01
License deadlines
Administrative review requests and refusal hearing requests made on time.
West Bend / Washington County, WI
West Bend
DUI / OWI Lawyer The first ten days.
What you do in the days right after an OWI arrest can protect your license and your options. VHD Law's West Bend office is close to where Washington County cases are heard.
Helping clients in West Bend and Washington County
ServingWest Bend, Wisconsin
CountyWashington County
VHD OfficeWest Bend
Practice FocusDUI / OWI Defense
The support you need to move forward
A short checklist for a stressful week.
After an OWI arrest in West Bend, most people go home with a stack of papers and very little explanation. Somewhere in that stack may be a notice about your license with a deadline of about 10 days. Somewhere else is a citation with a court date at the Washington County Justice Center.
Those two documents start two different processes. One is about your driving privileges; the other is the OWI charge itself. Handling them in the right order, and on time, is the most useful thing you can do in the first week. The rest of the defense builds on that.
Put the papers in one place, then call before the deadline does the deciding for you.
01
Gather every document
Citation, license notice, test result, bond paperwork and any property receipts.
02
Mark the license deadline
If a review or hearing can be requested, the window is short; put the date on your calendar.
03
Write down your timeline
Where you were, what you drank or ate and when, and what happened at the stop.
DUI / OWI Defense matters
OWI defense in
Washington County.
From our West Bend office, we handle OWI cases from the first notice through the final hearing.
02
First-offense cases
Forfeiture cases, possible penalties and the effect on your record and insurance.
03
Second and later offenses
Criminal OWI charges, how priors are counted and what penalties may apply.
04
Evidence review
Reports, recordings, field sobriety testing and chemical test records.
05
Court appearances
Representation at the Washington County Circuit Court and guidance at each stage.
Legal guidance for your community
OWI cases in West Bend
Washington County OWI cases are heard at the Justice Center in West Bend. Our office on South 5th Avenue is nearby, which makes it easy to meet before a hearing or drop off documents.
Stops in this area often happen on US-45, Highway 33 and Highway 144, and on the city streets around downtown. Whether the stop was made by city police, a county deputy or the State Patrol can affect where your paperwork comes from.
Call our West Bend office to schedule a consultation, and bring everything you received after the arrest.
Find Wisconsin court contact informationYour attorney can explain which local court or agency is involved once the details of your matter are known.
What happens next
What we do in the first meeting.
01
Read the paperwork with you
We identify each notice, what it means and what deadline it carries.
02
Handle what is urgent
If a review or hearing request is due, we address it first.
03
Hear your side
You tell us what happened; we note what to check in the evidence.
04
Lay out the road ahead
We explain the court process, likely timelines and decisions you will face.
A closer look at your options
DUI / OWI Defense for West Bend, Washington County.
Prior offenses change everything in an OWI case. In Wisconsin, a second offense is generally counted within a ten-year window, while third and later offenses look back over a lifetime.
If you have any prior OWI, in Wisconsin or elsewhere, tell us at the start so we can account for it.
Attorneys for your legal issue
Experienced Wisconsin counsel.
Get to know the VHD Law attorneys who work in this practice area. Contact our team to discuss appointments and your legal needs.
Criminal Defense & DUI / OWI
Nathan J. Dineen
Nathan represents clients facing criminal allegations and DUI/OWI matters in Wisconsin.
View Attorney ProfileFrequently asked questions
Questions about dui / owi defense in West Bend?
What West Bend drivers usually want to know right after an OWI arrest.
What should I do first after an OWI arrest in West Bend?
Find any notice about your license and check its deadline, then gather the rest of your paperwork and contact a lawyer. The license deadline is often the most time-sensitive part.
What is the difference between the license case and the OWI case?
The administrative suspension or refusal revocation affects your driving privileges and has its own process. The OWI charge is handled in court. Both can move at the same time.
Can I meet at your West Bend office?
Yes. VHD Law has an office at 246 S 5th Ave. in West Bend, close to the Washington County Justice Center.
Will a first OWI give me a criminal record?
A first offense is usually a civil forfeiture in Wisconsin, not a crime, though it still appears on your driving record and carries penalties. Some facts can make a first offense criminal.
How long does an OWI case take?
It varies with the court's schedule, the evidence and the decisions you make. Your attorney can give you a better sense of timing after reviewing your case.
More nearby communities
DUI / OWI Defense in Nearby Communities.
Find information and consultation options for nearby Wisconsin communities.
Related practice areas in West Bend
Explore Other Legal Services.
See other legal matters our team can discuss with clients in the area.
Let’s talk about your next step
A good next step starts
with a conversation.
Arrested for OWI in West Bend? Call our West Bend office this week and bring your paperwork so we can start with the deadlines.