OWI Lawyer in Menomonie, WI
If you have been charged with drunk driving in Menomonie, Wisconsin calls the offense OWI, Operating While Intoxicated, under Wis. Stat. § 346.63. DUI and DWI are terms from other states that Menomonie residents search out of habit, but the charge and the court are the same. Whatever you call it, your case will be heard at Dunn County Circuit Court, and the first call you make matters. Cohen Law Offices, based in Eau Claire about 30 minutes away, has defended drivers across Dunn County since 1991. Our phones are answered 24 hours a day.
Wisconsin OWI Penalties, By Offense Level
Penalties climb sharply with each offense, and Wisconsin uses a lifetime look-back, so an old OWI can elevate a new one.
A first OWI is a civil forfeiture, not a criminal charge, but it still carries fines of roughly $150 to $300 plus surcharges, 6 to 9 months of license revocation, and a permanent mark on your driving record. A second OWI becomes a criminal misdemeanor with 5 days to 6 months in jail, larger fines, 12 to 18 months of revocation, and a required ignition interlock device. A third offense raises jail exposure to as much as a year. A fourth or subsequent OWI is a Class H felony. An OWI causing injury or death is charged as a felony with prison exposure measured in years. Every one of these is defensible, and the level you are charged at is not always the level you end up convicted at.
Where Your Menomonie Case Is Heard
OWI cases in Menomonie move through Dunn County Circuit Court, 615 Stokke Pkwy, Menomonie, WI 54751. The process is faster than most people expect. Arraignment comes quickly, and the window to request a hearing on your license revocation is narrow. Miss it and revocation can take effect before your criminal case is even resolved. The administrative license case and the criminal case run on two separate tracks, and both need attention from day one.
What a Drunk Driving Attorney in Menomonie Looks At
An OWI charge is not an automatic conviction. We examine whether the traffic stop was supported by reasonable suspicion, whether field sobriety tests followed NHTSA-standardized procedure, whether the breath-test instrument was properly calibrated and administered, and whether the blood draw preserved a clean chain of custody. We also confirm that any prior offenses are correctly counted so your current charge is not improperly elevated.
Why Menomonie Clients Choose Cohen Law Offices
Michael R. Cohen holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell and has been named to Super Lawyers every year from 2018 through 2025. The firm was voted Best of the Chippewa Valley in 2024 and 2025 and is a member of Wisconsin Elite Defense. Knowing Dunn County's courts and prosecutors is part of the job, and it is how we build the strongest defense available locally.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between OWI, DUI, and DWI in Wisconsin?
There is no legal difference here. Wisconsin's statutory term is OWI, while DUI and DWI come from other states. If you were arrested for drunk driving in Menomonie, you are facing an OWI regardless of which term you searched.
What are the penalties for a first OWI in Menomonie?
A first OWI is a civil forfeiture with fines around $150 to $300 plus surcharges and 6 to 9 months of license revocation. It is not jail-eligible on its own, but it stays on your record permanently and can affect insurance and employment. Early legal help can protect your driving privileges.
How soon should I call a drunk driving attorney after an arrest?
As soon as possible, because the deadline to contest your license revocation is short and runs separately from the criminal case. The sooner an attorney reviews the stop and the testing, the more defense options remain open. Cohen Law Offices answers calls 24/7 at 715-514-5051.
Charged With OWI in Dunn County? Call Before You Do Anything Else.
Call Cohen Law Offices at 715-514-5051 any time, day or night.
