OWI Tickets in Waukesha County

Getting an OWI/BAC charge in Waukesha County can be scary and frustrating. The best decision a person accused can make is to retain a qualified OWI defense lawyer. In interviewing attorneys one should ask: How experienced are you in this field? Do you get positive results in OWI cases? How well acquainted are you with courthouse personnel and local rules?

(262)569-8070

Experienced Aggressive Representation

State v. Carter Appeal No. 2008AP3144-CR

“zero tolerance” suspension under Illinois law is not a “conviction” within the meaning of WIS. STAT. § 343.307(1)(d), and therefore not “arising out of a refusal to submit to chemical testing” under § 343.307(1)(e)and the suspensions not counted under § 343.307.

State v. Carter Appeal No. 2008AP3144

“zero tolerance” suspension under Illinois law is not a “conviction” within the meaning of WIS. STAT. § 343.307(1)(d), and therefore not “arising out of a refusal to submit to chemical testing” under § 343.307(1)(e)and the suspensions not counted under § 343.307.

Court of Appeals Upholds Loss of Gun Privileges:Language of Complaint makes no difference

In 1996, Congress extended the prohibition on gun possession to persons convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence. See 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(9). Defense lawyers have for some time attempted to avoid this prohibition by negotiating with prosecutors to strike the domestic violence language from the criminal complaint and pleading their clients to “otherwise disorderly conduct.” In Koll v. The Dept. of Justice of the State of Wisconsin, 2008AP2027, the Court upheld the decision of the DOJ to deny Joseph Koll a handgun due to his plea to a charge of disorderly conduct that was amended so that it did not include domestic violence as an element but still involved a victim with whom he had lived in a domestic relationship. The Court wrote:

The question before us is whether Koll’s conviction for disorderly conduct prohibits him, under the Gun Control Act, from exercising his Second Amendment right to bear arms. The U.S. Supreme Court has unambiguously spoken, and the facts can lead to but one conclusion. Because Koll had a domestic relationship with the victim of his misdemeanor crime of disorderly conduct, he may not possess a gun.

Defendants accused of these types of offenses must have their matters thoroughly scrutinized. In a state like Wisconsin, where hunting is very popular and the right to bear arms is cherished, these charges must not be taken lightly. While domestic violence should not be tolerated and the congressional record reveals that the presence of a gun in a household increases the likelihood that a domestic incident will escalate to a homicide threefold, one’s constituional rights should not be abandoned in a cavalier fashion.

Happy New Year!

I hope you all had a happy and safe New Year. I wish you all the best in 2009.

Anyone who has read the Journal Sentinel in recent months must be aware of the fact that concern over the Drunk Driving issue has reached a very high level. It is likely that the legislature will enact changes in the OWI law in the current session. Changes proposed include criminalization of first offenses and classifying third offenses as felonies. Supporters argue that the changes would bring Wisconsin in line with most of the rest of the nation and toughen our stance on drunk driving. Detractors insist that large expense in the form of new judges, prosecutors, public defenders and increased cost of incarceration are not wise while Wisconsin faces a significant budget deficit. Perhaps increasing treatment options and lowering our number of citizens with substance abuse problems would be a better way to spend our tax dollars.

Helpful Information

I give most of my clients the following information on a folding business card. I thought it would be of value to those of you reading this blog. It is also on my web page. Remember, it helps you to assert your rights but does not give you license to be mouthy to police officers:

Officer, please understand I refuse to talk with you until I consult with my attorney. I also refuse to consent to any search of these premises, or any other premises under my control, or in which I have a possesory, proprietary or privacy interest, including my car, my body or effects. I hereby demand to immediately be allowed the reasonable opportunity to obtain the advise of my attorney by telephone.

I desire to exercise all my rights guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States and the State of Wisconsin, to be free from your interference with my person or affairs. If you attempt to question me, I want my lawyer present. I refuse to participate in any line-up or perform any physical acts (except OWI related tests), or to speak or display my person or property at your direction, without first conferring with my lawyer. If I am under arrest, I wish to invoke and exercise my Miranda rights. If you ignore my exercise of these rights and attempt to procure a waiver, I want to confer with my lawyer prior to any conversation with you. If I am to be taken into custody, removed from my present location, or separated from my property, I request a reasonable opportunity to make arrangements to secure my own property. I do not consent to any impoundment or inventory of my property. I do hereby waive any claim of liability for loss, theft or damage against you, your superiors, or any other authority, and agree to hold all harmless therefrom, if I am afforded the reasonable opportunity to arrange for the safekeeping of my own property. If this reasonable opportunity is denied or is unavailable, I demand that only such intrusion occur as is minimally necessary to secure such property, hereby waiving any claim of liability for your failure to scrutinize the property or its contents prior to it being secured.

If I am not under arrest I want to leave. If I am free to leave, please tell me immediately so that I may go about my business.

Even a Fish wouldn’t get caught if he’d keep his mouth shut.

Successful BAC Curve

I was recently able to obtain an amendment in an OWI 1st case. Because I was able to show the prosecutor that my client, who measured a .13 on the intoximeter may very well have been below .08 at the time of driving, the case settled for inattentive driving, a minor violation.

Ratings and Reviews

State Bar of Wisconsin