Legal Definitions - OWI

OWI stands for Operating While Intoxicated.

This legal term refers to the criminal offense of driving or being in physical control of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both, to a degree that impairs one's ability to operate the vehicle safely. It is a serious charge aimed at preventing impaired individuals from endangering themselves and others on the road.

Here are some examples illustrating OWI:

• Example 1: After attending a company holiday party, Mark decides to drive home. He has consumed several alcoholic beverages and, while driving, he swerves across lanes, struggles to maintain a consistent speed, and nearly misses a stop sign. A police officer observes his erratic driving and pulls him over.

  Explanation: Mark is engaged in operating a motor vehicle (driving) while intoxicated by alcohol, which has visibly impaired his ability to drive safely. This situation clearly falls under the definition of OWI.

• Example 2: Sarah takes a strong prescription pain medication that her doctor warned could cause drowsiness and impair judgment. Despite the warning, she gets on her scooter to run an errand. While riding, she feels disoriented and has difficulty focusing, leading her to weave slightly and react slowly to traffic signals.

  Explanation: Even though her medication is legally prescribed, Sarah is operating her scooter while intoxicated by a drug that impairs her driving ability. OWI laws cover impairment from any substance, not just illegal ones, if it affects safe operation.

• Example 3: David pulls into a parking lot after consuming too much alcohol at a bar. He decides not to drive further but falls asleep in the driver's seat with the engine running and the keys in the ignition. A security guard notices him and calls the police.

  Explanation: Although David was not actively driving, he was found in physical control of the vehicle (engine running, keys in ignition, in the driver's seat) while intoxicated. Many OWI statutes include being in physical control as a form of "operating," as it implies the potential to drive and therefore poses a risk.