OWI & Drunk Driving Defense Attorney in Neenah, WI
Just arrested for OWI in Neenah or the Fox Valley? The clock on your license is already running. Get honest answers at a free consultation, and one attorney who stays on your case from your first call to your final hearing.
- The clock is already running. You may have as little as 10 days to request an administrative review hearing before your license suspension locks in — waiting costs you the chance to fight it.
- Straight talk about cost. At your free consultation, we'll walk through what cases like yours typically cost, and tell you honestly whether your matter fits a flat fee or is the kind of case that needs phase billing as it develops.
- One attorney, every court date. Attorney Steven Johnson personally handles your case from your first appearance to final resolution — never a rotating roster.
- 4.4 ★ · 41 Google reviews
- 20+ years in local courts
- WI Bar #1048934
- Winnebago County owned & operated
OWI Defense
Why Neenah Chooses Johnson Law Firm S.C.
Every new client starts with a free, confidential consultation and an honest conversation about what their case is likely to cost. A real person answers the phone Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. — no AI intake bots, no runaround.
OWI Defense
What Is OWI & Drunk Driving Defense?
OWI and drunk driving defense is legal representation for anyone charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated in Wisconsin, covering everything from a first-offense civil forfeiture to a felony-level fourth offense. Wisconsin uses the term OWI (Operating While Intoxicated) rather than DUI, and the penalties escalate sharply with each subsequent offense, tracked for a driver's lifetime. A first offense is a civil, not criminal, matter, but it still carries a real license revocation and a mandatory alcohol assessment, and — unlike many other Wisconsin charges — an OWI conviction can never be expunged from your record.
At Johnson Law Firm S.C., Attorney Steven Johnson (WI Bar #1048934) has defended OWI cases in Winnebago and Outagamie County courts for more than 20 years. You won't be handed off to an associate. Call 920-730-8250 to talk through your situation, free of charge.
OWI Defense
Our Process: The First 10 Days Matter Most
An OWI case actually runs on two tracks at once — the administrative track that controls your license, and the criminal or civil track that controls your record. Here's how both move.
- Free Consultation & Honest Cost Conversation. We review your arrest and talk through what similar cases have cost, and whether yours is likely to fit a flat fee or need phase billing.
- The 10-Day Administrative Window. You generally have a short window, commonly around 10 days, to request a review hearing before your license suspension locks in automatically.
- Evidence Review. We examine the traffic stop, the field sobriety testing, and the breath or blood testing procedure for problems that can affect your case.
Initial Appearance (if criminal). For second offenses and above, or first offenses with aggravating factors, you'll have a formal court appearance. - Negotiation or Trial. Many first offenses resolve through negotiation; contested cases go to trial when that's the right call.
- Resolution & License Path Forward. We help you understand occupational license options and ignition interlock requirements.
OWI Defense
How Much Does an OWI Attorney Cost in Wisconsin?
Cost varies with offense number and complexity. A straightforward first offense may fit a flat fee, while repeat offenses or contested cases involving breath or blood test challenges typically require phase billing, since the amount of work a contested case demands is genuinely hard to predict up front. Call 920-730-8250 to get your specific quote.
What we can promise: an honest conversation about cost at your free consultation, plain talk about whether your matter is a flat-fee case or one that needs phase billing, and a heads-up before any additional work is added if your case's circumstances change.
OWI Defense
How OWI Penalties Escalate in Wisconsin
Wisconsin doesn't reset the clock on prior OWI offenses the way some states do, and the penalties climb sharply from one offense to the next.
| Classification | License Revocation | Jail / Prison | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Offense | Civil forfeiture | 6–9 months | None (typically) |
| 2nd Offense | Misdemeanor | 12–18 months | 5 days–6 months |
| 3rd Offense | Misdemeanor | 2–3 years | 45 days–1 year |
| 4th+ Offense | Felony | Up to lifetime* | Up to 6 years |
Whatever offense number you're facing, the strategy changes but the value of early representation doesn't.
Call 920-730-8250 and we'll walk through your specific charge honestly.
OWI Defense
You Can Lose Your License Before You're Ever Convicted
Losing your license doesn't require a conviction in Wisconsin — it's one of the most surprising and consequential facts about an OWI arrest, and it's exactly why the first 10 days matter so much. The administrative license revocation process runs on its own track, separate from whatever happens in your criminal or civil case. If your case is later dismissed or reduced, that administrative suspension doesn't automatically undo itself — it has to be challenged on its own terms, within its own deadline.
