OWI Lawyer Serving Menomonie, WI — DUI / DWI Defense in Dunn County

If you've been charged with drunk driving in Menomonie, you may have seen this offense called OWI, DUI, or DWI. In Wisconsin, the statutory term is OWI — Operating While Intoxicated, defined under Wisconsin Statute § 346.63. DUI and DWI are terms from other states that Menomonie residents frequently search because they're more familiar. Whatever brought you here, if you're facing an intoxicated driving charge in Dunn County, the next call you make matters.

Cohen Law Offices — based in Eau Claire, about 30 minutes from Dunn County Circuit Court — has defended clients across Western Wisconsin since 1991. Our attorneys have represented clients in Dunn County at every level of OWI defense, from first offense to felony OWI with injury. Phones are answered 24/7.

Wisconsin OWI Penalties by Offense Level

First OWI Offense

A first OWI in Wisconsin is a civil forfeiture, not a criminal charge — but the consequences are real. Fines run $150–$300 plus surcharges, license revocation lasts 6–9 months, and some cases require an ignition interlock device. A first OWI lands on your driving record permanently and can affect employment, insurance rates, and CDL eligibility.

Second OWI Offense

A second OWI is a criminal misdemeanor: 5 days to 6 months in jail, fines of $350–$1,100 plus surcharges, 12–18 months of license revocation, and mandatory IID installation. Wisconsin's look-back period for prior OWIs is lifetime — an old OWI from years ago can elevate your current charge.

Third OWI Offense

Third offense OWI carries 45 days to 1 year in jail, $600–$2,000 in fines, 2–3 years of license revocation, and an IID requirement. A BAC of 0.15 or higher or aggravating factors push penalties further.

Fourth and Subsequent OWI — Felony

A fourth or subsequent OWI in Wisconsin is a Class H felony: 60 days to 6 years in prison, fines up to $10,000, 2–3 years of license revocation, and permanent CDL disqualification. These cases require the most experienced defense available in Dunn County.

OWI with Injury or Death

Causing great bodily harm while OWI is a Class D felony. Causing death is a Class D or E felony — prison terms of up to 25 years. These charges require immediate intervention.

Dunn County Circuit Court — How OWI Cases Move in Menomonie

OWI cases in Menomonie are handled at Dunn County Circuit Court, 615 Stokke Pkwy, Menomonie, WI 54751. The process moves faster than most people expect. Arraignments happen quickly after arrest, and the window to request a hearing on license revocation is narrow — missing it can mean automatic revocation before your case is resolved.

Our attorneys appear regularly in Dunn County and have direct experience with its OWI process, including the administrative hearing procedures that run parallel to the criminal case. These are two separate tracks, and both need attention from day one.

What We Look at in Every OWI Defense Case

An OWI charge is not an automatic conviction. There are multiple points in the process where a charge can be challenged:

• Traffic stop legality — was there actual reasonable suspicion for the stop?
• Field sobriety test administration — NHTSA-standardized procedures must be followed correctly for results to be admissible
• Breathalyzer calibration and administration — DataMaster results can be challenged if the device was improperly calibrated or the test administered incorrectly
• Blood draw procedures — chain of custody and proper collection technique affect admissibility
• Prior OWI history — ensuring prior convictions are properly pled and don't improperly elevate the current charge

Proven Results in Dunn County

Cohen Law Offices has achieved dismissals and favorable outcomes in Dunn County criminal cases, including State of Wisconsin v. I.L. (dismissal of felony child harm count, not guilty verdict on sexual assault of a child) and State of Wisconsin v. L.F. (all charges dismissed on pre-trial motions). Every OWI case is different and past results don't guarantee future outcomes — but knowing Dunn County's courts and prosecutors is part of the job.

Michael R. Cohen holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell and has been named to Super Lawyers from 2018 through 2025. Cohen Law Offices was also voted Best of the Chippewa Valley 2024 and 2025. We're a member firm of Wisconsin Elite Defense.

Charged with OWI in Dunn County? Call Before You Do Anything Else. 

The license revocation window closes fast. The sooner you have an attorney reviewing your case, the more options you have. Cohen Law Offices has been defending clients in Dunn County since 1991 — call 715-514-5051 any time, day or night.