Jury Finds Minong Man Guilty of 4th Offense OWI

WASHBURN COUNTY, Wis. -- A Minong, WI man was found guilty of 4^th offense Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) on May 31, 2017, in Washburn County Circuit Court.

According to the criminal complaint, Michael Matousek of Minong, WI was stopped by a Village of Minong Police Officer on July 25, 2016, for speeding. Matousek was reportedly traveling 45 miles per hour (mph) in a 30 mph zone.

When the officer made contact with the driver of the vehicle, he was identified as Michael Matousek. The criminal complaint states that Matousek admitted to the officer that he had consumed 'a couple of drinks'. The officer reports in the criminal complaint that Matousek was slurring his speech and that the officer could smell intoxicants on Matousek's breath.

The officer conducted standard field sobriety tests with Matousek, which he reportedly could not successfully complete. A preliminary test of Matousek's breath gave a result of 0.193.

Public record shows that a jury trial was held in Washburn County Circuit Court on May 31 regarding Matousek's charges for OWI 4^th offense, and Operating with a Prohibited Alcohol Concentration (PAC) 4^th offense.

The jury found Matousek guilty on both counts. Matousek was sentenced to 60 days jail time on his conviction for OWI, with a note that he can complete the sentence while on the Intoxicated Driver Intervention Program (IDIP) monitor. Matousek will be required to have an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) installed on his vehicle for 24 months and his driver's license will be revoked for 24 months.

According to wisconsindot.gov, an individual convicted of OWI (2^nd Offense or higher) may be eligible to apply for an occupational license 45 days after the revocation of their driver's license takes effect. Whether an individual chooses to apply for an occupational license or if they choose to wait until after the full revocation period is over to apply for their regular driver's license, the requirement for the IID 'kicks in' once the Department of Motor Vehicle issues any type of license to the individual. Under Wisconsin State Statute Section 347.413 it is a misdemeanor offense to fail to install an IID once ordered to do so or to tamper with the IID in any way.

Public record also shows that because Wisconsin law provides for only one penalty even if someone if convicted for both OWI and Operating with PAC, no additional penalty shall be imposed on Matousek for the conviction for Operating with PAC. Matousek also owes a total of $2,520.00 in court assessments.