Attorney Offices by
Municipality
- Appleton
- Black River Falls
- Sherman Law Offices:
If you have been charged with an OWI (Operating While Intoxicated) it
is a necessity that you are represented by a Black River Falls drunk
driving attorney.
- Brookfield
- Kim & LeVoy:
Anyone who drinks alcohol and drives a motor vehicle risks being arrested and charged with drunk driving.ÊLaw enforcement officers everywhere have stepped up their efforts to keep intoxicated drivers off the road. One common misunderstanding is that a person needs to be "drunk" in order to be arrested for this offense. The reality is that many people are arrested for drunk driving after having only a few drinks. Unfortunately, a brief lapse in judgment can result in long-term negative consequences such as jail, a criminal conviction, and the loss of your driving privileges for an extended period of time.
- Michael
Jackelen: In today's society, a vehicle is a necessity. ... protect
your right to own and operate a vehicle. His first line of defense is
to challenge the reason that you were stopped. There are bad stops!
There are many things that you need to do before appearing in front of
a judge.
- Penegor Law Office:
You should consult an attorney for individual advice regarding your own situation.
- Chippewa Falls
- Thorson Law Office:
Drunk driving is a serious offense anywhere. Every year in the U.S., at
least 16,000 people are killed in auto accidents where drunk driving is
a factor. In an effort to reduce this hazard on our roads, law
enforcement agencies make more than 1 million OWI / DUI / DWI arrests
per year. In Wisconsin alone, the number of arrests is 37,000 per year.
- Eau Claire
- Elkhorn
- Mistrioty, Timothy:
If you have been charged with a crime in southeastern Wisconsin, including a charge of drunk driving, you need an attorney who understands the DUI laws, who knows how these cases are prosecuted, and who has the experience to negotiate a plea or argue at trial to minimize the consequences you face.
- The Walter Law Offices:
Municipal Drunk Driving Tickets
If this is your first offense, you will be issued a municipal ticket
for Operating While Intoxicated.æAn attorney can help limit the legal
and financial penalties associated with a ticket. The penalties for a
municipal ticket include a drivers license suspension and a substantial
fine; in addition, if convicted your insurance rates will likely
increase dramatically.æFortunately, an attorney can help minimize these
costs.
- Garczynski & Brennan: In Wisconsin, you must be
arrested prior to being cited for DUI. Thus it makes sense when the
officer asks you to leave your vehicle to perform tests for DUI, to
respectfully decline until he or she informs you that you are under
arrest. If the reason for leaving the vehicle is to take field tests,
you must exit if you have been asked to exit, but remember, you do not
have to take field tests.
- Elm Grove
- Carson Law Office: OWI/DUI/DWI Traffic violations can have
serious criminal consequences, particularly when a driver is accused of
driving under the influence. A conviction on OWI/DUI/DWI charges may
result in fines, the revocation or suspension of your driver's license,
and possible jail time. In addition, your insurance company may
increase your rates to an unmanageable level. In defending against an
impaired driving charge, you have many rights as a criminal defendant,
including the right to cross-examine the witnesses against you, even if
they are police officers. An experienced criminal defense attorney can
make all the difference in such a difficult case.
- Fond du Lac
- Anderegg & Mutschler: Many people ask "What can be done if I am
charged with a crime or with a traffic-related offense like drunk
driving?" Typically, when a defense attorney approaches any case,
whether it is a speeding ticket or a first-degree intentional homicide,
the attorney is looking for either of two types of issues in the
client's defense, namely (1) legal issues and/or (2) factual issues.
- Zacherl, O'Malley, and Endejan: If you have just been
arrested for Driving Under the Influence (DUI)/Driving While
Intoxicated (DWI) for the first time, you may feel uncertain about the
resulting court proceedings. Unfamiliar with the criminal justice
system, you may consider having a "friend of a friend" or your family's
lawyer represent you on the charges. This may be a critical mistake.
DUI/DWI law can be quite complex. Furthermore, the stakes are high-even
as a first time offender, you may face hefty fines, probation,
revocation of your license and a dramatic rise in your automobile
insurance rates. You may even be sentenced to some jail time.
Therefore, it is important to hire a defense attorney who has
experience in this area of law.
