it in one vehicle. If you have multiple vehicles, and most people do, the expense can be unmanageable. Also, if others operate those same vehicles, they won’t be particularly pleased with having to hassle with the device.
Many people seem to have difficulty getting the device to operate smoothly once it is installed, particularly women. Many complain that they simply cannot blow hard enough into the device enabling them to start their car. This complaint diminishes over time once the person gets accustomed to using it.
If you have multiple vehicles, you can ask the court to exempt some of them from the IID requirement. Some judges are reluctant to sign off on the exemptions while others will do it without much of an inquiry.
There are several providers that will install the Interlock Ignition Device if the court orders you to have one installed. You can get more detailed information about cost from their websites.
If you receive a citation for OWI, contact Racine attorney Robert W. Keller for a free consultation. Often, the IID requirement can be avoided for first-time offenders. Avoiding this penalty alone can be well worth the price that is paid for a good lawyer.
Contact Robert W. Keller for a Free Consultation
Mr. Keller helped me get a 15 day sentence for my second OWI with a .21 BAC. After serving 48 hrs, I was released for the remainder of the sentence on the electronic monitoring program. Needless to say, I was very fortunate to have Mr. Keller as my attorney. He told me exactly what to expect and helped me prepare for sentencing, which explains the relatively short sentence.
Robert Keller is an excellent, intelligent, lawyer who fought on my behalf and was very professional. He is at your service and will answer all questions and was confident and honest with what he felt the outcome would be. I wouldn’t suggest anyone else.
Robert Keller truly is a trustworthy lawyer in the Racine area. He is well respected in the courtroom and does a fantastic job throughtout the whole courtroom process. There is not enough I can say to anyone in need of a great counselor other than Robert Keller is the lawyer I would turn to.