Kenosha OWI Lawyer
Karen L. Michaelis

Think again—It's worth your time to fight that ticket.

Sure, it’s just one ticket now, but you don’t know the future. A failure to stop here, a speeding ticket there, and before you know it you’re facing driver's license revocation or even jail time.

If You Want to Tell Our Law Firm About Your Situation You Should:

Email or Call Us.

We Think You Should Hire Our Firm If:

You have been ticketed for a drinking or drug offense or you have a refusal. There are deadlines you should not miss. Call our Office as soon as possible after your arrest if you want quality representation from a trained attorney whose practice focuses solely on traffic offenses.

Our Firm is Not Right for You If:

You Do Not Want to Fight Your Ticket(s).

Our Clients Will Tell You That:

You will receive personal attention directly from the attorney handling your case. You will be informed of developments in your case in a timely manner.

Our Philosophy On How We Approach Our Cases Is:

We work hard to uncover all defenses available to you. You will be treated with care at this difficult and scary time. The process will be explained to you so you know what to expect.

If You Want To Learn More About Our Firm You Should:

Call the office or send an email.

Every time you accept a guilty plea and pay the fine, you add points to your driving record. If you get enough points, your life is going to change:

• your insurance will go up
• you may become ineligible for a commercial driver’s license or occupational driver’s license
• you will face more penalties every time you get another traffic charge
• you could have your driver's license suspended
• you could be identified as a habitual traffic offender and have your license revoked

Attorney Karen Michaelis Bio

Practice Areas:

• Traffic - Speeding, Operating While Under Influence( OWI, DUI, DWI ) Operating After Revocation or Suspension (OAR/ OAS)

States/Courts Admitted:
Wisconsin, Western District of Wisconsin

Counties Served:
Kenosha
Racine
Milwaukee

Courts Served:
Municipal & Circuit Courts in Kenosha County, Racine County, and Milwaukee County

Law School:
University of Wisconsin - Madison

Undergrad:
University of Wisconsin - Madison

Past Positions:
University Professor
Public School Teacher

Memberships:
State Bar Of Wisconsin

Firm Bio for Michaelis Law Office

Firm Mission Statement:
To Fight To Preserve Your Driving Privilege Through Thorough Case Preparation and with empathy and respect for client's individual needs.

Firm Established: 2003

Year Most Active Senior Member/ Active Partner Admitted: 1990

Wisconsin OWI Law Highlights: BAC Levels and Implied Consent (Table 1)

DEFINITIONS:
"Per Se" Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) Level
As of August 2005, all states have OWI laws that deem "per se intoxicated" any driver with a blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) at or above .08 percent. This means that drivers with a BAC at or above .08 are intoxicated in the eyes of the law, and no additional proof of driving impairment is necessary.

"Zero Tolerance" Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) Level
All states carry "zero tolerance" laws that target drivers under the legal drinking age. These laws penalize persons under 21 for operating a vehicle with any trace of alcohol in their systems (a BAC above 0.0), or with negligible BAC levels such as .01 or .02 percent.

"Enhanced Penalty" Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) Level
Many states impose harsher penalties on OWI offenders with a particularly high BAC at the time of the offense, typically .15 to .20 percent. OWI offenders with a BAC at or above their state's enhanced penalty standards will likely face additional jail time, harsher fines, and more severe driver's license sanctions.

"Implied Consent" Laws
"Implied consent" laws require vehicle drivers to submit to some form of chemical test, such as breath, blood, or urine testing, if suspected of OWI. If a driver refuses to submit to such testing, implied consent laws carry penalties such as mandatory suspension of a driver's license, usually for six months to a year.

Wisconsin OWI Law Highlights: Selected Penalties (Table 2)

Note: Persons arrested for OWI will be subject to additional criminal law penalties not addressed here -- including jail time, fines, and community service. Such criminal penalties are typically more discretionary than those identified in this chart, and are therefore more difficult to accurately predict. Generally speaking, first-time OWI offenders can expect to incur a fine, and face the possibility of jail time. Repeat OWI offenders will incur harsher fines, and will almost certainly be sentenced to a number of days in jail. Penalties will be harsher still if the OWI offender was involved in an accident in which someone else was injured or killed.

