If you are here, you are likely dealing with an OWI or DUI charge and trying to understand what it means for your future. It’s normal to feel unsure and overwhelmed, especially when your license, your work, and your stability are on the line. At Kim & LaVoy, our role as your OWI / DUI defense attorney is to help you understand your situation and guide you forward with clarity and confidence.
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Do I Need A Lawyer For A Drunk Driving Offense?
It is completely natural to hesitate, especially when you are unsure how serious your situation is or what to do next. Many people facing OWI or drunk driving charges in Milwaukee, WI, find themselves weighing their options, wondering how this could affect their driver’s license, job, and future.
We are here to help if:
- You were arrested or charged with an OWI or DUI and do not know what happens next
- You are worried about your record, work, or background checks
- You feel overwhelmed by the criminal justice process
- You have received mixed advice and are unsure what to believe
- You are thinking about pleading guilty, but are not fully confident in that decision
You do not need to have everything figured out before speaking with our criminal defense attorneys. A clear conversation can help you understand your options and take the next step with confidence.
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What Does This OWI/DUI Charge Mean For You?
An OWI charge often reaches beyond the legal process and into everyday life in ways that are not always immediately obvious. While the legal side matters, many people are more concerned about how this situation will affect their daily routine, responsibilities, and sense of stability. This uncertainty can feel heavy, especially when everything is happening quickly. [Wisconsin Department of Transport]
Depending on your situation, this may affect:
- Your ability to drive and how you manage daily responsibilities like work, school, or family commitments
- Your job or professional standing, particularly if your role depends on a clean record or reliable transportation
- Your insurance costs, which can increase and remain higher for years
- Future opportunities, including background checks for employment, housing, or travel
- Your sense of stability and peace of mind, as uncertainty about what comes next can weigh on you day to day
Even when this is a first offense, it can feel like a lot to take in at once, especially when you are trying to understand everything while also managing your normal life. That is where we come in to assist you with navigating this process.
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Our DUI Defense Attorney Approach and What Happens Next
When you are facing drunk driving charges, it can feel like everything has already been decided, but many OWI cases depend on details that need to be carefully reviewed. At Kim & LaVoy, we take the time to understand your situation, clearly explain your options, and build a defense strategy tailored to your unique circumstances. When you contact our Milwaukee criminal defense firm, here is what happens:
Step 1: You reach out to our criminal defense law firm
Step 2: We listen and review what happened
Step 3: We explain your options and defense strategy
Step 4: We begin building your defense
Our goal is simple: to protect your rights, help you understand the process, and support you in making informed decisions about your future.
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Why Clients Choose Kim & LaVoy
Choosing the right criminal defense attorneys is about more than credentials. It is about trusting a law firm that understands what you are going through and takes your situation seriously from the start. At Kim & LaVoy, our focus is on helping you move forward, not just through court, but beyond it.
When you work with us, you can expect:
- Direct access to attorneys from your first call
- Insight into how drunk driving charges and criminal offense cases are evaluated
- A focus on you as a person, not just your case
- Clear communication with a flat fee structure
- A team approach that strengthens your defense strategy
- A strong track record in trial advocacy
“What really makes a great defense attorney from just an average one is just someone that really cares about what they’re doing,” says Julius Kim, Managing Director of Kim & LaVoy S.C. “Many of our clients come to us, unsure of what happens next. Our role is to help you understand your penalties, protect your driver’s license where possible, and guide you toward the best course for your future.”
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Frequently Asked Questions About Drunk Driving Law in Wisconsin
Even if this is your first offense, speaking with criminal defense attorneys can make a significant difference. In Wisconsin, operating a vehicle with a BAC level at or above the legal limit of 0.08, or while impaired by intoxicating substances, can still lead to criminal charges, fines, and license consequences. [Wisconsin Department of Transport]. Working with experienced Milwaukee OWI lawyers, like us, ensures you have proper legal representation from the start. Our role is to represent you, explain your rights, and build an OWI defense that helps you understand your options and avoid overly severe consequences.
Field sobriety tests and a handheld breathalyzer are often used by a police officer during a traffic stop to assess impairment. These tests can vary depending on conditions such as lighting, weather, and how they are administered. However, these results are not always definitive. [Wis. Stat. § 343.305] In many impaired driving cases, factors like reasonable suspicion, testing procedures, and how chemical testing or a blood test was conducted can all be reviewed. A strong drunk driving defense will closely examine these details to identify weaknesses, using forensic science, applicable law, and sound legal strategies.
In Wisconsin, the legal limit for most drivers is a BAC level of 0.08. However, you can still face criminal charges even if you are below that level if a police officer believes you are impaired. The law also applies if you have a detectable amount of certain controlled substances in your system, or if you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol. For drivers with three or more OWI convictions, the legal limit is 0.02. Commercial drivers and underage drivers are also held to stricter standards. This is why legal help is important, as each case depends on how the law applies to your specific situation. [Wisconsin Department of Transport]
Penalties for drunk driving charges in Milwaukee County vary depending on your history and the circumstances of your case. A first offense may involve fines and license restrictions, while repeat offenses carry more severe consequences. For example:
- A second OWI involves mandatory jail time and an ignition interlock device
- A third OWI carries a mandatory jail sentence of 45 days and can result in up to one year in jail along with higher fines and longer license revocation periods
- More serious cases can lead to prison sentences and the permanent loss of a person’s license
These penalties vary by case, which is why working with criminal defense attorneys who are intimately familiar with the Milwaukee area and court proceedings, like our team at Kim & LaVoy S.C, can help you determine the best course of action. [Source]
A strong defense begins with understanding the full picture of what happened. Our Milwaukee OWI lawyers focus on reviewing every detail of your case to determine how to move forward. This may include:
- Examining whether the traffic stop was lawful
- Reviewing how evidence was obtained and how chemical testing was conducted
- Looking at the BAC results and whether they accurately reflect levels at the time of driving
- Identifying legal challenges or proof problems in the case
The goal is to build a defense strategy tailored to your unique circumstances, protect your rights, and guide you through court with clear legal representation. At Kim & LaVoy, helping clients understand their situation and move forward with confidence is always the priority.
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If you are facing OWI charges, DUI allegations, or any other criminal charges in Wisconsin, you do not have to navigate this alone. These situations can move quickly, and the decisions you make early on can affect your experience in court, your potential fines, and your future. At Kim & LaVoy, we are here to listen, guide you through your options, and help you take the next step forward.
Book Your ConsultationAreas We Serve
At Kim & LaVoy, we represent clients across the state of Wisconsin, with a strong presence throughout the Milwaukee area. Whether your case is in a larger city or a surrounding community, you can expect the same level of attention, guidance, and support.
We regularly serve clients in:
- Milwaukee
- Brookfield
- Waukesha
- Wauwatosa
- West Bend
- West Allis
- and other counties throughout Wisconsin
Our team is familiar with local court systems across these areas, which allows us to guide you through the process with clarity and confidence, no matter where your case is based.
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Legal Disclaimer
The information provided on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every criminal case is unique, and the facts of your specific situation may result in different outcomes than those described here. Reading this content does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and Kim & LaVoy S.C. or any of its attorneys. Wisconsin law is complex and subject to change. For legal advice tailored to your individual circumstances, please contact Kim & LaVoy S.C. directly to schedule a consultation.