(262) 786-7100
Madison's OWI defense attorneys Amy Scholz, Tom Grieve, and the team of OWI lawyers at Grieve Law help Madison residents dismiss or reduce their drunk driving charges. We offer criminal defense legal services for 1st offense OWI, 2nd offense OWI, and all other OWI offenses.
If you are facing OWI charges in Madison, call Grieve Law's criminal defense attorneys at (608) 405-2071 for a free case consultation.
Amy Scholz
OWI & Criminal Defense Attorney
The Madison OWI lawyers at Grieve Law Criminal Defense are amongst the most educated & experienced defense 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 defense 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 criminal defense 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 criminal defense law office today.
In Wisconsin, a drunk driving charge can occur any time someone operates a motor vehicle with a blood or breath alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or more. To receive an OWI in Wisconsin, the driver must be under the influence of an intoxicant such as alcohol (beer, wine, spirits, etc.) or drugs (marijuana, cocaine, etc). Drunk driving in Wisconsin goes by many different names: Operating While Intoxicated (OWI), Driving While Under the Influence (DUI), Driving While Intoxicated (DWI), Drunk Driving, or Operating While Impaired. The correct, legal term used in Wisconsin statutes is OWI.
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 Prarie | 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 criminal defense attorney who specializes in OWIs is highly recommended for anyone looking to get charges reduced or dismissed. A knowledgeable OWI attorney will be able to analyze the facts of your case to develop a strong defense to implement in court. Our experienced OWI attorneys at Grieve Law know how to navigate the court system and apply Wisconsin’s drunk driving 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 Criminal Defense, 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: Prior convictions in conjunction with OWI. Wisconsin Statute § 343.307(1)(d) |
"I couldn't have asked for a better, more caring and competent attorney and I will say that to anyone, anytime!"
I must say I am very thankful Grieve Law was introduced into my life. I had Attorney Julia Westley represent me in a case for a WI OWI charge. Among all the work she did for me, what meant to me the most is she never doubted my word against the arresting officer's. Over the one year the case had been ongoing, she was able to get the charge dropped from a 3rd offense, to a 2nd offense, to the case being dismissed altogether. I am quite certain if I would have worked with a public defender, I would have been encouraged to plea guilty and accept the prosecutor's offer, which was basically agreeing to serve almost the maximum amount of jail time for a 2nd OWI offense (learn more about 2nd OWI Wisconsin penalties). Although the last 10 months have been beyond stressful, without Julia's hard work on my case, her honesty with me, and the thorough explanations she provided to me about my options and the possible resulting outcomes, I can say with almost complete certainty things would have turned out a lot differently; it is amazing what a conclusion can be when you have someone fighting for you from the very start all the way up until the end. I highly recommend Grieve Law and Attorney Westley.
"Tom Grieve was absolutely the most communicative lawyer I have ever encountered and I was always able to reach him quickly. His professionalism, humanity and understanding were beyond what I could ever hope for. He has the right connections and impressive negotiation skills. His fees are fair and he always tries to find the quickest and cost-effective solution to resolve a case. I would highly recommend him as your attorney."
"...I'm writing to thank you for doing such a great job winning my case. I am very grateful to have met you and have you as my lawyer. I cannot imagine finding anyone better; your communication during the process could not have been better and I always felt like you always went the extra mile and made sure I was informed during the entire process. If I ever need anything regarding the law, I will continue to use you going forward; I have already had and will continue to recommend you to my friends and family. Thank you again!"
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.
