Thursday, September 20, 2012

September 10, 2012: OWI-1st (with .14 breath test result) Reduced to Non-Traffic City Ordinance Violation

Sometimes drunk driving arrests happen when you least expect them. RDR's case is a perfect example of this. It's also a perfect example of the lengths to which police officers will go to enforce Wisconsin's drunk driving laws in this day and age. When RDR showed up at the local police department to pick up his friend who had been arrested for drunk driving, he had no idea he was walking right into an arrest himself. But when a police officer smelled alcohol on RDR's breath when he arrived for his friend's release, the accusations quickly flew.  Before he knew it, RDR was locked up right next to his friend. This was devastating to RDR. As a logger, RDR was required to work long hours and operate all sorts of company vehicles to do his job. A drunk driving conviction was something that RDR just could not fathom. After all, he had gone his entire life without any type of traffic violation whatsoever and he could not bear the thought of having the life-altering stain of a drunk driving conviction blemish his record, and his future. He had to do something. Fortunately, RDR had heard about Dennis Melowski's recent jury trial win in the same community where RDR was arrested. He gave Dennis a call and hired him immediately. Dennis got to work right away, laying the groundwork for RDR's defense through careful questioning of one of the police officers at RDR's administrative suspension hearing. Dennis was so successful in undermining this officer's credibility that Dennis sent a copy of the hearing transcript right to the prosecutor in charge of the case. When the prosecutor read the officer's testimony, he knew the case was in big trouble. After some negotiations with Dennis, a fantastic deal was reached. The original drunk driving charges were dropped. Instead, RDR plead no contest to a local city ordinance violation for Outside Consumption of Alcohol in Public. This non-traffic violation is an extremely minor offense and carries no suspension or revocation of driving privileges. In fact, it won't even appear on RDR's driver record. Aside from paying a fine of $389.50, RDR suffered  no consequences in this case. Most importantly, he avoided the terrible stigma of being a convicted drunk driver. Needless to say, he's very happy.  

Monday, September 10, 2012

August 27, 2012: OWI-1st Reduced to Inattentive Driving

In a departure from how we normally describe the successful outcome of a client's DUI case, we have chosen to let this particular client describe his outcome (and extreme satisfaction) in his own words. This is the review of Dennis Melowski's work that the client posted on an online attorney rating service (www.avvo.com). We think you'll agree, we couldn't have said it any better ourselves:

  1. In April of this year,I was pulled over by the police for DUI/DWI. A lawyer who was handling my divorce at the time recommended a lawyer he knew well who handled DUI/DWI. I met with this lawyer but did not feel comfortable with him as my attorney representing me in this case. He said I should get a second opinion and meet with another lawyer. He suggested Dennis Melowski. I called Mr. Melowski to schedule a meeting so we could review my case.

    I did some inquiries into Mr. Melowski's reputation in handling DUI/DWI cases and in every instance my inquiries came back as Mr. Melowski was the best DUI/DWI lawyer in the state. From our initial meeting I knew I wanted Dennis Melowski to represent me. He immediately put me at ease and I could recognize his professionalism and knowledge of the law. I have a commercial drivers license for my job so I couldn't afford to lose my license if found guilty. With Mr. Melowski hard work and dedication,I was able to keep my commercial drivers license and my job leading up until my court date. As of this past Thursday,I was informed by Mr. Melowski that in working with the district attorney,the charge had been reduced to inattentive driving and I would not lose my license or my job and would not have to go through a court trial.

    I cannot begin to describe the tremendous weight that has been lifted off my shoulders. Anyone who reads this review if you need the best DUI/DWI lawyer in the state of Wisconsin make sure that your first call is to Dennis Melowski. I heard he was the best lawyer and look at my results. He simply is the finest lawyer to handle your DUI/DWI case.

August 23, 2012: OWI-1st (with .166 blood test result) Reduced to Reckless Driving

As a regional account manager for a major auto parts supplier, MRL's job required him to have valid driving privileges at all times. To drive his company vehicle, to rent cars in other states, and as a general requirement of the company's code of conduct, MRL could not, under any circumstance, be convicted of drunk driving. So when MRL was arrested for his first-ever DUI offense, he thought his professional life might be over. And with good reason. The case against him initially looked quite strong. He was called in by another driver and allegedly failed the field sobriety tests on camera. Even worse, he had a roadside breath test result over the legal limit and a subsequent blood test revealed a .166 BAC level. Several attorneys MRL spoke to painted a very bleak picture. But one attorney told MRL not to give up hope and urged him to contact Dennis Melowski. This attorney had seen Dennis speak at legal seminars and was well aware of Dennis' unmatched record of success in defending cases just like MRL's. After meeting with Dennis, MRL knew Dennis was up to the task of saving his job. And that's just what Dennis did. From convincing the judge to stay MRL's administrative suspension, to unearthing several promising legal issues in MRL's case, Dennis fought for MRL at every turn. And on the afternoon of MRL's motion hearing, Dennis' efforts paid off in a big way. Dennis was able to convince the prosecutor to drop the drunk driving charges. Instead, MRL plead guilty to Reckless Driving, a non-alcohol-related driving offense which carries no loss of driver's license and no ignition interlock device installation, which would have been mandatory had MRL been convicted of the original charges due to his high blood test result. In fact, aside from paying a fine, MRL suffered no consequences from his arrest. More importantly, his job was saved. He couldn't be happier.