As a Madison OWI attorney, I hear occasionally about individuals who believe they may be able to successfully represent themselves following an OWI charge. This may, of course, be true.

However when considering this option, please first understand that Wisconsin drunk driving laws will likely soon become more severe.

Last month (February 2013), the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that state legislators are now considering making a third OWI offense a felony, and removing the “maximum cap of $2,000 in fines and one year in jail.”

As the state begins to crack down on OWI offenders, having an experienced Madison OWI lawyer on your side has never been more necessary when facing a charge.

To help those of you at the start of your search, following are 3 important traits to look for in a Madison OWI lawyer.

1. He or She Has Extensive Experience in OWI and Criminal Litigation

As before, drunk driving laws in Wisconsin are becoming increasingly complex; but the reality is that OWI has always been a complicated charge:

  • In Wisconsin, offenders are now charged with both an OWI and a “per se” offense—driving with an excessive blood concentration—unless there’s a refusal of the chemical test.
  • Refusing to submit to a chemical test in the past can come back to haunt a person who refuses a second time even years later.
  • Drunk driving laws can vary widely from state to state.

When looking for a Wisconsin OWI attorney, be sure they’ve demonstrated long-term success in this particularly complex area of practice.

2. He or She Goes to Trial and Wins—Rather Than “Pleading Out”

Seems obvious, no? But the fact is that some attorneys habitually “plead out” their clients, meaning that they never actually go to trial.

Rather, hire a Madison OWI attorney with a reputation for going to trial when appropriate and winning their cases. You can usually spot a quality OWI attorney based on their membership in in the National College for DUI Defense.

Additionally, a lawyer’s reputation is the best indicator of their work ethnic, demeanor and past success. For possible options, consult family, friends, or even other attorneys.

3. Costs of Representation are Clear From the Beginning

The cost for hiring an OWI attorney will be based on a variety of factors, including the nature of the crime (felony or misdemeanor), the stage in the process (trial or appeal), of whether there will be ancillary costs associated with going to trial (independent lab fees, expert witness fees, etc.).

But in any case, the costs to you, the client, should never come by surprise. When engaging an OWI attorney for the first time—typically during an initial consultation—get a clear outline of their costs and any additional costs that might arise from a trial.

OWI Defense Success Story

Case Victory: Three Consecutive OWI/PAC 5th/6th Victories in One Month

Attorney Stangl of Stangl Law Offices, S.C. achieved three (3) back-to-back OWI 5th/6th victories within a one-month period in May-June 2023 thereby saving his clients from mandatory prison sentences. In State v. Shirikian, 2023 WI App. 13 the Court of Appeals held that the sentencing language for a 5th/6th OWI/PAC offense requires the sentencing court to impose a mandatory prison sentence upon conviction. Even if the sentencing court wanted to impose a non-prison sentence, they do not have the discretion or authority to do so under the current penalty structure for the offense and this decision.

In the first case Attorney Stangl successfully argued that one of his client’s prior convictions could not be counted because he was not properly advised of his right to counsel in a previous case and that the record did not demonstrate a free and voluntary waiver of his 6th amendment right to counsel. After investigating and researching the issue, Attorney Stangl brought a motion challenging the uncounseled conviction and after an evidentiary hearing the trial court agreed that the prior conviction could not be counted, thereby reducing the 5th/6th offense to non-mandatory prison charges.

Approximately 2 weeks later, in a different case, Attorney Stangl previously argued to the court that the arresting officer did not have a sufficient legal reason or probable cause to arrest his client on a 5th/6th OWI/PAC. After the evidentiary hearing and briefing by the parties the court issued a very thorough and analytical oral decision granting the defendant’s Motion to Dismiss and the case against his client was dismissed.

Within two weeks after the 2nd consecutive OWI/PAC 5th/6th victory Attorney Stangl secured his 3rd consecutive OWI/PAC 5th/6th victory within (1) one month with the dismissal by the State of charges during a preliminary hearing. At the preliminary hearing it was clear that the arresting officer testified falsely about the alleged events including his client’s performance on the field sobriety test (FST’s) when in fact his client never submitted to the FST’s. Once the State realized the major problem with the officer’s perjured testimony it moved for immediate dismissal of all the charges. His client will not be re-charged.

To schedule a FREE consultation with experienced Madison OWI lawyer Attorney Patrick Stangl, click here now.