Michaelis Law Office
.08: If You Blow It, Call Me
Home
Drunk-Driving Defense
Traffic Violations
Attorney Profile
Web Resources
Contact Me

Drunk-Driving Defense in Southeastern Wisconsin

Kenosha drunk driving lawyer Karen Michaelis

Consequences of Refusing the Breathalyzer Test

FIELD TEST: Many people think that when the police ask you to submit to a breath test after you are pulled over, you have the right to refuse.

You CAN refuse this preliminary breath test and your driver's license won’t automatically be suspended, BUT a refusal will be used against you in your OWI case.

SECOND TEST: The police will ask you to take an Intoxilyzer test at the police station, or they will ask you to submit to a blood draw. These tests provide the evidence they will use in bringing a drunk-driving charge against you.

If you refuse these tests, your driver's license will automatically be suspended for 12 months.

Should you refuse the tests? My advice is that it is best to be cooperative and submit to both. Leave it to me to fight the charges from there.

Did you already refuse a breath test? It’s not too late. We can request a refusal hearing in circuit court. That hearing will give me a chance to present the case that the officer didn’t have a good reason to pull you over.

.08: If you blow it, call me.

Drunk driving. DWI / DUI. Operating while intoxicated. In Wisconsin, we call it OWI. Whatever you call it, it’s serious business in Wisconsin.

Whether you were pulled over for drunk driving, drunk boating, operating a snowmobile under the influence, or driving an ATV while intoxicated, your life could change dramatically if you are found guilty.

Too many people don’t fight a first OWI (operating while intoxicated) charge because they think they have no defense. That may not be the case. Contact me, Kenosha OWI defense attorney Karen Michaelis, to see if I can fight your charges or minimize the consequences of an OWI.

Fighting Drunk-Driving Charges

An OWI conviction is not always a "slam dunk" for the police. Even if you blew a .08 or higher, there could have been a problem with the Breathalyzer or Intoxilyzer equipment or the way the test was administered. You may have been the victim of an unlawful police stop, or the police may have failed to establish probable cause to arrest you. An experienced drunk-driving defense lawyer will explore these options.

Are you being charged with multiple offenses—Drunk driving, reckless driving, driving on a suspended license? Even if we can’t get the drink-driving charge dismissed, we can sometimes get other charges dismissed or reduced.

You’ve Only Got 10 Days to Save Your Driver's License!

You have 10 days to request an administrative suspension hearing after you receive notice that the state intends to suspend your driver's license. If you don’t request that hearing, your license will automatically be suspended.

If you request a hearing and the police officer hasn’t filed his report or fails to comply with statutory requirements, your license won’t be suspended while you are fighting the OWI. If the officer shows up, we gain information that will help us in preparing your OWI defense.

It Pays to Fight Your Drunk-Driving Charge

Whether you are facing your first offense or a repeat drunk-driving charge, it almost always pays to fight. Contact my Kenosha defense law office for a free initial consultation to learn more.

 

Kenosha WI OWI Lawyer Dane County Drunk Driving Defense Attorney Wisconsin

Michaelis Law Office
Call Toll-Free (866) 312-8872

5707 Sixth Avenue
Kenosha, WI 53140
Fax: (262) 997-0028
Map and Directions ● E-Mail Me


In Kenosha: (262) 997-0026 ● In Lake Geneva: (262) 248-1550
The Michaelis Law Office defends people charged with drunk-driving, traffic violations, and misdemeanor crimes in southeastern Wisconsin (and many clients from northern Illinois vacationing in Wisconsin). Kenosha/Walworth criminal defense attorney Karen Michaelis represents clients facing charges in areas such as Kenosha, Madison, Verona, Middleton, Lake Geneva, Racine, Elkhorn, Salem, Burlington, Waterford, Williams Bay, Whitewater, Fontana, Delavan, East Troy, and Twin Lakes, and other communities along I-94, Highway 158, and Highway 50, and Dane County.
Dane County • Walworth County • Racine County • Kenosha County • Waukesha County

The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for individual advice regarding your own situation.

Copyright © 2008 by Michaelis Law Office. All rights reserved. You may reproduce materials available at this site for your own personal use and for non-commercial distribution. All copies must include this copyright statement.