Appleton Drunk Driving Attorney: OWI, DUI, & OUI Drunk driving defense attorneys serving Outagamie County

Grieve Law’s award-winning OWI attorneys serve Appleton, Wisconsin and the surrounding communities with award-winning OWI attorneys. Your first OWI charge in Appleton, Wisconsin could result in severe penalties, including driver’s license revocation for up to 9 months, fines up to $300 and potential jail time. Each subsequent OWI conviction after your first will result in escalated fine amounts and penalties. Whether it be your first offense, second offense, third offense, fourth offense, or fifth offense OWI charge, our drunk driving lawyers will work closely with you.

If you face OWI charges in Appleton, call Grieve Law's OWI attorneys for a free case evaluation.

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What constitutes an OWI in Milwaukee, WI?

In Appleton, Wisconsin, an OWI (Operating While Intoxicated) involves operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or other restricted/illegal substances that impair your ability to drive safely. Based on Wisconsin state law, here’s what qualifies as an OWI in Appleton:

Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) Limits

0.08% or higher for drivers aged 21 and older.
0.04% or higher for drivers operating commercial vehicles.
0.02% or higher for drivers with three or more prior OWI convictions.
Any detectable amount of a restricted controlled substance in your system (such as recreational drugs like cannabis or prescribed drugs that impair driving).

Impairment Standard

You can still face OWI charges even if your BAC is below the legal limit if law enforcement concludes that alcohol, drugs, or both have impaired your ability to operate a motor vehicle.

Refusal to Take a Chemical Test

Wisconsin's implied consent law requires you to submit to a chemical test (breath, blood, or urine) if you're lawfully arrested for an OWI. Refusing to comply can lead to additional penalties, such as license revocation and the installation of an ignition interlock device.

Aggravating Factors

Certain factors can increase the severity of an OWI charge:

Driving with a minor under 16 years old in the vehicle.
Causing injury or death while operating under the influence.
Prior OWI convictions.

Penalties for OWIs in Appleton, WI

95% of first-time OWI offenders decide not to hire an attorney, commonly resulting in a conviction. Some people think hiring an OWI attorney will cost more than just paying the fines - not true. A DUI can cost upwards of $40,000 over your lifetime when you account for increases in insurance rates, fines, and losses in income from potential job termination. Investing in an Appleton OWI attorney to help remove your OWI charges could save you money and a lifetime of struggle.

240 people were arrested for OWI in Appleton in 2020. Appleton OWI arrests account for 37.2% of all OWIs in Outagamie County that year (645). Drunk driving penalties have become more strict over the years. Depending on the severity of your case, you could be facing anything from a couple hundred dollars in fines and a driver's license revocation to over a year in prison and $25,000 in fines. Contact our Appleton OWI lawyers when you’re facing serious, drunk driving charges.

Each OWI Offense Comes with different consequences:

Are You Facing a FELONY Charge for OWI in Appleton?

If you were charged with operating while intoxicated in the city of Appleton (or anywhere else in Wisconsin), there’s a chance you’re facing a felony charge depending on the details of your situation. Your OWI charge may be a felony if:

You were operating with a minor under the age of 16 in the vehicle - Class H Felony
You caused great bodily harm - Class F Felony
It was your 2nd OWI and you caused an injury - Class H Felony
It was your 4th OWI - Class H Felony
It was your 5th OWI - Class G Felony

Any felony charge will be on your record for the rest of your life and likely comes with thousands of dollars in fines and some jail time. The best way to fight or reduce your charges is by hiring Appleton's top DUI defense attorney capable of getting DUI charges reduced and dismissed. Grieve Law's criminal defense attorneys will go down every path necessary to achieve the best possible outcome for your case.

To learn more about the charges you could be facing, contact our Appleton DUI attorney today.

Free OWI Case Assessments in Appleton

Grieve Law offers free case consultations and assessments for all OWI, DUI, OUI, and related offenses in Appleton and throughout Wisconsin. Our experienced drunk driving attorneys will review the details of your case and communicate your defense options. If you decide to move past the consultation process, our OWI attorneys will apply the law to the facts of your case to determine the best way to defend you. Our attorneys do not go into a case to present a guilty plea. We do everything we can to achieve the best possible outcome (reductions or dismissals).

Grieve Law's experienced DUI attorneys in Appleton have a great record of DUI dismissals and charge reductions. Our award-winning team of former prosecutors knows their way around the law and will surprise you with how much they can help.

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Appleton OWI Attorneys

How long does an OWI stay on your record in Appleton?

An OWI will stay on your driving and criminal record forever in the state of Wisconsin. An OWI cannot be expunged or removed from your record. Unless you’re able to get the case dismissed or reduced to a different charge, the OWI will be on your record for life.

How to beat an OWI in Appleton

To beat an OWI charge in Appleton you need to hire an OWI criminal defense attorney. You should schedule a free consultation to see if your case has the potential to be beaten or have the charges reduced. As long as you have an experienced criminal defense attorney on your side (who attends all the court dates) you may be able to have your charges dropped or reduced.

Many attorneys will consider the following when planning your OWI defense strategy:

Was the traffic stop legal?
Was the field sobriety test properly conducted?
Were the chemical test results compromised?
Did you take your BAC test at the right time? Did they wait to give you a test?

References: Operating under influence of intoxicant or other drug. Wisconsin State Legislature 346.63 | Drunk driving law. Wisconsin Department of Transportation |

Hear from our clients

Milwaukee Criminal Defense Attorney Amy Scholz is a "well-respected attorney for a good reason: she brings her years as a former state criminal prosecutor to the table for her clients each time she steps into court. Attorney Scholz has earned the experience and achieved the results that clients look for in an attorney. That experience combined with her strong communication and knowledge of the law is what makes her a sought-after attorney. I highly recommend attorney Scholz"

Tom is a very hardworking, honest man. In my experience, Tom gives every client his best effort. Tom is also very intelligent and he has an excellent memory. I would recommend Tom to anyone searching for an attorney.

Mr. Grieve is a very capable attorney. I recently hired him and his associates (who were lovely) for a DUI where I had a firearm in my center console (CCW Wisconsin permit). I wasn't aware if you were drinking that you can't have your CCW on you in the car, and ultimately they wanted me to sit for six months in jail. Grieve got it dropped completely which is fantastic or my future career would have been nonexistent.

I worked with attorney Julia Westley for my OWI case. She was always very responsive to any inquiries I had even after my sentencing. I could always tell that she genuinely cared about where the case was going and felt that she had my best interests at heart and it wasn't just about getting the case over with. Would highly recommend.

Attorney: Julia Westley

Jason M on

What does OWI stand for?

OWI stands for "Operating While Intoxicated".

What's the difference between OWI and DUI?

DUI stands for "Driving Under the Influence" while OWI stands for "Operating While Intoxicated". In Wisconsin, OWI is the correct term to use when referring to "dunk driving".

Can you fight a DUI charge in court?

Yes, you can hire an OWI attorney to help fight your OWI charges in court in attempt to reduce or remove your charges. If you've already been convicted of an OWI you can attempt to get your previous charges expunged (although very difficult).

How much does a DUI attorney cost in Appleton?

The cost of a DUI attorney in Appleton will vary depending on the law firm you work with. Most attorneys charge their clients by the hour regardless of the case in question.

Can you drive after getting an OWI in Appleton, WI?

Driving permissions after receiving an OWI are different depending on the detail of your case. At minimum, your driver's license could be revoked for 6 months. At the most, you may never be allowed to drive again.