Criminal Defense Attorney Clayton Griessmeyer has experience in Wisconsin and California representing criminal defendants. He helps criminal defendants and family members deal with the stress of a pending criminal case. 

As a criminal defense lawyer, Attorney Griessmeyer has helped people from diverse backgrounds including juveniles, law enforcment, medical professionals, teachers, business owners, Army, Marines, and many others. 

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CRIMINAL DEFENSE CASE EXPERIENCE

● Felony Drug Possession with intent

● Felony Drug Manufacturing-Mushrooms

● Felony Maintaining a drug trafficking place

● Misdemeanor Possess

● Possession with intent-cocaine

 ●Amphetamine/LSD/Psilocin

● Battery

● Attempt Battery

● Disorderly Conduct

● DUI first, second, third offense

● Intimidation of a Victim

● Operating After Revocation

● Open Container

● Retail Theft

● Theft of Movable Property

● Felony Theft from Business Setting

● Resisting or Obstructing an Officer

● Juvenile Crimes

● Trespass

● Wisconsin Criminal Appeal

● Felony Fleeing/Eluding an Officer

● Felony Reckless Endangerment

● Pandering 

● Graffiti

● Theft from Person

● Receiving Stolen Property

●Possession of Silenced Machine Gun

●Possession of butterfly knife

●Stalking

●PTSD as a defense to crimes

●Misdemeanor possession of cocaine

●Refusal to provide breath or blood sample

●Operating after revocation

● Municipal Ordinance violations

●Possession of drug paraphernalia

WISCONSIN DUI Laws.  Wisconsin law generally prevents drivers from either:  1. Driving in an unsafe manner as a result of alcohol or controlled substances or 2. Operating a motor vehicle with a prohibited alcohol content at the time of driving.  A prohibited alcohol content is generally a bac of .08 unless the driver is under 21 years old or has prior offenses and notice of a lower bac level (.02) or has a commercial driver's license.  Because there are two laws that apply (driving in an unsafe manner or with a .08 or higher) prosecutors have two chances to convict an alleged dui driver.  Note that although there are two separate laws, if convicted, a driver is only punished for one offense.  Note also that a refusal to provide blood or breath test evidence is separate from the above and if found unreasonable will result in a longer revocation and potential other penalties including an ignition interlock device.  If a driver refuses testing and is not forcefully compelled, there will be no charge of operating with a prohibited alcohol content because there is no proof of the bac level.  However, there will be a charge for OWI and also refusal. New Laws.  Beginning July 1, 2010, significant changes were made to existing Wisconsin DUI laws.  Many changes were created under "Act 100."  Major changes include: • 4th offense OWI is now a felony if it occurs within five years of a previous offense; • A first offense is a misdemeanor if a child under 16 is in the car • For the first time, judges are allowed to sentence drivers to probation placing a greater emphasis on treatment and prevention of future offenses, mandatory jail minimums still apply but successful probation can reduce the suggested sentence under the applicable sentencing guidelines;

Attorney Clayton Griessmeyer helps people who have been injured or wronged, with a focus on bike accidents and bicycle injury. 

If you have been injured in any type of accident, call for a free case evaluation.  Attorney Griessmeyer can travel throughout Wisconsin to meet with you and can visit you or your family at a location you choose including your house or the hospital. 

Griessmeyer Law Bike Blog

BICYCLE INJURY CASE EXPERIENCE

The following cases represent Wisconsin and California bicycle injury cases.  The Wisconsin cases were handled soley by Attorney Griessmeyer while the California cases were handled by Attorney Richard Duquette with help from Attorney Griessmeyer who worked as a law clerk and Associate Attorney.  Note that each case depends on the facts of the individual case and results vary.  Do not assume similar outcomes can be obtained:

