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J. Steven House
also known as Steven House
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About J. Steven
Biography
Steven House brings a real world perspective to the practice of law having worked in restaurants, landscaping, roofing, retail, painting, volunteer work with an international environmental law organization and heading up the Southern Illinois NORML chapter prior to entering law school. Since graduating from law school with honors, Steven House has dedicated his career to defending those accused of crimes and always dedicating some portion of his practice to protecting the poor and those charged with marijuana offenses at discounted rates. Unlike the great majority of lawyers in Wisconsin, Steven House has demonstrated the competency and skills needed to handle the rigours of being an attorney by passing the bar exam in both Tennessee and Wisconsin (Wisconsin law school graduates are not required to take a bar exam to pracice law i the state).
At the House Law Office we consider criminal defense to be a critically important and honorable function in society rather than a way to make money. As such we treat our clients with the dignaty, respect, attention and care that they deserve; fighting for the best possible results tailored to each individual's objectives and their circumstances.
Reasonable flat rate fees for experienced and aggressive defense of OWI charges.
Experienced and successful post-conviction and appellate representation in criminal cases.
Client tailored negotiation and defense of traffic offenses, civil and criminal.
Aggressive, client oriented defense to preserve your rights and obtain the best result in your case.
Aggressive, client oriented defense to preserve your rights and obtain the best result in your case.
Practice Areas
4
Practice Areas
Criminal Defense
50%
27 years
DUI and DWI
40%
27 years
Appeals
5%
27 years
Speeding and Traffic Ticket
5%
27 years
Fees and Rates
Cost
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
Awards
2020 2019 2018
...
+
5
2019 2018 2016
...
+
3
Licenses
Licensed in Wisconsin for 20 years
State: Wisconsin
Acquired: 2006
No misconduct found
Licensed in Tennessee for 26 years
State: Tennessee
Acquired: 2000
No misconduct found
Location
House Law Office
(608) 820-8631
Mobile
(608) 338-0009
Fax
139 W. Wilson Street, Suite 108, Madison, WI, 53703
DaneDefense.comGallery
J. Steven House's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
72 Client Reviews
Filter Avvo Reviews (72)
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Practice Areas
What Clients Mention
Case Results (56)
Advocacy (37)
Recommendation (25)
Professionalism (24)
Practice Area Knowledge (17)
General Knowledge (15)
Responsiveness (15)
Cost of Services (14)
Communication Style (12)
Character & Conduct (8)
Compassion (7)
Trustworthiness (6)
Punctuality (3)
Free Consultations (2)
Payment Plans (1)
Showing 1 - 5 of 17 reviews | Practice Area Knowledge
Posted by Rollie | March 19, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense
Fantastic Defense
Attorney House was able to put a defense together for my father that was dealing with medical issues outside of his case and would not have faired well in jail for months. He was able to get one charge dropped and reduced sentencing close to the minimums. Communication, availability and pricing...
Posted by anonymous | April 12, 2023 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense
Excellent Hire
I contacted Mr. House for a criminal drug offense I was charged with. As a first time offender, I was nervous and did not know how to proceed. Mr. House walked me through the process and answered any questions I had along the way. He handled almost everything for me and followed up as needed with eve...
Posted by Nichole | February 18, 2022 | Hired Attorney | Speeding & Traffic Ticket
Fantastic
Mr House was able to help my husband with a traffic/license problem . He was very professional and answered all our questions quickly (we had a lot) . He was very thorough and got the job done! Highly recommend him!
Posted by anonymous | August 16, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Speeding & Traffic Ticket
Traffic citation
J Steven house is a very professional and helpful lawyer. He helped me fight my traffic citation and reduce the points so I could keep my job. I cant thank him enough and reccomend him to anyone
Posted by anonymous | July 21, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Immigration
Professional, Accurate, Compassionate, Effective, Patient
I was lucky enough to have Mr. House as my lawyer to help me handle my (case over the past year. With his help, we were able to get a result that I can only hope for the best. He has broad knowledge and more importantly, he knows where his knowledge ends and would refer me to someone who are more spe...
J. Steven House's Lawyer Endorsements
"Great Lawyer! I highly endorse this lawyer."
"Attorney House is a generous and insightful colleague. He's well respected in the local legal community, and for good reason: He's gracious with his time, intuitive with his feedback, and goes the extra mile to foster collegiality among the local defense bar. I unhesitatingly endorse Atty. House."
