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Grieve Law provides Madison, Wisconsin and the surrounding communities with award-winning OWI attorneys. Our team helps Madison residents dismiss or reduce their drunk driving charges. Our Madison drunk driving lawyers specialize in first offense OWI, second offense OWI, third offense OWI, fourth offense OWI, fifth offense OWI charge, and all other OWI offenses.
Facing OWI charges in Madison? Contact Grieve Law's drunk driving defense attorneys for a free case evaluation.
In Madison, Wisconsin, an OWI (Operating While Intoxicated) means driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or other restricted/illegal substances that impair your ability to drive safely. According to Wisconsin state law, an OWI involves the following:
If your BAC is below the legal limit, you can still be charged with OWI. If law enforcement determines alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both impaired your ability to operate a motor vehicle, you can be charged.
Wisconsin follows an implied consent law, which means if you're lawfully arrested for an OWI, you must submit to a chemical test (breath, blood, or urine). Refusing to comply can lead to extra penalties, such as license revocation and the installation of an ignition interlock device.
The following conditions can elevate the seriousness of an OWI charge:
Grieve Law offers free legal consultations in Madison for anyone facing drunk driving charges. Our Madison OWI lawyers listen, analyze your case, and explore your options with you. We break down your charges and explain all potential outcomes and penalties. Remember, you're only guilty if convicted. Contact our office as soon as possible.
The Madison OWI lawyers at Grieve Law Criminal Defense are amongst the most educated & experienced drunk driving attorneys in Dane County. Our drunk driving lawyers have a remarkable record of success and a solid reputation for getting OWI charges reduced or dropped entirely. Many of our OWI attorneys are former prosecution attorneys, meaning we already know what the other side is thinking and we're ready for anything they'll throw at us in court.
Awards and recognitions our outstanding attorneys have received include: Wisconsin Rising Stars (Super Lawyers), Top Lawyer (Madison Magazine), Client’s Choice Award - DUI & DWI (Avvo.com), Top 100 Lawyers (National Trial Lawyers Association) and so many more.
Our drunk driving lawyers fight all types of OWI charges, including misdemeanor charges, felony charges, drug OWI charges and more. If you or a loved one are looking for help reducing or beating drunk driving charges (or just want to talk about your options), contact our Madison OWI Attorneys today.
The penalties and fines associated with a first-offense OWI are much different than those of a second, third or fourth offense. Possible penalties for a drunk driving conviction in Madison include jail time, fines, license revocation and an ignition interlock device (IID).
Every year hundreds of people get arrested for drunk driving in Madison and throughout Dane County. Dane County is one of the top counties in Wisconsin for annual DUI arrests.
| City | OWI Arrests |
|---|---|
| Madison | 363 |
| Middleton | 122 |
| Fitchburg | 77 |
| Sun Prairie | 63 |
| Verona | 51 |
| DeForest | 40 |
| Monona | 37 |
| Stoughton | 30 |
| Oregon | 27 |
| Waunakee | 18 |
Depending on the details of your Madison drunk driving case, reducing your penalties is a likely possibility if you present the proper defense in court. It’s much easier to reduce drunk driving charges for first-offense OWI charges compared to subsequent charges. It’s also more likely drunk driving charges will get dropped or reduced if you fight the charges before being convicted compared to after, as trying to get an OWI charge removed from your record is extremely unlikely.
Hiring a drunk driving attorney who specializes in OWIs is highly recommended for anyone looking to get charges reduced or dismissed. Our Madison OWI attorneys analyze the facts of your case to develop a strong defense to implement in court. Our experienced drunk driving attorneys at Grieve Law know how to navigate the court system and apply Wisconsin’s OWI laws to your case. Fighting your case alone is never a good idea and often results in an OWI conviction.
Unless you’re highly educated on the law or you are an attorney yourself, we don't recommend attempting to defend yourself in court alone- the consequences of losing your case are too severe. Without the proper defense, you will not be able to follow the proper procedures that allow for a case dismissal, and you won’t have the ability to present an adequate defense in front of the court. If you want the best chance at a future with freedom, hire an attorney who's fought and won OWI cases before. An experienced lawyer will know exactly how to navigate the court system and handle the court’s questions while defending your case competently and confidently under extreme pressure.
If you’re thinking about representing yourself in your Madison OWI case, don’t. Hire an experienced Madison drunk driving attorney from Grieve Law.
If you or a loved one have been convicted of an OWI, you'll have a large bill to pay off. Not only does an OWI come with fines, but you’ll also have to pay court fees and will likely be punished with increased insurance rates for the remainder of your life. The exact dollar amount associated with an OWI is different for everyone and depends on the details of your case. An OWI could potentially cost you more than $30,000 over the course of your life.
The best way to avoid fines and bills that follow you forever is by hiring a drunk driving lawyer from Grieve Law.
If money is tight, you should find a Madison OWI lawyer who offers payment plans and financing. With Grieve Law, you can get an attorney payment plan, which allows you to pay your lawyer fees in small incremental amounts over a pre-established period of time. Payment plans are often a great option for someone who needs an attorney to help them fight a record-threatening charge and can’t afford an attorney in full at the time of the charge.
If you’re looking for a Madison attorney who offers payment plans, contact the OWI attorneys at Grieve Law Criminal Defense to learn more about the options available to you.
An OWI charge will stay on your record for the rest of your life.
Penalties and consequences associated with an OWI in Wisconsin may include:
Once you are arrested for an OWI, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation will send you an Administrative Notice of Intent to Suspend. Failure to file a response within ten days could result in the suspension of your license for 6 months. Our Madison defense case attorneys can take care of this for you.
The first days after an OWI arrest are critical to minimizing your consequences. We'll handle your deadlines to increase your chances of getting your charges reduced or dismissed - call us without delay.
During your first meeting with our Madison DUI attorneys, we'll walk you through the court process and answer all questions you may have. Our attorneys will work with you to better understand what happened, examine the evidence and build the best strategy for your defense.
Our award-winning Madison defense attorneys will work tirelessly to form the best defense for your OWI case. Many of our attorneys are former prosecutors, so they know how the opposition works and can target their weaknesses to get your case dismissed or your charges reduced. If any procedures in the arrest process were completed incorrectly, we will find out for your advantage.
This is one of the most important parts of criminal defense. The defendant must show up. We know showing up in court can be stressful and anxiety-inducing. We're here to get you through it. Our award-winning attorneys will stay by your side to represent you in court and work to find any mistakes or holes in the opposition's attack which can lead to your case being dismissed or your charges being reduced.
References: Operating under influence of intoxicant or other drug. Wisconsin State Legislature 346.63 | Drunk driving law. Wisconsin Department of Transportation |
Fines, forfeiture and temporary revocation of your license + up to 6 years in prison and a lifetime revocation of your license for recurrent offenses. Consequences are more severe if injury or death is involved.
For a first-offense DUI in Wisconsin, you may be fined $140-$300 and have your license revoked for 6-9 months. If your BAC exceeded .14, you’ll need to have an ignition interlock device installed in your vehicle. You’ll be required to get SR-22 high-risk insurance. Consequences increase if injury or death were involved or if you had a minor in the car.
Yes. Don't risk trying to handle your defense on your own. A criminal defense lawyer will work to get your charges dropped or reduced. They know the loopholes in the legal system and they’ll keep you on track for meeting all critical deadlines and requirements related to your case.
