Countless individuals in Wisconsin and elsewhere have been pulled over for failing to wear a seat belt. Unfortunately, one thing can lead to another, and suddenly someone who was formerly facing a traffic violation can wind up in custody instead. A 69-year-old man was recently arrested under similar circumstances and is now facing drunk driving charges as a result.
An officer claims to have come upon the man on a recent Thursday while he was operating a vehicle without wearing his seat belt. After initiating a traffic stop and approaching the vehicle, the officer claims to have caught the scent of alcohol coming from within the vehicle. In addition, the officer asserts that there were numerous empty containers of alcohol scattered throughout the bed of the man's truck.
The man was arrested shortly after the traffic stop and charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated. According to reports, he has four previous convictions for OWI, and a fifth would carry severe penalties should he be convicted. Although the charges against him were provided, it is unclear whether field sobriety, breath and/or blood tests were conducted before or after his arrest.
When accused of drunk driving, each individual has rights that must be upheld throughout the process. Those who face similar charges often retain the services of an attorney in the early stages for advice on the best course of action to take moving forward, as well as assistance in ensuring their rights are protected. An attorney can inform a client in Wisconsin of the available options and his or her potential outcomes and assist in forming a strong defense for use during court proceedings.