PAC:
Prohibited Alcohol Concentration

PAC stands for "prohibited alchol concentration" levels. A prohibited alcohol concentration level violation is separate and apart from an OWI - operating while under the influence - intoxicated. The state of Wisconsin sets the legal limit (now .08) at which a person is considered to be legally drunk (provided that the results are accurate). If a person's test results prove a greater concentration of alcohol in the bloodstream than .08 (BAC), then the evidence "shows on its face" that the person is legally drunk, hence in violation of the "prohibited alcohol concentration" laws of Wisconsin.

BAC versus PAC
Blood Alcohol Concentration versus prohibited alcohol concentration

Blood alcohol concentration (BAC laws) levels are the results of a test, whereas prohibited alcohol concentration (PAC) is the level at which legislation determines a person is legally drunk. Previously, Wisconsin laws prohibited any person with an alcohol concentration level of .10 or greater from driving. Those laws have changed. Today, the maximum alcohol concentration level allowable for a driver is .08 absent any other factors such as prior convictions.

If the results of a blood or breath test exceed the legally allowable limits (see Wisconsin drunk driving laws and changes in Wisconsin drunk driving laws), the test results are evidence of a violation of Wisconsin's prohibited alcohol concentration laws (PAC).

PAC Tickets

If a person is determined to be drunk (the blood alcohol concentration test results were at or in excess of the legal limit), police will issue a separate ticket for a prohibited alcohol concentration violation. [See What To Expect]

Prohibited Alcohol Concentration Guidelines - Sentencing

Upon conviction, a Wisconsin Circuit Court imposes penalties. That process is called sentencing. Wisconsin's sentencing guidelines provide a court (judge) with a generalized framework for penalties, however courts can (and almost always do) provide harsher sentences than provided in the sentencing guidelines.

DUI Defense Lawyers

Attorney Chris Van Wagner & Attorney Tracey Wood have tried thousands of drunk driving cases ranging from first offense non-criminal drunk driving cases to fifth and subsequent felony drunk driving cases. Attorney Tracey Wood is regarded by many as Wisconsin's foremost authority on drunk driving law, and she is often sought out by other lawyers for her expertise. As Chris Van Wagner says, "Attorney Wood doesn't get caught off guard. She knows the law, every bit of the law."

Drug Offense Defense Attorneys

Under Wisconsin OWI - Operating While Under the Influence (intoxicated) - laws, an OWI can be issued for intoxication by alcohol, drugs (legal and illegal) or prescription drugs. The criminal defense attorneys at Van Wagner & Wood also handle drug offenses in both Wisconsin Circuit Courts and US Federal courts. See [Drug Crimes]

Free Initial Consultation

Attorney Tracey Wood is also highly regarded for her successful challenges to prior operating under the influence convictions. She has handled numerous cases in which a prior conviction was successfully challenged and the resulting charges lowered; she has also handled many cases in which drunk driving charges were dismissed.

If you have been arrested for drunk driving, please call ( in Madison, or statewide) for a first-impression analysis of the case against you. The consultation is free.