Drunk Driving Defense Attorney
If you have been arrested for drunk driving, you need a tough, experienced lawyer. The penalties for drunk driving in Wisconsin are quite severe, especially if you are on your second or third offense.
The Carlton H. Schuh Law Office, S.C., can help. I have been a practicing attorney in the Appleton area for almost 20 years and I have extensive experience as a Law Enforcement Officer prior to becoming a lawyer. I know how the law and the procedures work in a way that many lawyers don't.
The Two Main Tests in an OWI Case
If a police officer stops you for Operating While Intoxicated (OWI, often called DWI, DUI or just drunk driving), there are two main tests that the officer will perform:
- The portable breath testing unit: This is a small, black, hand-held unit that analyzes your blood-alcohol content quickly. It is however, inadmissible in court and an arresting officer should be using this only as a screening device. It is important to note that even this screening device can only be used if the officer has a reasonable suspicion that you were driving dunk.
- The Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN): Alcohol depresses the central nervous system. An intoxicated person's eyes stare at a 45 degree angle or track a slow-moving object smoothly. During an OWI stop, the officer will move a pen or a pen-light in front of your eyes slowly, or hold it steady at a 45 degree angle, watching your eyes for jerking. This is admissible in court, but I have experience finding mistakes in this procedure to have the evidence suppressed.
Traffic Violations
I also represent clients accused of other traffic violations that don't involve alcohol. If you are charged with a traffic violation as simple as speeding or something as serious as vehicular homicide, I will fight to get you the most favorable sentence possible. I also offer flat-fee services for traffic violations, so you know from the start exactly what you will be paying for my services, with no surprises about the fee.
Valuable Counsel
For all my criminal defense cases, including OWI and other traffic violations, I have the experience to give my clients sober counsel about their case. If the case is good, we'll fight it and probably win; but if it isn't, your best bet is to plea for a lesser sentence.
Also, I have resources for my OWI clients to get the help they need through various treatment programs and other resources.
Call my Appleton office or home office, or send me an e-mail for a free initial consultation.
