Home > Practice Areas > OWI / DWI / DUI Defense in Green Bay, Wisconsin and surrounding areas

OWI / DWI / DUI

Green Bay, Wisconsin - OWI Defense Lawyers

If you have been arrested on the weekend and if you need to hire an attorney right away, please call our office at 920-321-2500 and dial 9 for our emergency weekend service.

If you have been arrested for OWI / DUI you need to talk to an experienced and aggressive attorney right away. This is a serious offense which can result in costly fines, suspension of your driver's license, installation of a costly ignition interlock device in your car, and even jail time. The attorneys at Schwitzer Simon, LLC focus on providing excellent representation in OWI / DUI matters. We understand that being arrested for drunk driving can happen to just about anyone. In fact, we are so well respected in the legal community that we have even represented other lawyers in drunk driving cases.

The OWI / DUI laws in Wisconsin change frequently, with the state legislature constantly increasing the penalties for these types of offenses. That is why it is important to seek the assistance of a professional, who is experienced in helping individuals with these types of matters. We know that drivers can, at times, be wrongly accused. It is not against the law to drink and drive in Wisconsin, only to drive while you are impaired. So just because you've been arrested, does not necessarily mean that you are guilty. We focus first on defending you. However, if it appears as though you are going to be found guilty, we can also give you the advice you need to obtain an occupational license or even huber work release or electronic home monitoring if you are facing jail.

At Schwitzer Simon, LLC of Green Bay, Wisconsin, we will aggressively and thoroughly defend you against the charges of OWI, DUI, and DWI, and we will always work to get you the best result we can.

Wisconsin - OWI / DWI / DUI Laws

1^st OWI Offense in Wisconsin
In Wisconsin, a first offense drunk driving arrest is not a criminal offense. It is considered an ordinance violation, which results in a monetary penalty and a revocation of your driver's license. Wisconsin is the only state that treats first-offense OWI as a traffic violation. However, if convicted, you may also be required to get an AODA (alcohol or drug assessment) and go to treatment classes. You may also be required to obtain very costly SR-22 insurance for your vehicle. This can result in long lasting consequences to you. A 1st offense OWI is very serious, and remains on your driving record for life! In addition, if you are convicted of an OWI-1st offense and your blood alcohol concentration is above 0.15 you will be required to have an ignition interlock device installed in any vehicle that you own or operate, which can costs thousands of dollars per year.
As of July 1, 2010 Wisconsin now does criminalize a 1st offense OWI in those cases where a person under the age of 16 is present in the car at the time of the offense. This new misdemeanor exposes first-time offenders to the same penalties they would face if convicted of a 2nd offense OWI: 5 days to 6 months in jail and a substantial fine.
2^nd - 3^th OWI Offense in Wisconsin
If you are arrested for a 2nd or a 3rd offense OWI / DWI / DUI in Wisconsin, you could be facing fines of over $2,000, revocation of your driver's license for several years, and jail time ranging anywhere from 5 days to 1 year, if convicted. This type of conviction is also considered a criminal offense, and will leave you with a criminal record.
Hiring an attorney can help to limit or even eliminate the amount of jail that you have to serve, given the circumstances of your case. Check out our case results page to see past results that we have had in this area of our practice, and contact us to discuss your case.
4^th OWI Offense within 5 years of Previous Offense in Wisconsin
A conviction for 4th offense OWI / DWI / DUI is a felony in Wisconsin if you are arrested within 5 years of your previous offense. Punishment can range from 6 months all the way up to 6 years in prison. However, the State of Wisconsin is getting more and more harsh on felony drunk driving cases, and in most instances the Prosecutor will be trying to put people convicted of such offenses in prison for years rather than months. However, if it has been more than 5 years since your last offense, then the charge will be a misdemeanor with the individual facing up to 1 year in jail.
5^st OWI Offense and above in Wisconsin
If you are arrested for a 5th offense OWI or above in Wisconsin, you will be facing a felony charge. If convicted you will be facing the possiblilty of going to prison, losing your right to vote, and losing your right to own a firearm.


715 Superior Road · Suite 121 Green Bay, Wisconsin 54311 Phone: (920) 321-2500 Fax: (920) 321-2501	Schwitzer Simon, LLC’s attorneys of Green Bay routinely cases for people residing in Wisconsin, and most frequently residing in Brown County. Specifically, clients reside in the cities of Green Bay, De Pere and the villages of Allouez, Ashwaubenon, Bellevue, Denmark, Hobart, Howard, Pulaski, Suamico, and Wrightstown. The attorneys at the firm also represent clients from the towns of Eaton, Glenmore, Holland, Humboldt, Lawrence, Ledgeview, Morrison, New Denmark, Pittsfield, Rockland, Scott, and Wrightstown.