This is also where an OWI reaches further than just your commute. A suspended license can affect your ability to get to work, and a conviction can follow you into custody proceedings, professional licensing, and — for CDL holders — your livelihood itself. Call 920-730-8250 as soon as possible after an arrest so we can address the administrative and criminal sides of your case together, not one after the other.
OWI Defense
What's Included: Every Piece of Your Case, Handled by One Attorney
OWI cases involve more moving parts than most people expect. Here's what falls under this practice, and how each piece fits together.
First-Offense OWI
A first offense is civil, not criminal, but it still carries a real license revocation and alcohol assessment — and how it's handled can affect whether a second offense ever happens.
Second & Third-Offense OWI
Once a prior offense is on your record, Wisconsin treats the next one as a criminal misdemeanor with real jail exposure, making an early, thorough evidence review even more important.
Fourth & Subsequent Offense (Felony OWI)
A fourth offense within 15 years of a prior one becomes a felony, with sentencing exposure up to six years and the possibility of lifetime license revocation.
Administrative License Review
Your license can be suspended through an administrative process that runs separately from your criminal case, and requesting a review hearing within the short window available is often the single most time-sensitive step in the entire case.
Ignition Interlock Device Requirements
An ignition interlock device becomes mandatory at a BAC of 0.15 or higher on a first offense, and for nearly all repeat offenses, and understanding the installation timeline matters for keeping your daily life moving.
Chemical Test Refusal
Refusing a breath or blood test carries its own separate penalty track and license consequences, distinct from an OWI charge itself, and often surprises people who assumed refusing was the safer choice.
OWI & Commercial Driver's Licenses (CDL)
A CDL holder faces steeper consequences from an OWI than a standard license holder, often including a disqualification that affects a livelihood, not just a commute.
Related Criminal Charges
An OWI arrest sometimes comes bundled with other charges, and having one attorney handle the full picture avoids inconsistent strategy across separate cases.
OWI Defense
Why Neenah Chooses Johnson Law Firm S.C.
One attorney, every step
Steven Johnson (WI Bar #1048934) personally handles your case from your first appearance to final resolution — never a hand-off to a rotating associate.
Honest cost conversations, not empty promises
We'll tell you what similar cases have cost, whether flat-fee or phase billing fits your situation, and give you a heads-up if your case's scope changes along the way — no firm can promise a locked-in price, and we won't pretend otherwise.
20+ years in the courthouses that matter.
Winnebago and Outagamie County judges, prosecutors, and court commissioners know this firm.
A real person answers the phone.
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with no AI intake bot standing between you and an answer.
Criminal and family law under one roof.
If your OWI intersects with a custody case or another charge, one firm handles all of it.
Testimonials
What Fox Valley Clients Say
Reviews below are verbatim from Google. Reviewer neighborhoods are not published by Google — each card is labeled "Google Verified Review". Service labels are drawn from review content.
"Attorney Johnson gave very good advice on what steps to take for my case his paralegal Liz was amazing. She was very informative and kept me up-to-date on everything. She is amazing. I really appreciate everything that she did for me and helping assist with my case along with attorney Johnson as well. I gave five stars because I feel like Attorney Johnson was amazing but I also feel like his paralegal did a great job and what she does."
Leia G.
Google Verified Review · Criminal Defense
"Liz and Steve did a wonderful job on my case they got my case dismissed they both kept in great contact with me explained everything well I would recommend them highly Thank guys great job!!!"
Diana M.
Google Verified Review · Criminal Defense (case dismissed)
"Thank you very much on your help with my case. Mrs. Aherm was very helpful and kept me informed on all the details on my case. This is the team to go with 100% !!!"
Jesse O.
Google Verified Review
"Big thanks to Steve and Liz. Both are very helpful, listen, very skilled at there jobs and I'm eternally grateful! Thank you both!"
UP P.