"Steven has the necessary intellect, personality, and experience. I would recommend his services in handling any criminal matter."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Steven House is a great attorney. He knows the law and never stops working for his clients. A great attorney to have on your side!"
"I endorse this lawyer. I worked with Stephen for many years. I admire his zealous and enthusiastic advocacy. He truly loves to challenge the government and to fight for his clients."
"I strongly endorse Steven. He is thorough, meticulous, and truly cares about getting the best possible results for his clients."
"Attorney House is one of the best lawyers in the State for defending drugged driving cases. I have been impressed with his knowledge and his willingness to assist other attorneys with their drugged driving cases."
"I endorse Steven. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community."
"Steven House is an excellent attorney. He is highly intelligent and capable of handling complex and difficult cases for his clients."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I have known Attorney House for several years. He's a consummate professional and a leader within the Dane County defense bar. I gladly endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Steve is tenacious both in and out of court. Further, he is creative and leaves no stone unturned for his clients. I would not hesitate to recommend him to a friend or family member in need, or use his services myself. I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer.I first contacted Mr. House because he had written a very useful and informative article in the Champion which is the Magazine of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. The article was on confidentiality for alcohol and other drug abuse programs guaranteed by federal law. The article helped me tremendously. I was thrilled to see Steve moved to Wisconsin after writing that article. He is an authority on driving under the influence of controlled substances. When Steve has something to say on the matter of driving under the influence of controlled substances, people listen including lawyers. He is very educated on the subject and seems to have a mastery of it. I know he has great trial experience in multiple areas. I've sought out and been impressed by his cross examinations. I would strongly recommend Steve."
"Steven is an excellent lawyer and shined as a public defender. Steven was very helpful to me early in my career. He is a lawyer who cares about his cases and clients. As a result, he fights the government - which is what any criminal defendant needs. If you are charged with a crime in Wisconsin, you should hire Steven."
"I endorse this lawyer. Steven and I worked on a matter with co-defendants in a rather elaborate drug house case. Steven was knew his job and his case inside and out. He is a very gifted attorney who truly understands his profession as well as an ability to help his clients to get the best result possible."
"I have known Mr. House for many years. He is a thoughtful, dedicated and extremely intelligent person. He has been very successful as an attorney, and I am confident he will see continued success. I recommend him to anyone who needs an uncompromising advocate on their side."
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Experience
Honors
2025
Super Lawyer - Criminal Defense, Super Lawyers
2020
Super Lawyer - Criminal Defense, SuperLawyers
2020
Client's Choice, Avvo
2020
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2018
Five Star client satisfaction rating, Google
2016
Client's Choice Award, Avvo
2013
Client's Choice Award, Avvo
2012
NHTSA Field Sobriety Test Administration Certifiction, Platt and Associates
1999
Harno Fellow, University of Illinois College of Law
1999
Magna Cum Laude honors, University of Illinois College of Law
1994
Honors Society in Philosophy, Phi Sigma Tau
Work Experience
2010 - Present
Owner-Attorney, House Law Office
2009 - 2010
Attorney, Mays Law Office, LLC.
2006 - 2008
Owner-Attorney, Law Office of J. Steven House
2000 - 2006
Attorney, Knox County Public Defender Community Law Office
Associations
2014 - Present
National College of DUI DefenseAttorney Member
2013 - Present
Dane County Criminal Defense Lawyers AssociationTreasurer
2007 - Present
United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh CircuitAdmitted to Practice
2006 - Present
Wisconsin Association of Criminal Defense LawyersAttorney Member
2006 - Present
United States District Court for the Western District of WisconsinAdmitted to Practice
2006 - Present
Dane County Bar AssociationAttorney Member
2006 - Present
NORML Legal CommitteeAttorney Member
2005 - Present
National Association of Criminal Defense LawyersAttorney Member
2000 - Present
American Civil Liberties UnionMember
2006 - 2012
Dane County Criminal Defense Lawyers AssociationPast Secretary
2000 - 2006
Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense LawyersAttorney Member
Sample of Legal Cases
State v. Dale B.
Conviction vacated and case dismissed on post-conviction review.
State v. Andrew B.
Dismissal
State v. James M.
Convictions overturned on appeal
State v. Jill J.
Dismissal.
State v. Dexter W.
Not guilty verdicts on all charges at jury trial
State v. Dustin L.
