what is an owi charge

OWI stands for Operating While Intoxicated or Operating While Impaired. It is an acronym used in reference to drunk driving, and it is used in some states, including Wisconsin, Michigan, Iowa, and Indiana, to describe the crime of drunk driving instead of the more common DUI terminology. While there are slight differences in definition between the two, most states use one or the other, but not both in defining their drunk driving laws. In Iowa, for instance, it is illegal to drive while under the influence, but it is also illegal to operate a motor vehicle with its engine running, regardless of motion. An intoxicated person sitting behind the wheel of a car with the engine running may be charged with an OWI, even if they never move the vehicle. The penalties for OWI vs. DUI are typically the same, and the specific consequences you will face are determined based on factors such as whether you have had any prior convictions for a drunk driving offense as well as how high your blood alcohol concentration was at the time of your arrest.