- Fort Atkinson
- Rogers & Westrick:
Being arrested and charged with a crime can be a devastating experience. You are suddenly thrust into the legal system, a world you may no nothing about. Your job, your reputation, even your freedom may be on the line. Who can you trust to look out for your best interests?
- Glendale
- Mark Hersh:
There are 3 basic avenues that any defense attorney
must pursue to protect his client.
- Try to get the charges to go away entirely, and
get the case dismissed.
- Fight and try to win the case at trial.
- Negotiate for a minimum sentence that the client
can live with, that will remove the risk of the most
serious penalties if found guilty.
These different defense methods are not mutually
exclusive, a good attorney may be pursuing all 3
outcomes at the same time to give the client the most
and best options.
Option 1 involves analyzing the case and all the
evidence to find a mistake the police may have made in
the course of their investigation, and contesting
probable cause at an initial appearance or preliminary
hearing in the case of a felony.
Option 2 involves fighting the case all the way, and
trying to convince a jury that you are not guilty of one
or more elements of the crime.
Option 3 is when you look for a reasonable plea for
your client to accept. This involves more than simply
being a tough and effective negotiator with the
prosecutor, but also helping your client lay the
groundwork for making a strong case for leniency. This
can involve helping the client get drug treatment in a
drug case, or working out creative solutions for
restitution. Anything you can do to make the case that
the defendant is working to turn his life around can be
a huge help in getting a minimal sentence. And anytime
an attorney can take the risk of a jail sentence off the
table, that is a deal worth considering.
- Green Bay
- Froelich Law Offices:
If you have been arrested for an OWI/DUI or have a serious traffic violation you need to take care of, you are, more than likely, confused and do not know what to do. You will be wondering how the arrest is going to affect your future. It can be an overwhelming experience Ñ do not make the mistake of thinking you can handle it on your own Ñ if not handled properly it could have a devastating effect on the rest of your life.
- Mark Howe:
You should consult an attorney for individual advice regarding your own situation.
- Brabazon Law Office:
Perhaps you need your driver's license back after a DUI or are accused
of a felony. You need experienced criminal defense attorneys who will
stand solidly by your side.
- Hudson
- Nicholet, Russell:
This material is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as legal advice.
- Jefferson
- Monogue & Witt:
The typical drunk driving case therefore presents the accused with
three separate and distinct problems. First, and most obvious, is the
operating under the
influence charge itself. This charge, usually issued in the form of a
traffic citation and sometimes followed up on with a criminal complaint
charges the accused
with being too impaired by their consumption of alcohol to safely
operate their motor vehicle. The government does not need a test result
to try and convict on this
charge. A person can be prosecuted for this offense based upon their
driving, their demeanor, their field sobriety test performance, and any
admissions made to the
police officers at the time of arrest. However, a chemical test result
revealing a prohibited alcohol concentration constitutes prima facie
evidence of impairment.
What this means in English is that a judge or jury is permitted to find
that the accused was impaired based upon the test result alone. In
first or second offense
cases, the prohibited alcohol level in the State of Wisconsin is
currently .10. A person accused of a third offense is subject to a
prohibited level of .08, and a person
accused of a fourth or subsequent lifetime offense is subject to a
prohibited alcohol level of .02.
- Kenosha
- Caviale, John:
Remember, multiple DUI or DWI offenses can have serious consequences, including jail time, loss of license, and even the installation of an ignition interlock on your vehicle. Prevent such dire consequences by ensuring that you have the best DUI defense possible.
- Mura, Rene:
When you have been charged with a crime, you want an experienced lawyer who understands the criminal justice system and how prosecutors prepare cases. You want your attorney to know what the state has to prove and how the prosecution will approach each case. Because criminal cases often turn on the credibility of witnesses, you also want an attorney with the experience to recognize when testimony is believable.
- David Berman:
When you are accused of a crime, you find yourself in a frightening and
stressful situation. No matter how minor the charge may seem, you
should be represented by knowledgeable, competent counsel, who can work
through the criminal justice system, give you zealous representation,
and minimize the impact of the proceedings on your life. If you have
been accused of a crime, or if you know someone who has been accused of
a crime, do not delay in contacting an experienced criminal defense
attorney.
