DWI / DUI Lawyer in Wisconsin

Operating While Intoxicated — Wisconsin's term for what other states call DUI or DWI. It covers driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or with a BAC of .08 or higher (.02 for drivers with three or more priors).

Correct — Wisconsin is the only state where a standard first OWI is a civil forfeiture rather than a crime. But don't mistake that for minor: it still means a 6–9 month revocation, six points, an SR-22, roughly doubled insurance, and a lifetime countable prior. And a minor under 16 in the car makes even a first offense criminal.

If your test was .08 or above, Wisconsin issues an administrative suspension that starts 30 days after notice — and you have just 10 days to request an administrative review to fight it. That deadline runs regardless of the court case, so consult an attorney early.

Because the case depends on evidence that must be reviewed first — the stop's basis, field sobriety administration, breath and blood testing, refusal issues. An attorney can only scope an honest defense, and its cost, after seeing your file. That review starts with a consultation.

Sometimes — suppression of a bad stop or flawed test can collapse the case, and negotiated outcomes exist where the evidence is weak. Because priors count for life in Wisconsin's escalating penalty ladder, keeping a first offense off your record has consequences for decades. We connect you with a licensed Wisconsin OWI attorney to evaluate your specific facts.