The Advantages of Hiring a Criminal Defense Lawyer for Your DUI/OWI Case
If you are facing a DUI/OWI charge in Wisconsin, you have several options for legal representation in court. You can choose to represent yourself, accept a public defender, or hire a criminal defense lawyer. While all of these options have their pros and cons, hiring a criminal defense lawyer is often the best decision an individual can make in these types of cases. This is because criminal defense lawyers have the time, experience, and knowledge necessary to fight aggressively for you and achieve the best possible outcome in court.
At Fenton Law Office, Attorney Jay Fenton helps individuals who have been charged with DUI/OWI in Milwaukee and surrounding communities with expert criminal defense services. Attorney Fenton has contributed to successful outcomes in many DUI/OWI cases. When you hire Attorney Fenton, he will be by your side every step of the way to ensure that your rights are protected. Learn more about how Attorney Fenton can help you with your drunk driving case.
In this blog post, we will discuss the advantages of hiring a criminal defense lawyer for your DUI/OWI case. But first, let’s learn a little more about DUI/OWI charges in Wisconsin.
The Penalties for DUI in Wisconsin
In Wisconsin, a first DUI offense is considered a criminal misdemeanor. If convicted, you could face the following penalties:
- Fines up to $500
- Up to nine months suspension of your license
- Mandatory alcohol assessment and treatment
For a second DUI offense that occurs within 10 years of the first, the penalties become more severe. You could face the following penalties if convicted of a second DUI:
- Fines up to $1,100
- Up to six months in jail
- Up to nine months suspension of your license
If you are facing a third DUI offense, you will be charged with a felony. The penalties for a third DUI conviction continue to become more severe.
For cases in which the drunk driver caused injury or death to another person, the penalties are astronomical. However, even a first DUI offense can come with serious consequences. That’s why you will want to hire a Milwaukee criminal defense lawyer like Jay Fenton to represent you in court.
Here are just a few advantages of hiring a criminal defense lawyer for your DUI/OWI case:
Knowledge & Experience. One of the biggest advantages of hiring a criminal defense lawyer is that they have the knowledge and experience necessary to build a strong defense on your behalf. They know how to investigate DUI/OWI cases and look for any weaknesses in the prosecution’s case. This could be anything from challenging the results of a field sobriety test to questioning the calibration of the breathalyzer machine that was used to test your blood alcohol content (BAC).
A criminal defense lawyer will also be familiar with the DUI laws in Wisconsin and will know how to best navigate the court system. This is important because, if you are charged with a DUI, you will likely have to go to court several times. Having an experienced attorney by your side will give you the best chance of achieving a favorable outcome in your case.
Support. Facing DUI charges can be a very stressful and emotional experience. A criminal defense lawyer will be there to support you and answer any questions that you have throughout the process. They will also keep you updated on what is happening with your case so that you are always aware of what to expect next.
Time. Most people who are charged with DUI/OWI are not familiar with the court system or the legal process. This can make it difficult to take time off from work or other obligations to deal with their case. When you hire a criminal defense lawyer, they will handle all of the paperwork and legwork for you so that you can focus on your life.
Aggressive Representation. A criminal defense lawyer like Jay Fenton will fight aggressively to get you the best possible outcome in your case. This could mean working out a plea deal with the prosecutor, getting the charges against you dropped altogether, or taking your case to trial. No matter what, your attorney will always have your best interests in mind and will work tirelessly to achieve the best result for you.
If you have been charged with DUI/OWI in Wisconsin, contact Attorney Jay Fenton at the Fenton Law Office today. He is an experienced criminal defense lawyer who has helped many clients facing DUI charges achieve favorable outcomes in their cases. Call (414) 858-6650 to get started.