- LaCrosse
- Lake Geneva
- Martin Law Offices:
If you are arrested for breaking a criminal law, the case is taken
before a magistrate who may issue a warrant if necessary and set bond
for appearance in court. If the defendant cannot post the bond he may
be incarcerated pending appearance in court. If bond is posted, he will
remain free pending appearance at an arraignment. An arraignment
usually occurs within 24 hours of the arrest or the first date
available if on a weekend or holiday. The arraignment is held before a
judge of the courts. During the arraignment the defendant is formally
told what offense he is charged with, told their constitutional rights,
and of the possible penalties. The defendant will enter a plea of
guilty or not guilty, bond may be reviewed, and a date for the next
hearing will be scheduled.
- Madison
- Menasha
- Pitsch Law Offices:
You are under "arrest" when a police officer takes you into custody and you
are no longer free to leave. It has little to do with whether you have been
handcuffed or physical restrained. The key is the exercise of police authority
over a person. When someone is arrested the police must follow legal
procedures. The police must inform you of your rights before you can be
questioned.
- Menomonie:
- Bakke-Norman
Wisconsin law provides that no person may drive or operate a motor
vehicle
while under the influence of an intoxicant or drug to a degree which
causes the person
to be incapable of safely driving. In addition, no person may drive or
operate a motor
vehicle with a prohibited alcohol concentration, which is generally an
amount of 0.1%
or greater of alcohol in the body. The law refers to both "drive" and
"operate"
because a person can be charged with operating while intoxicated even if
the vehicle
is not actually moving at the time of the contact with police.
- Peter Morin:
You have the right to be arraigned without unnecessary delay - usually
within two court days - after being arrested. You will appear before a
judge who will tell you officially of the charges against you at your
first arraignment. At the arraignment, an attorney may be appointed for
you if you cannot afford one, and bail can be raised or lowered. You
also can ask to be released on personal recognizance, even if bail was
previously set.
- Milwaukee
- Minocqua
- Harrold, Scrobell & Danner:
If you are charged with drunk driving, the charges can impact your
insurance rates, your ability to drive, and you may even face jail
time. It is important that you preserve your rights while protecting
your reputation, regardless of the offense.
- Monroe
- Burns Law Office:
You don't need to talk to the police if you don't want to. If you do talk to them, you cannot lie to them or mislead them.
- New Berlin
- Gatzke & Ruppelt:
A conviction on DUI/OWI charges will result in fines, driver's license
suspension or revocation, and possibly land you in jail. In addition,
your insurance company may increase your rates to an unmanageable
level. In defending against an impaired driving charge, you have many
rights as a criminal defendant, including the right to cross-examine
the witnesses against you, even if they are police officers. An
experienced attorney can make all the difference in such a difficult
case.
- Racine
- Richards & Hall:
The sooner representation is secured the sooner your rights can be protected.
- Robert Keller:
Wisconsin's criminal code is one of the toughest in the United States.
If you have been charged with a crime or are under investigation for a
crime, you should consult with a qualified criminal defense attorney as
soon as possible.
- Sturgeon Bay
- David Sparr: Traffic
violations such as speeding, DWI / DUI, illegal lane usage, reckless
driving, failure to yield, and following too closely can result in
license suspensions and higher insurance rates. Depending on the
violation and how it is resolved, you may be fined, referred to a
special program, or sent to jail.
- Stephen Johnson:
The basic rights of a citizen under arrest are stated in the Fifth,
Sixth and Eighth Amendments of the "Bill of Rights" of the United
States Constitution.
"No person . . . shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a
witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty or property,
without due process of law." (Fifth Amendment).
"In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a
speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury . . . and to be informed
of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the
witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining
witnesses in his favor; and to have the assistance of counsel for his
defense." (Sixth Amendment).
"Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor
shall cruel and unusual punishments be inflicted." (Eighth Amendment).
Since the adoption of the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution, the
states have also had to guarantee these rights. This amendment
provides: "No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge
the privileges or immunities of the citizens of the United States . .
."
- Wausau
Hess Law:
- The
commonly used terminology is "drunk driving" or "operating while
intoxicated" (OWI), but the law refers to impairment from either
alcohol or drugs or both. Specifically, the law prohibits a person from
driving or operating a motor vehicle while "under the influence of an
intoxicant or a controlled substance" or a combination thereof.
