In Wisconsin there are many different types of ordinances a person can receive. Ordinances can vary per the county you have a citation from. This page highlights a few common types of ordinances people could receive. 

Operating While Under the Influence, First Offense (OWI) 

In Wisconsin, a first OWI is not a criminal offense. Instead an OWI first is treated as an ordinance. The first step in fighting an OWI first citation is to enter a not guilty plea. Entering a guilty plea can vary by county but generally one must appear in court on their initial appearance date.

The exception to that is when respondent retains an attorney. Many times, a skilled traffic attorney can enter a not guilty plea without having to enter a physical appearance in court. 

Once a not guilty plea is entered, it is important to request discovery. When evaluating an OWI case on the ordinance level, one should gather discovery before considering whether to enter a guilty plea or go to trial. Requesting discovery means to request evidence that the county attorney plans to use against you if the case goes to trial.

It is important to request discovery, but equally important to understand what the discovery means. Having a skilled traffic attorney at your side can be essential to understanding whether you have any defenses available. Please call our office to set up a free 30 minute consultation.