Wisconsin Drunk Driving Charges & Penalties

What are the charges and penalties for a drunk driving offense in the state of Wisconsin?

Under Wisconsin law, penalties for drunk driving offense increase with the severity of the charge.

Charges

WI OWI 1 - First Offense Drunk Driving: Usually Noncriminal
WI OWI 2 - Second Offense Drunk Driving: Usually Misdemeanor
WI OWI 3 - Third Offense Drunk Driving: Usually Misdemeanor
WI OWI 4 - Fourth Offense Drunk Driving: Usually Misdemeanor
WI OWI 5 - Fifth Offense Drunk Driving: Usually Felony
WI OWI 6+ - Sixth & Subsequent Drunk Driving Offenses: Felony

Penalties

A first offense drunk driving charge will usually result in an arrest and issuance of a noncriminal fine and PAC-violation citation. As the number of drunk driving convictions increase, the subsequent charges usually result in larger fines and longer sentences to jail depending upon where the arrest occurs (in which county) and if there were any other collateral damages or injuries. Wisconsin courts often use sentencing guidelines, but judges are not required to sentence a convicted person according to those guidelines and often provide harsher fines and jail time, so penalties can and do differ from one county to another county. Courts consider the number of prior convictions when imposing a sentence.

Convictions

If you have already been convicted for drunk driving, Wisconsin law provides that you have an automatic right to appeal the conviction (see appeals). You can also appeal the sentence. In addition to the right to appeal a conviction to the Wisconsin Court of Appeals, you may have other challenges or relief available to you for the conviction or the sentence. (For an example, see Circuit Court Reverses Itself). Regardless of the circumstances of your conviction, you should always consult with an attorney who is experienced in appeals and post conviction challenges for drunk driving.

Helpful information:

Challenging prior drunk driving conviction
WI drunk driving law
WI felony drunk driving law
Wisconsin Penalties