- Waukesha
- Kuchler Law Offices:
A drunk driving charge can have very serious consequences. If convicted, you could lose your drivers license making it difficult to keep your job. Multiple arrests can lead to significant jail time. If you have been arrested for drunk driving, you need an aggressive lawyer who will fight to protect your rights and keep you out of jail.If your DWI charge is due to a 911 call, contacting us quickly will give us time to obtain the tape of the 911 call so we can establish if there was truly just cause for the police to stop you.
The punishment for driving drunk can be severe. You may escape jail for a first offense, but a second offense or a third offense can result in mandatory jail time. If you are charged five times, you face felony drunk driving charges.
- Huppertz:
Drunk Driving Laws in Wisconsin
In Wisconsin, there is technically no DUI – only OWI or DWI. Your
driver’s license is automatically revoked after an arrest. If you have
a commercial driver’s license (CDL), you will lose that license as
well, even if you have been accused of drunk driving in your personal
vehicle.
Even for a first offense or a juvenile conviction, the penalties for
drunk driving can be severe. If you are convicted of a DWI or OWI, you
could suffer the following:
- Possible jail or prison time
- Costly fines
- A permanent record
- Higher insurance rates
- License suspension or revocation
- Community service
- Alcohol treatment
- Probation
- Loss of your vehicle
- Kuhary:
The crime of drunk driving is generally defined in two ways: (1) having
a blood alcohol content above the limit set by law, or (2) driving
under the influence of alcohol. To find a person guilty under the first
definition, a jury must be convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that the
person's blood alcohol content (BAC) exceeded a certain amount. In most
states the legal limit is .10 percent. Therefore, if it is proved that
the person's BAC at the time of the incident was .10 percent or
greater, he or she can be convicted of drunk driving, regardless of how
much alcohol was actually consumed. As a practical matter, one drink
would almost certainly not lead to a BAC of .10 percent or greater;
generally, a person needs to have five drinks in an hour to develop a
BAC of .10 percent. However, if there was something unique about the
person or the drink, or other circumstance, one drink could raise the
BAC above the legal limit.
In contrast, the second definition does not refer to any particular
BAC. It focuses on the driving behavior of the person; if it is
impaired by the person's consumption of alcohol, he or she can be found
guilty of drunk driving. Instead of presenting evidence of the BAC to a
jury, the prosecution seeking a conviction under this definition
generally presents testimony about the person's driving and consumption
of alcohol. A police officer will often describe the impaired driving
that lead him to pull the person over and the person's ability (or lack
thereof) to perform field sobriety tests, such as walking a straight
line. Evidence is also usually presented concerning the person's
consumption of alcohol and if the jury then concludes that the
prosecution has met its burden of proof, it will convict the person of
drunk driving. A susceptible person may exhibit impaired driving after
one drink and therefore be convicted of drunk driving.
- West Bend
- Doherty, Joseph:
Penalties for DWI / DUI
The consequences of a DWI / DUI conviction are severe. Your license is automatically revoked for six months. You can obtain an occupational license that allows you to drive to work. However, you have to wait for 30 days for the occupational license after the second offense and one year after the third offense. Other penalties include fines, jail time and mandatory class attendance. If drugs are found in your car when you are stopped for suspicion of DWI / DUI, the penalties increase.
Contact an Experienced DWI / DUI Lawyer
You do not want to leave matters to chance when facing a DWI / DUI charge. The stakes are high and could affect your ability to work or find a place to live.
- Waring Fincke:
If you are arrested for drunk driving, you will need to figure out if
you want to take a breath or chemical test, as required by law. If you
refuse to take such a test, after being arrested for drunk driving,
your driver's license can be revoked for a year or more for refusing to
take the test.
If you have been arrested for just drunk driving, it may be advisable
to take the test. If you were involved in an accident where people were
killed or seriously injured, it may be advisable not to take the test
and suffer the revocation rather than give the police evidence of your
possible intoxication. In either event, the police do not have to let
you speak with a lawyer before taking the test. If you tell them that
you will not take the test without a lawyer present, they will treat
your comment as a refusal and so will the court.
- Wisconsin Rapids
- Schmidt, Grace & Duncan:
... proper procedures which should be utilized by law enforcement
officers attempting to convict people of operating while under the
influence.
Brought to you by Colorado DUI Drunk Driving Defense
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