What is an OWI/DUI Lawyer in Wisconsin—and How Can They Help You?

If you're charged with OWI in Wisconsin (that means Operating While Intoxicated—drunk driving), you might feel lost and worried.

An OWI lawyer is a criminal defense attorney who specializes in OWI and related cases. Let’s break it down in clear terms—what they do and how they can help you.

Attorney Pat Stangl has over 30 years of experience fighting drunk driving charges—and winning tough cases across the state. Contact us for a free, confidential consultation now.

What Does an OWI/DUI Lawyer Do?

• They Explain What’s Going On: Your OWI lawyer will explain confusing legal stuff—like what a PAC charge means (it’s a blood alcohol charge)—so you understand what you’re facing and why it matters.

• Fight Administrative Penalties: They’ll open your DOT hearing (Department of Transportation license hearing) right away so your license isn’t suspended before the courts step in.

• Investigate the Evidence: Your lawyer looks into police reports, sobriety tests, breath/blood test results, and videos. They spot mistakes like a broken breath machine or bad test delivery that can help fight the charges.

• File Important Motions: They might file motions to suppress evidence, meaning the bad test results or illegal stop can be thrown out.

• Strong Negotiation and Defense: Even though Wisconsin limits how plea bargaining works for OWIs, a skilled lawyer can still negotiate better outcomes—or prepare the case for a strong trial—and fight for you every step of the way.

• Help After Resolution: Once the case is final, they can help you get an occupational license so you can drive legally for work or school during any suspension.

Why an OWI/DUI Lawyer Matters—In One Simple Story

Imagine you’re pulled over, fail (or skip) sobriety tests, and the breath test shows .12. Alone, it’s scary, and you could lose your license, maybe lose your job. But an OWI lawyer will:

• Check if the stop was legal

• Examine how sobriety tests were done

• Review breath/blood results for errors

• File motions to break evidence

• Ask for a DOT hearing to protect your license

• Negotiate or fight in court

• Protect your job and freedom

And that could make the difference between serious consequences or taking a chance at beating the case.

Real Win Stories from Stangl Law

Here are real examples of how Attorney Pat Stangl helped clients in tough OWI cases:

Steve’s Story: 7th OWI—Avoided Prison

Steve had multiple OWIs—7 in total—which would have meant mandatory prison. But Attorney Stangl found a major error in the way the state charged him. That mistake gave room to negotiate, and Steve's 7th offense got reduced to a different felony without prison time. He entered treatment court and had electronic monitoring instead.

Matthew’s Case: OWI Turned to Reckless Driving

Matthew crashed into a wall, “huffed” an inhalant, and was facing felony OWI charges. Stangl fought the case hard—filed motions to suppress damaging statements. In the end, Matthew’s OWI was downgraded to a simple reckless and inattentive driving charge—saving him serious consequences.

Multiple OWI/PAC Wins in a Month

In one intense month, Stangl scored three back-to-back wins on 5th/6th offense OWI/PAC cases. In those preliminary hearings, the officer gave false testimony—one client never even took the sobriety test claimed. All charges were dropped on the spot.

Not Guilty on OWI and PAC at Trial

In Hudson, WI, one client faced OWI and PAC charges. Even though his BAC was 3.5 times the legal limit, Stangl argued the blood evidence wasn’t supported by proof of operation time. The jury acquitted on both charges. It was the fourth jury “not guilty” verdict in a row for Stangl.

What to do if You've Been Arrested and Charged with OWI in Wisconsin

If you are facing OWI, DWI, DUI, BAC or PAC charges in Wisconsin, you should contact a skilled criminal defense attorney to assist in your defense as soon as possible.

Attorney Patrick Stangl explains why you should never give up hope when fighting repeat DUI/OWI charges in Wisconsin:

Criminal Defense Lawyer Patrick J. Stangl has been aggressively fighting to protect the rights of drivers accused of OWI and other drunk driving charges for over 30 years. He remains committed to protecting the innocent against OWI charges in Madison, Hayward and across Wisconsin.

If you’ve been arrested or charged with OWI in Wisconsin, it’s crucial you contact an experienced Madison OWI lawyer today. Contact Attorney Patrick Stangl for a free consultation: