Milwaukee OWI Lawyer

Over 1,000 OWI Dismissals & Reductions Across Wisconsin Since 1993

A DUI or OWI charge (Wisconsin uses “Operating While Intoxicated” as its formal statutory term) can follow you for years. Lost driving privileges, a criminal record, higher insurance premiums, and employment consequences are all on the table from a single arrest. At Melowski & Singh, LLC, we’ve been defending clients against these charges since 1993 and have secured dismissals or non-alcohol-related reductions in over 1,000 OWI cases statewide.

Our Milwaukee OWI defense practice covers every charge type and every stage of the process, from the initial stop through trial. Dennis Melowski has been consistently recognized among the top OWI defense attorneys in Wisconsin by peer surveys, and our approach is built on thorough case preparation rather than plea agreements.

Call Melowski & Singh, LLC today at (920) 294-1414 or contact us online to schedule a consultation with our Milwaukee DUI attorneys.

What OWI Charges in Wisconsin Actually Mean

Wisconsin law prohibits operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08% or higher. But a BAC reading alone isn’t the only basis for arrest. A driver can be charged if they show signs of impairment even below that threshold, and OWI charges extend to impairment from controlled substances, marijuana, prescription medication, and illegal drugs.

The charge you’re facing depends on your prior offense history, the circumstances of the stop, whether an accident occurred, and whether a minor was in the vehicle. Each of those variables affects both the severity of potential penalties and the defense strategies available to you.

Penalties That Vary Significantly by Offense

Wisconsin’s OWI penalties escalate with each conviction. Understanding the range helps clarify what’s at stake before you decide how to respond to a charge.

First-offense OWI penalties typically include:

• Fines ranging from $150 to $300
• License suspension of 6 to 9 months
• Required alcohol education or assessment
• No mandatory jail time unless aggravating factors apply, such as a child passenger or an accident

Second-offense OWI penalties typically include:

• Fines ranging from $350 to $1,100
• Mandatory license revocation of 12 to 18 months
• Mandatory jail time of 5 days to 6 months
• Mandatory alcohol treatment or education programs

Third offense and beyond typically includes:

• Fines ranging from $600 to $2,000
• License revocation of 2 to 3 years
• Up to 1 year of incarceration depending on case severity
• Required alcohol or drug treatment
• Probation with mandatory counseling

Charges involving accidents, injuries, or child passengers carry enhanced penalties at every offense level, including mandatory jail time and additional fines that don’t apply to standard charges.

Defense Strategies Our Milwaukee OWI Attorneys Use

Every OWI case turns on its specific facts. The evidence that matters, and how to challenge it, depends on what happened from the moment of the traffic stop through the administration of any chemical test. We examine each stage carefully to identify where the state’s case has weaknesses.

Common grounds for challenging an OWI charge include:

• Unlawful traffic stop: If the officer lacked reasonable suspicion to stop your vehicle, evidence gathered during that stop can potentially be excluded from court.
• BAC testing errors: Breathalyzer results depend on properly calibrated equipment and correct administration procedures. Calibration failures, improper sample handling, or operator error can produce inaccurate readings.
• Insufficient probable cause for arrest: An arrest requires more than a stop. If the officer lacked reasonable grounds to believe you were impaired, the arrest itself may be challenged.
• Faulty field sobriety test administration: Field sobriety tests are subjective and affected by medical conditions, physical limitations, and environmental factors. Failure to follow standardized procedures is a recognized basis for challenge.
• Rising BAC at the time of driving: BAC continues to rise after drinking stops. If your BAC was still climbing when the test was administered, it may have been below the legal limit while you were actually behind the wheel.
• Prescription medication defense: Impairment attributed to prescribed medication taken as directed raises distinct legal questions that differ from alcohol-related charges.

Milwaukee OWI Defense for Every Charge Type

Not every OWI case is the same, and the strategy that works for a first offense is different from what a repeat charge or felony-level case requires. We handle the full range of Milwaukee DUI and OWI charges and have built separate resources for specific situations so you can find the information most relevant to your case.

A first-offense OWI carries penalties that differ meaningfully from subsequent offenses, and the defense approach differs too. Clients facing multiple prior offenses face elevated statutory consequences and benefit from a strategy built around those specific circumstances. Whatever the charge, our goal is the same: examine the evidence, challenge what can be challenged, and prepare fully for trial if that’s what your case requires.

Why Our Track Record Matters to Your Case

Over 1,000 dismissed or non-alcohol-related charge reductions since 1993 isn’t a marketing figure. It reflects how we approach every file that comes through our firm. We don’t treat OWI cases as routine, and we don’t push clients toward settlements that leave a conviction on their record when a real defense exists. Dennis Melowski’s recognition among Wisconsin’s top OWI defense attorneys in peer surveys reflects what our clients experience: attorneys who know this area of law thoroughly and fight for meaningful results rather than routine resolutions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the Difference Between a DUI & an OWI in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin uses OWI (Operating While Intoxicated) as its legal term rather than DUI. The two terms refer to the same conduct, and you’ll see both used. Formally, your charge and any court documents will reference OWI under Wisconsin statute.

Can I Fight an OWI Charge If I Failed a Breathalyzer Test?

Yes. A breathalyzer result is evidence, not a verdict. We evaluate whether the device was properly calibrated, whether the test was administered correctly, and whether the result accurately reflected your BAC at the time you were driving. Multiple grounds exist for challenging chemical test results.

Do I Need a Lawyer for a First-Offense OWI in Milwaukee?

A first offense can still result in license suspension, fines, required alcohol education, and a permanent record entry. How the case is handled affects all of those outcomes. An attorney who knows Wisconsin OWI law can identify defenses that aren’t obvious from the arrest paperwork alone.

How Long Does an OWI Stay on My Record in Wisconsin?

Prior OWI convictions can follow you for life. Starting with a third offense, all prior convictions count toward penalty calculations regardless of when they occurred. How prior offenses are counted at the second-offense level depends on additional factors, including how recently those offenses took place. This is one more reason the outcome of each charge is particularly significant.

What Happens to My License After an OWI Arrest in Milwaukee?

An OWI arrest typically triggers an administrative license suspension separate from any criminal court proceedings. This suspension can take effect quickly after your arrest, and contesting it requires action within a short window. We can advise you on both the administrative and criminal timelines.

Talk to a Milwaukee DUI Defense Attorney

If you’ve been charged with OWI or DUI in Milwaukee, the decisions you make now affect what happens in court. We’ve been handling these cases since 1993 and are ready to review yours.

Contact our Milwaukee DUI attorneys today to discuss your case and explore your options.