OWI penalties vary by county, but in Waukesha County, first offense OWI penalties could include a $150 to $300 fine and revocation of your license for 6 to 9 months. In one of the most severe cases, a homicide caused by OWI, the penalty is up to a $100,000 fine, 25-40 years in prison or both.

In 2020, the Brookfield Police Department arrested 138 people for OWI. In total, 1,337 people were arrested for OWI in Waukesha County that same year.

If you are facing OWI charges in Brookfield or Waukesha, call Grieve Law's criminal defense attorneys for a free case consultation. 

OWI & your record How to beat OWI Payment plans

A first-offense OWI is not just a ticket. In addition to driver's license revocation time, potential ignition interlock device requirements, fines, and alcohol classes, studies have shown that a DUI first offense can cost between $20,000 and $40,000 over the span of your life. In addition to those penalties, you may also face a permanent travel ban to Canada and certain other countries, increased insurance premiums, and a loss of any special licenses you hold including a pilot's license or CDL.

Whether you've been charged with your first OWI or a repeat offense, the guidance of a skilled attorney can significantly impact the severity of your sentence. If convicted, your license will be revoked - and improperly obtaining an occupational license afterward or driving outside permitted hours/conditions can create new criminal charges. This could mean further jail time on top of any sentence for the original OWI. A lawyer who understands your specific situation can provide critical counsel on the proper steps to take and help minimize lasting penalties. 

Don't fight alone against an OWI. Partnering with the right legal experts makes all the difference in working toward the most favorable outcome possible. When you partner with Grieve Law, you can move forward with the peace of mind that your rights will be protected.

The Importance of Hiring an Experienced OWI Defense Attorney

No one ever plans to get an OWI. Most people think it will never happen to them. But even good people have bad days, and mistakes happen. If you find yourself faced with an OWI, you face significant potential penalties, and having experienced lawyers on your side is critical. If you are convicted of any OWI offense you will face a period of driver's license revocation time, potential mandatory ignition interlock device requirements for any vehicle titled or registered in your name, fines in the thousands of dollars, mandatory alcohol classes, limitations on your ability to drive for months or years, and even jail time.

In Wisconsin, we refer to Driving Under the Influence charges as an OWI, but many people refer to them as DUIs. Wisconsin has many different versions of OWI including alcohol impairment, drug impairment, medication impairment, and combinations of alcohol and drugs. It is true that you can be charged with an OWI for driving while taking prescribed medications even if you are taking those medications consistent with the prescription dosage. 

Whether this is your first time ever being arrested, or you are facing a repeat charge for OWI, it is important to have an experienced and knowledgeable attorney representing you to get you the best result possible in your OWI case.

In any DUI case, the State must prove that you were:

1. Operating a motor vehicle
2. On a public roadway
3. Under the influence of some form of an intoxicant such that it renders you unsafe to operate the vehicle

People often think you cannot be charged with an alcohol OWI if your blood or breath alcohol concentration is below .08, the legal limit for alcohol in Wisconsin. However, this is not accurate. You can be charged with an OWI regardless of your alcohol concentration if you are deemed unsafe to operate your vehicle due to your level of impairment.

Most people charged with a first-offense OWI will not hire an attorney, but you will never get a second chance to challenge a first OWI. The experienced, knowledgeable attorneys at Grieve Law will analyze your case and find the right ways to challenge the state's case. 

You Are Only Guilty If You Are Convicted®

Grieve Law's Waukesha OWI Defense Lawyers 

Grieve Law’s expert team of OWI and criminal defense attorneys have decades of combined experience defending Wisconsin citizens with OWI charges. If you’ve been charged with an OWI, you need a lawyer with a reputation for lessening or dismissing the charges entirely. We are experienced, trained, and focused, and we have a track record for beating cases.

The OWI attorneys at Grieve Law will help you navigate the legal system, understand the paperwork, build your case and reduce the amount of time you spend in court. After you’ve been charged with an OWI, the first 10 days are critical, and you should contact the OWI lawyers at Grieve Law as soon as possible. You need representation from a defense attorney with a record of getting OWI charges reduced or dropped to develop the best possible defense for your case.

The award-winning attorneys at Grieve Law work tirelessly to achieve the best possible outcome for each and every one of our clients. Call us today and rest easy knowing every effort will be made to reach the best possible outcome for your future.