Wisconsin OWI First Offense

Operating while intoxicated. An OWI means drunk driving or driving under the influence – also commonly referred to as DUI, OWI, or DWI. It is a serious offense that our Milwaukee Wisconsin OWI law firm has decades of experience defending in Milwaukee courts. 

A first-offense OWI conviction in Wisconsin generally results in a fine and driver’s license revocation. Specific penalties can and will depend of factors of the case. For a first-offense OWI, you should not go to jail.

If convicted of a 1st Offense OWI, any future violations regarding operating a motor vehicle while under the influence will result in misdemeanor charge and jail penalties. The urgency of building a successful defense for your first offense OWI is paramount to preventing those future penalties (should that potential mistake occur).

This Wisconsin Statute, Section 356.63(3) states:
(a) “Drive” means the exercise of physical control over the speed and direction of a motor vehicle while it is in motion.
(b) “Operate” means the physical manipulation or activation of any of the controls of a motor vehicle necessary to put it in motion.

To drive a vehicle requires that the vehicle actually be moving.  To operate a vehicle merely requires the turning of the key, turning over the engine which is enough to commit the 'operate' portion of the statute. Prosecutors must be able to prove each element of an offense before you can be found guilty of that offense.

Assuming you weren’t under the influence of an intoxicant when arrested, the case could proceed to trial, at which, we would argue your innocence. 

For example, police officers need a reason to stop your vehicle. If they can’t provide probable cause for the traffic stop, we can argue against the inclusion of certain evidence.

Call the Best Milwaukee Drunk Driving Lawyers

Call Birdsall Obear & Associates.

Attorneys John A. Birdsall and Kirk B. Obear are Milwaukee criminal attorneys who have won countless cases over the past decades. Their aggressive defense strategy is unsurpassed and has placed them among the best Criminal Defense Lawyers in Milwaukee.

DUI and OWI charges many times carry special circumstances that only the Milwaukee criminal lawyers of Birdsall Obear & Associates will know how to confront, confidently and efficiently... and win your case.

Our OWI Defense Lawyers in Milwaukee know how to confront and challenge illegal police action, whether it's improper search technique or other violations, if we find that your constitutional rights were violated, your case could be dismissed.

Our lawyers are simply the best OWI law firm Wisconsin has to offer. Contact our Milwaukee Criminal Attorneys at Birdsall Obear & Associates.