Sucessfully withdrew prior plea and secured amended charge of drug possession.
Fitchburg v. Jessica S.
OWI amended to reckless driving.
Shorewood Hills v. Sam R.
OWI -THC dismissed with related THC and paraphernalia charges.
State v. Earline M.
Deferred prosecution on reduced charge.
State v. Charles G.
Felony stalking charge dismissed
Columbia County v. Micheal M.
Not guilty jury verdict on domestic battery allegation
Vill. of DeForest v. Daniel N.
OWI and OWI-THC dismissed
State v. Kevin R.
Perjury conviction reopened and dismissed
Waukesha v. Melissa H.
Not guilty jury verdict on OWI
State v. Alex O.
Not guilty jury verdict on domestic battery charge
State v. Antoine M.
Robbery by force and felony witness intimidation charges dismissed.
State v. Jeffrey G.
Felony drug charge reduced to misdemeanor, no jail and ultimately expunged.
State v. David T.
Probation in a presumptive prison case
State v. Jakeb M.
Deferred prosecution
State v. Jovahn H.
Dismissal of all felony charges
Sun Prairie v. Brian S. (appeal)
Dismissal of prosecutor's appeal of OWI/PAC dismissal.
City of Sun Prairie v. Brian S.
OWI and PAC charges dismissed at trial.
State v. Rance W. G.
Felony conviction vacted on appeal, search warrant results suppressed and motion for new trial granted
State v. Dexter L.W.
Felony substantial battery amended to misdemeanor offense.
State v. Luke T.G.
Domestic violence offense amended to county ordinance violation
State v. Ryan P. M.
Dismissal of domestic battery and deferred prosecution on disorderly conduct.
State v. Raymond G.H.
Narcotics delivery convictions overturned and vacated on appeal.
State v. Eddie G. E.
Dismissed on prosecutor's motion.
State v. David R. L.
Negotiated to be charged as a misdemeanor causing injury by driving under the influence of controlled substance
State v. Conner, 2009 WI App 143
WI Supreme Court petition for review granted.
Vill. of DeForest v. Roberta J. K
OWI/PAC 1st offense charges dismissed.
State v. Micah R. W.
OWI 2nd - THC dismissed, then amended to non-criminal reckless driving when re-charged.
State v. Alex G .S.
OWI 3d dismissed upon jury acquittal.
State v. Ronald E. H.
Dismissed on prosecutor's motion.
State v. Bradley J. D.
2nd offense OWI amended to reckless driving
State v. Duane B. B.
Dismissed on prosecutor's motion.
State v. Kong K. K.
Felony firearms offense reduced to misdemeanor disorderly conduct and a fine imposed as sentence.
State v. Jake D. K.
Possession w/ intent to deliever (>3-10 gr.) on heroin dismissed defense motion , plea to possession of narcotics negotiated to preclude further prosecution.
State v. David J. G.
OWI 3rd amended to non-criminal reckless driving.
State v. McGouey, 229 S.W.3d 668 (TN 2007)
TN Supreme Court overturned felony convictions.
Education
1999
University of Illinois College of Law
Juris Doctor
1994
Southern Illinois University, Carbondale
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2018
Dane County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
The science of THC metabolism and driving impairment in the defense of OWI-THC homicide/injury cases
2017
2017 Wisconsin Annual Drunk Driving Defense Seminar
Riding High: The Science of THC Impaired Driving and The Affirmative Defense in OWI-THC Injury/Homicide Cases.
2006
2006 State Public Defender's Annual Training Conference
HIPAA's Impact on Criminal, Juvenile, and Mentally Ill Clients
Publications
2009
Drunk Driving Defense 6th Ed., 2009 Supplment, by Lawrence Taylor and Steven Oberman, s. 11.07[G][2].
HIPAA - Evaluating the Applicability of HIPAA in a DUI Case
2007
The Champion magazine
Evaluating the Applicability of HIPAA in a DUI Case
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Top Contributor
J. Steven earned significant contribution points in 2020.
Legal Answers
Q&A
What can happen, facing a 3rd Owi when my second was 11 years ago.
19 Feb 2026
Q&A
How to handle a breathalyzer and DUI charge done after you had been home and were no longer driving?
04 Jan 2026
Q&A
Hello, I was arrested for a dui on Friday morning, can I drive still?
24 Aug 2025