● Bicycle Injury Jury Trial-Door County Wisconsin December 2011-3 days long. Jury Verdict in favor of bicyclist $98,099.69. ($80,000 pain and suffering)*  Lifelong bicyclist who bicycled across the State of Iowa (RagBri) eight times was struck from behind on a straight, flat, road on a sunny day. The 17 year old driver  admitted to police he struck the bicyclist just after he looked down at his radio.  After the driver lied under oath and said he called 911 (which was not true) Attorney Griessmeyer subpoeaned the driver's phone records.  The phone records showed approximately 500 incoming and outgoing text messages the day of the collision including several between the three minute period later idenitifed as the time of the collision.  The defense argued the driver texted while in his car just before he started driving.  The bicyclist was knocked unconscious and suffered permanent post concussion syndrome and a broken collarbone.  The investigating sheriffs cited the bicyclist for sudden movement into traffic and did not cite the driver even though he admitted on scene that he looked at his radio just before hitting the bicyclist on a straight, flat road, on a sunny day just after noon. Photographs taken at the scene showed skid marks crossing from left to right into the bicycle lane. The driver also admitted he did not give the bicyclist the minimum required three feet space before attempting to pass.  None of the deputies who testified at trial had heard of the three foot law.  By the time of jury verdict, a total of seven different lawyers had represented the various defendants.  The bicyclist was represented solely by Attorney Clayton Griessmeyer.  *The jury found the bicyclist 20% at fault, and the judge later reduced the verdict by $2,525.  Just before the trial started, the insurance company and its lawyer offered $30,000 to settle the case claiming they felt the jury would find the bicyclist at least 50% at fault. A mediator valued the case at about $25,000. The bicyclist did not have to pay any money back to his health insurance company for past bills or to his own car insurance company for medical payments.   This saved the bicyclist over $15,000.  Wisconsin.

Click to read interview of injured bicyclist.

● Former Division I scholarship athlete riding bicycle at night during storm with proper lights.  Bicyclist had a green light and traveled straight at an intersection. Car across from bicyclist turned left in front of him causing collision and ac joint separation.  Insurance company claimed bicyclist was at fault despite the fact police cited the driver for failure to yield and police noted bicyclist had proper lighting and right of way. This forced the bicyclist to file a lawsuit against the driver and insurance company.  After approximately 14 months of litigation, the case settled for $40,000. (Insurance company also paid $5,299.99 for the destroyed bicycle). Bicyclist had to pay $3,264.70 to the health insurance carrier for payment of past medical bills related to injuries + costs and attorney fee.  Wisconsin.

●Commuter bicyclist hit by unlicensed driver-suffered broken collarbone with two surgeries.  Insurance policy limits ($50,000) tendered without having to file lawsuit.  Insurance Company initially claimed bicyclist was partially at fault. Health insurance company waived entire lien saving client tens of thousands. Wisconsin.

● Elite level athlete hit by truck after the driver of the truck rolled a stop.  Bicyclist suffered road rash and ongoing headaches.  Case settled for $43,838.02 including damage to bicycle.  Bicyclist had to pay attorney fee and also pay $4,000 to health insurance company for past medical bills.  Wisconsin.

● Bike racer battered when road rage driver became irate, parked his car in the middle of the road and attacked the bicyclist.  Driver's insurance company refused coverage due to intentional act. Driver was charged with crimes. Case was settled without lawsuit.  Wisconsin.  Pro-Bono.

●Commuter bicyclist broke wrist trying to avoid car quickly pulling into parking lot in front of him at night.  Case settled without lawsuit despite insurance company initially claiming bicyclist was 100% at fault and $0.00 initial offer to bicyclist before he hired attorney Griessmeyer and after he gave a recorded statement to the insurance company. Health insurance lien reduced saving client money. Wisconsin.

●Ironman triathlete hit by car while training/running.  Case settled without lawsuit.  Health insurance lien reduced.  Wisconsin.

●Commuter hit by car and not injured but cited by the police.  Driver was not cited.  At trial, commuter bicyclist was found not guilty. Wisconsin.  Pro Bono.

●Triathlete with broken back from car/bike collision requiring back surgery (driver turned left in front of bicylist who was descending and could not stop) California

●Bicyclist collision with road rage driver outside of his vehicle resulting in broken hip requiring surgery (biker did not own a car and had ridden over 100,000 miles in his life.) California

●Cyclist with broken back and three separate hospital stays requiring major back surgery-California

●Commuter cyclist with concussion and mild traumatic brain injury from collision with truck

●Triathlete who suffered broken elbow after collision with debris negligently left in road at night-California

● Marine who suffered broken finger after collision with car (and other injuries which affected his military performance and career)-California

●Commuter and ultra-distance rider who collided with truck while training for an upcoming race (4 broken ribs, severe knee injury, hospital stay, and numerous other injuries)-California

 ●Cyclist who collided with back of vehicle resulting in knee injury and knee surgery-California

●Commuter who suffered shoulder injuries requiring surgery-California

 ●Long time bicycle racer struck by boat and trailer being pulled by truck resulted in arm surgery and the implantation of several screws to fix a badly damaged arm-California

●Bicyclist doored causing serious injury-California