DEFINITIONS:
Administrative License Suspension/Revocation
The Administrative License Suspension/Revocation penalties indicated here refer to minimum mandatory penalties imposed on drivers whose BAC is above the state limit for intoxication, or drivers who refuse to submit to BAC testing. Administrative suspension or revocation of a driver's license is usually carried out by a state agency (such as a Department of Motor Vehicles), distinct from any criminal court penalties. Most states impose harsher penalties for second or third OWI offenses, typically defined as those that occur within five years of a prior OWI offense.

Note: the penalties identified here do not include variations for OWI offenders operating commercial vehicles, or drivers who have violated "zero tolerance" and "enhanced penalty" OWI laws (see Table 1). Most states recognize different sanctions for these types of OWI offenses.

Mandatory Alcohol Education and Assessment/Treatment
Alcohol education and treatment/assessment penalties for OWI offenders can include mandatory attendance at OWI prevention programs, and assessment of potential alcohol dependency problems. Such programs are often made "conditions" of a suspended sentence or probation, meaning that a OWI offender can avoid jail time and payment of hefty fines if he or she completes participation in the program. This chart indicates each state's utilization of alcohol education and treatment/assessment programs.

Vehicle Confiscation
Vehicle confiscation penalties allow a motor vehicle department or law enforcement agency to seize a OWI offender's vehicle, either permanently or for a set period of time. Such penalties typically apply only to repeat OWI offenders, and often the return of the vehicle requires payment of fines and significant administrative costs. This chart indicates each state's utilization of vehicle confiscation as a penalty for OWI.

Ignition Interlock
A vehicle ignition interlock breath-testing device measures a vehicle operator's BAC, and will prevent operation of the vehicle if more than a minimal amount of alcohol is detected (i.e. BAC level of .02). OWI offenders will usually be required to pay the costs of installation, rental, and maintenance of an ignition interlock device. This chart indicates each state's utilization of ignition interlock devices as a penalty for OWI.

COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

• TYPE OF CASES OUR FIRM HANDLES
  I handle many types of cases to bench and jury trials including OWI, Criminal and Traffic.

• WE THINK YOU SHOULD HIRE US IF:
  You want a lawyer who will personally handle your file and will be available for consultation afternoons, evenings and weekends. I will fairly evaluate your case and determine the most favorable course. I will not hesitate to go to trial on your case; that decision, however, will ultimately be yours.

• OUR FIRM IS NOT RIGHT FOR YOU IF:
  You are looking for a lawyer who will only tell you what you want to hear. I will work with you to honestly assess the facts of the case.

• IF YOU WANT TO TELL OUR LAW FIRM ABOUT YOUR SITUATION YOU SHOULD:
  I personally communicate with you whenever possible. If I am in Court when you call, you can leave a message. I personally guarantee you will hear back from me in 24-hours, or less - most often, much less. My office phone is (262) 997-0026.

• THE TYPICAL COST TO GET US TO START WORKING ON YOUR CASE IS:
  The cost varies depending on the allegation and facts of the case. A fee will be quoted at our initial consultation.

• OUR CLIENTS WILL TELL YOU THAT:
  My level of experience, knowledge of the law, and personal familiarity with the judges, prosecutors, and system is a great advantage. In addition my personal and regular contact with clients, availability and involvement with every aspect of the case bring the most favorable results.

• OUR PHILOSOPHY ON HOW WE APPROACH  OUR CASES IS:
  Depending on the type of case I like to find out as much as I can about the facts of the case and talk to anyone who can help our defense. At that time we can discuss our options. The stronger our defense appears to the prosecutor, the better our chances are of getting a favorable result.

• IF YOU WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR FIRM YOU SHOULD:
  During our free initial consultation I will answer any questions. Please call (262) 997-0026.