Google Verified Review
Service Area
Serving Neenah, the Fox Cities & All of Winnebago and Outagamie Counties
Outagamie
- Appleton
- Grand Chute
- Kaukauna
- Little Chute
- Seymour
- Combined Locks
Calumet
- Chilton
- New Holstein
- Brillion
Winnebago
- Oshkosh
- Neenah
- Menasha
Brown
- Green Bay
- De Pere
- Howard
Waupaca
- New London
- Waupaca
- Clintonville
Shawano
- Shawano
- Bonduel
- Wittenberg
Fond du Lac
- Fond du Lac
- Ripon
- Waupun
Oconto
- Oconto
- Oconto Falls
- Lena
Kewaunee
- Kewaunee
- Luxemburg
- Algoma
Waushara
- Wautoma
- Coloma
- Redgranite
Manitowoc
- Manitowoc
- Two Rivers
- Kiel
Green Lake
- Berlin
- Green Lake
- Markesan
Door
- Stergeon Bay
- Sister Bay
- Ephraim
Sheboygan
- Sheboygan
- Plymouth
- Sheboygan Falls
Dodge
- Beaver Dam
- Watertown
- Mayville
OWI Defense
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens with a first OWI in Wisconsin?
A first-offense OWI is a civil forfeiture, not a crime, carrying a $150–$300 forfeiture plus a mandatory alcohol assessment and a 6–9 month license revocation. It can never be expunged.
How much does an OWI attorney cost in Wisconsin?
Cost varies with offense number and complexity. We'll give you an honest estimate at your free consultation and explain plainly whether flat-fee or phase billing fits your case. Call 920-730-8250 to get started.
How long do I have to challenge my license suspension?
Generally around 10 days to request an administrative review hearing before the suspension locks in. Call 920-730-8250 right away if you were arrested recently.
Can I lose my license even if I'm not convicted?
Yes. The administrative license revocation runs separately from your criminal case, so a suspension can take effect based on the arrest and BAC result alone, regardless of the eventual outcome.
What happens with a fourth OWI offense in Wisconsin?
A fourth offense is a felony, carrying up to six years in prison and possible lifetime license revocation if it occurs within 15 years of a prior offense.
Can an OWI be expunged in Wisconsin?
No. Unlike many other Wisconsin convictions, an OWI can never be expunged from your record, regardless of your age at the time of the offense.
Contact
Ready to Talk?
Your license suspension clock is already running, and it doesn't pause while you decide what to do. Talk to Attorney Steven Johnson today, free of charge.
Phone
920-730-8250
Address
2649 Cavalry Ln
Neenah, WI 54956
Hours
Monday – Friday
8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Our Legal Services
Full-Service Representation for Neenah & the Fox Valley
Criminal Defense in Neenah & the Fox Valley
Johnson Law Firm S.C. defends felony and misdemeanor charges throughout Winnebago and Outagamie counties — theft, retail theft, forgery, battery, disorderly conduct, drug charges, and traffic offenses. Wisconsin felony penalties run from 3.5 years to life under Wis. Stat. § 939.50, and even a Class A misdemeanor carries up to 9 months in jail, so early representation matters. Attorney Steven Johnson brings 20+ years of courtroom experience at the Winnebago County Courthouse and beyond, challenging stops, searches, and evidence while keeping you informed at every step. Free consultations with a written fee quote.
OWI / Drunk Driving Defense
A Wisconsin OWI conviction follows you forever — it can never be expunged. First offenses bring a 6–9 month revocation, $585+ in forfeitures and surcharges, a mandatory AODA assessment, and an ignition interlock at 0.15 BAC or higher; second offenses become criminal. We examine the traffic stop, field sobriety tests, and breath or blood testing for every client from Neenah, Appleton, Oshkosh, and the Lake Winnebago communities. Deadlines start immediately after arrest, so call 920-730-8250 before your court date.
Family Law & Divorce
Divorce, legal separation, child custody and physical placement, child support, CHIPS defense, restraining order petitions and defense, and guardianships for children and adults — handled by one attorney across Winnebago, Outagamie, and Calumet counties. We explain Wisconsin's 120-day waiting period, marital property presumptions, and the best-interest placement factors of Wis. Stat. § 767.41 in plain English, then put your strategy and fees in writing. From Doty Island to downtown Appleton, Fox Valley families get straight answers here — starting with a free consultation.
Wills & Estate Basics
A valid will keeps your property, your children's guardianship, and your final wishes out of dispute — and out of avoidable Winnebago County probate battles. Attorney Johnson drafts wills for Fox Valley families and pairs them with the guardianship experience the firm uses in family court every week. If you don't have a will, Wisconsin's intestacy statutes decide for you; an afternoon in our Neenah office fixes that. Ask about wills during any consultation.